Study on biochemical findings and status of acid-base disorder among the patients attending Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital.

Introduction: Acid base disorder is a condition characterized by alteration in blood pH by the imbalance between the components of blood leading to a life threatening situation. The aim of this study was to analyze the biochemical findings and the pattern of acid base disorder in critically ill patients. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on patients presented to emergency and other intensive care units of Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital. Arterial blood gas analysis of such patients was carried out by il5 blood gas and chemistry automated analyzer in the department of Biochemistry, clinical laboratory services. The data were analyzed in MS excel. Results: Arterial blood gas analysis of 1144 patients was done, 426 patients were normal without acid base disorder. Simple and mixed acid base disorder was observed in 332 and 386 patients respectively. The number of male and female suffering with the disorder was 403 and 315 respectively. Respiratory alkalosis was most common (134 cases) in simple acid base disorder whereas metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis (204 cases) was most common in mixed acid base disorder. All types of disorders were observed more in elderly people (41-60 and > 60 age group). Chronic obstructive disease was the most common (147 cases) diagnosis among the patients. Death was reported in 43 cases whereas 397 patients were discharged with cure and 278 were referred to higher centers. Conclusions: Acid base disorder was found to be more common in very ill patients in emergency and intensive care units. Mixed acid base disorder was the most common with male and elderly patients in predominance. Chromic pulmonary obstructive disease was the most frequent diagnosis in such patients. Death was observed more in mixed metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis.