Sarcouncil Journal of Internal Medicine and Public Health

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infects human lung tissue cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), and the body’s sodium is an important factor for regulating the expression of ACE2. Through this study, we found that low blood sodium is significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. OBJECTIVE: Assess the incidence of Na and K in newly diagnosed COVID-10 ?infected patients without a previous history of diseases. ? Study the correlation between age and sex. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study that involved a recently newly diagnosed COVID-infected patient. Each patient was followed up prospectively ?for the duration of admission (two weeks), and random plasma Na and K was ?recorded for each patient at diagnosis, during the active infection (7-10 days from admission). The study was carried out in the Baghdad Teaching Medical City complex outpatient ?clinic. The study started in April 2021 and was completed in June 2021 (about three ?months).? RESULTS: The study included 60 patients, with a mean age of 45.9 ± 18.6 years, with a similar male-to-female ?ratio. Patients were negative for past medical and surgical history?. There was a significant change in blood Na levels in older than younger patients compared to normal values. No change has been found in K levels compared to normal levels of the reference range. CONCLUSIONS: There is an increased risk of hyponatremia in apparently normal newly ?diagnosed COVID-19 patients, which is more prevalent in males older than younger or female patients