ورقة علمية / Research Paper

Problem Statement Diuretics are widely used in managing heart failure but are associated with electrolyte disturbances, including hyponatremia and hypokalemia, which can worsen cardiac outcomes. In Sudanese hospitals, electrolyte monitoring is often limited, and local data on the prevalence and patterns of such abnormalities are lacking. Justification Identifying the prevalence and determinants of electrolyte abnormalities among diuretic-treated HF patients will guide safer prescribing practices, improve monitoring, and prevent adverse events. General Objective To determine the prevalence and types of electrolyte abnormalities in patients receiving diuretics for heart failure at Dongola Specialized Hospital. Specific Objectives 1. To determine the prevalence of hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and hypomagnesemia. 2. To identify risk factors associated with electrolyte abnormalities. 3. To assess the relationship between diuretic type, dose, and electrolyte disturbance. Methodology • Study Design: Hospital-based cross-sectional study. • Study Area: Dongola Specialized Hospital. • Study Population: Heart failure patients on diuretic therapy admitted to or attending the medical ward or outpatient clinic. • Sample Size: Calculated using a prevalence-based formula; expected around 100–150 patients. • Data Collection: Structured data collection form including demographic data, clinical information, medication type, and recent serum electrolytes. • Data Analysis: SPSS will be used; descriptive statistics and logistic regression will determine predictors. • Ethical Considerations: Ethical approval and patient consent will be obtained. Anticipated Outcomes Epidemiological Data: The study will provide the first localized data on the prevalence of hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and hypomagnesemia specifically within the Dongola region, identifying the scale of the clinical problem. Risk Profile Identification: By the end of the study, we expect to identify specific patient subsets (e.g., elderly patients or those on specific dosages) who are at the highest risk for life-threatening imbalances. Clinical Guidelines: Findings will serve as a basis for developing a standardized electrolyte monitoring protocol at Dongola Specialized Hospital to ensure safer diuretic administration. Reduced Morbidity: By highlighting the correlation between diuretic types and disturbances, the research will encourage preventative supplementation or dosage adjustments, potentially reducing re-hospitalization rates and cardiac arrhythmias. Foundation for Future Research: This data will act as a baseline for prospective studies evaluating the long-term impact of electrolyte management on heart failure mortality in Northern Sudan.

We will obtain written informed consent from every patient before any data is collected. All records will be anonymized by removing names and using unique ID numbers instead, ensuring that no individual can be identified in the final report. Access to the data will be strictly limited to the research team, and all personal information will remain completely confidential.

This study poses no significant risk to participants. It is an observational study that relies on routine clinical data.

The data will fill a significant gap in local medical knowledge, providing a foundation for improving heart failure treatment strategies throughout Sudan