Major electrolyte disorder and associated factors among patients with chronic disease in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Alterations in electrolytes are associated with a number of clinical problems and prompt diagnosis of electrolyte disorder and treatment are crucial in the management of patients with chronic illness. Even though, major electrolyte disorders are common among patients with chronic diseases, the problem were not received enough attention. Thus, the aim of this review was to determine the pooled prevalence and associated factors of major electrolyte disorder among patients with chronic diseases. Methods The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar databases were searched by two authors (WCT and YAF) from January 15/2024 to January 22/2024 to identify articles reporting the prevalence of electrolyte disorders in patients with chronic disease in Ethiopia. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of electrolyte disorder. Important data were extracted with Microsoft Excel and then exported to STATA software version 11 (STATA Corp LLC, TX, USA) for analysis. Cochran's Q test at a significance level of less than 0.05 and the I-2 index were used to examine the statistical heterogeneity among the included studies. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of major electrolyte disorder due to the presence of heterogeneity. Results The finding of this review showed that, the pooled estimate of electrolyte disorder among patients with chronic diseases in Ethiopia was found to be 56.66% (95% CI: 44.54, 68.79, P < 0.001). Having no formal education (POR = 7.06, 95% CI = 1.35, 36.98), taking diuretic (POR = 4.41, 95% CI = 1.78, 10.91), patients with anti-diabetic medication (POR = 10.11, 95% CI = 3.45, 29.66), having a body mass index >= 30 kg/m(2) (POR = 6.99, 95% CI = 2.01, 5.93) and having uncontrolled blood glucose [POR: 7.09, 95% CI = 5.10-9.80) were factors associated with electrolyte disorders among patients with chronic diseases. Conclusion This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that the pooled electrolyte disorders among patients with chronic disease was significant in Ethiopia. Patients who had no formal education, taking diuretic, taking anti-diabetic medication, body mass index >= 30 kg/m(2), alcohol consumption and having high uncontrolled blood glucose were significantly associated with electrolyte disorders. Special emphasis on the status of serum electrolytes should be given for patients with chronic disease in those taking diuretic and anti-diabetic treatments and who are overweight. Trial registration: Prospero registration CRD42024579411.