ABSTRACT
High salt intake has been associated with adverse side-effects such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The amount of salt intake among the population of Saudi Arabia is not known. The objective of this study was to estimate the salt intake among residents of the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia by measuring 24-hour urinary sodium excretion. Urine samples were collected from 130 individuals aged over 14 years for measurement of levels of sodium and other electrolytes. A total of 87 samples met the criteria for accuracy and were analysed. Total mean 24-hour sodium excretion for the group was 140 [SD 49] mEq [153 [SD 52] mEq for males and 118 [SD 37] mEq for females]. These values exceed the recommended daily intake of sodium and may contribute to the risk of developing hypertension and cardiovascular disease in Saudi Arabia
ABSTRACT
Acute kidney injury is a serious complication after cardiac surgery. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of acute kidney injury and the associated risk factors following cardiac surgery at Dhahran health centre in eastern Saudi Arabia. All patients who underwent cardiac surgery between June 2005 and December 2008 were included. Of 293 patients who fulfilled the criteria and were included in the final analysis, 85 [29.0%] developed acute kidney injury. Using multivariate analysis, the factors significantly associated with acute kidney injury were age, diabetes, preoperative chronic kidney disease and emergent surgery. Mortality associated with acute kidney injury was 10.5% overall and 42.9% when dialysis was required. Acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery is a serious problem among patients in eastern Saudi Arabia. Measures to prevent this complication are essential