Prevalence of Electrolyte Imbalance Among Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH)

Electrolyte imbalance is one of the most common metabolic complications among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and is associated with prolonged hospitalization, poor treatment outcomes, and increased mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of electrolyte imbalance among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Tanzania. A quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed among breast cancer patients attending the Oncology Unit at MNH. Complete data from 110 participants were included in the final analysis. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical features, chemotherapy regimens, and serum electrolyte levels were collected using a structured data extraction form. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive statistics summarized the prevalence and patterns of electrolyte imbalance, while Chi square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to assess associations between electrolyte imbalance and clinical factors. The study found that electrolyte imbalance was highly prevalent among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and hypocalcemia were the most frequently observed electrolyte abnormalities. Patients with advanced-stage disease and those receiving combination chemotherapy regimens had a significantly higher likelihood of developing electrolyte imbalance (p < .05). The study concludes that electrolyte disturbances are common among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at MNH, emphasizing the need for routine electrolyte monitoring and timely intervention during cancer treatment.