RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Heat-related illnesses includes a range of manifestation starting from minor illness like heat rashes/ heat cramps to more complicated illness like heat exhaustion and the most severe heat stroke. Often derangements in biochemical parameters including metabolic acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, electrolytes, transminitis and renal dysfunction are noticed in patients with heat stroke. Objective: The present study was an attempt to compare the clinical and changes in biochemical parameters in exertional heat exhaustion and heat stroke patients among cadets from a military training centre admitted to an Armed forces hospital in South India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was carried out as a cross sectional comparative study among patients with heat exhaustion (n=30) and heat stroke (n=30) in a tertiary level Armed forces hospital located in Chennai. Simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Clinical and biochemical parameters of the study participants were examined. Statistical analysis: Means and proportions were calculated for continuous and categorical variables respectively. Difference in proportions were tested using chi square test and a p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: On examination most the patients had tachycardia, blood pressure and respiratory rate in normal ranges. Most of the patients were found having elevated liver enzymes (>90%). Hyponatremia was the most common electrolyte abnormality. Other abnormal biochemical parameters noted were hypokalemia and deranged renal parameters. Higher proportion of patients with heat stroke were found to have tachycardia, transaminitis and abnormal electrolyte and biochemical parameters as compared to those with heat exhaustion. CONCLUSION: Tachycardia, transaminitis and hyponatremia was widely observed in patients with heat related illness and these changes occur at higher rates in patients in heat stroke as compared to heat exhaustion.