Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2004) 7 P75

BES2004 Poster Presentations Diabetes, metabolism and cardiovascular (43 abstracts)

Characteristics and outcome of severe hyponatraemia - a case control study

GV Gill 1 , MSB Huda 1 , D Wile 2 , A Boyd 1 , K Skagen 1 , ID Watson 2 & C van Heynigen 2


1Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK; 2Department of Chemical Pathology, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK.


Hyponatraemia is one of the commonest biochemical abnormalities in hospitalised patients, and is generally associated with a poor outcome. Large controlled studies of severely hyponatraemic patients are however unusual. From our biochemistry laboratory database we prospectively collected all patients with a sodium (Na) <125 mmol/L over a 6 month period (n=104).For each hyponatraemic case, a normotraemic control was chosen as the next sequential patient in time on the laboratory database with a normal plasma Na. For each case and control, notes were examined and details extracted of age, sex, diagnosis, drug treatment, length of hospital stay and outcome. Hyponatraemia patients were older than controls - mean (+/-SD) age 69+/-14 vs 61+/-16,p<0.001.Chest infections (21% vs 11%, p<0.001), alcohol abuse (11% vs 3%, p<0.001), and diuretic use (14% vs 1%, p<0.001) were all over-represented in the hyponatraemic group. Mortality (27% vs 10%, p=0.009) and inpatient stay (16+/-12 vs 12+/-11, p=0.005) were both significantly higher in hyponatraemic patients. Thiazide diuretics were a particular risk factor for hyponatraemia (14% vs 1%, p<0.001).Degree of admission hyponatraemia did not influence mortality risk but the lowest plasma Na level did. Thus mortality in those with a lowest level from 120-124mmol/L was 23%, from 115-119mmol/L it was 30%, and <115mmol/L it was 50%.We conclude that hyponatraemia when severe (<125mmol/L) is associated with high mortality and prolonged hospitalisation. Hyponatraemia which deteriorates after admission appears particularly hazardous.

Volume 7

23rd Joint Meeting of the British Endocrine Societies with the European Federation of Endocrine Societies

British Endocrine Societies 

Browse other volumes

Article tools

My recent searches

No recent searches.