Endocrine Abstracts

Hyponatraemia is the most common disorder of body fluid and electrolyte balance in hospitalised patients. This audit retrospectively assessed patients admitted to Sligo University Hospital (SUH) with hyponatraemia. The diagnostic tests employed were compared against guidelines published by the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE). The aim is to introduce a clinical aid for the diagnosis and management of hyponatraemia at SUH. The records of all patients admitted to SUH over a two-week period in January 2025 were evaluated. Pregnant patients, day-case presentations, paediatric patients and patients on dialysis were excluded. The diagnostic tests evaluated were serum osmolality, urine osmolality, urine sodium, thyroid function tests (TFTs) and cortisol. There were 437 admissions during the two weeks, and hyponatraemia was noted in 77 patients (18%). Of the patients with hyponatraemia, the mean age was 75 years, and 59 patients (77%) were admitted under a medical team. 55% had mild hyponatraemia, 36% moderate and 9% had severe hyponatraemia. Serum osmolality was checked in 18%, urine osmolality in 19% and urine sodium in 16% of the patients presenting with hyponatraemia. TFTs were checked in 22% and cortisol in 10% of the patients. 37 patients (48%) did not attain normal sodium levels prior to discharge. 6 patients (8%) did not have repeat sodium levels prior to discharge. Majority of patients admitted with hyponatraemia at SUH did not have the diagnostic tests recommended by the ESE guidelines. Proper diagnosis and identification of the aetiology of hyponatraemia is important in guiding treatment, in this patient cohort.