Hyponatraemia: Epidemiology and aetiology in a tertiary care centre in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence, aetiology and epidemiology of hospitalized patients with hyponatraemia.

METHODS

Subjects were identified through hospital information system for two consecutive low sodium values (< 130 mEq/L) and charts were reviewed retrospectively. Possible etiologic factors were identified and co-morbidities documented. Management plans were also noted.

RESULTS

Among the hospitalized patients the incidence of hyponatraemia was 6.72%. The mean age was 54.8±14.8 years and there were 50% males. The mean serum sodium at presentation was 122 mEq/L. Most common causes were volume depletion (30.6%) and chronic kidney disease (22.6%). Most of the patients had two or more co morbidities. Hyponatraemia at presentation and improvement or worsening during hospital stay did not affect survival of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypervolaemic hyponatraemia was the most common presentation in our study.