Hyponatremia in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Rajasthan: An Observational Study

Introduction: Hyponatremia is one of the most common electrolyte disturbances of encountered in medical wards, dialysis unit, and medical intensive care unit (ICU). It is defined as sodium ion concentration < 135 mmol. ICU in patients with various comorbid conditions such as congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic kidney disease (CKD), liver cirrhosis, and diarrhea and vomiting. This contributes to substantial morbidity and mortality. However, early recognition and management drastically alters the prognosis. Objective: This study was conducted to explore the clinical profile of hyponatremia in medically ill patients. Materials and Methods: Study was conducted on 100 patients admitted in the medical unit from March 2013 to February 2014. All patients underwent clinical examination, routine hemogram, blood urea, sugar, creatinine, serum electrolytes, thyroid function tests, electrocardiogram, ultrasonography, and X-ray chest. Among the 100 patients, there were 65 male and 35 female patients. Results: Totally, 91 patients had serum sodium 135 meq/l and 9 patients had severe hyponatremia with serum sodium concentration <120 meq/l. In our study, 32 patients were out of CKD, 16 patients of CKD with CHF, 27 of CHF, 7 with liver cirrhosis and 18 patients of diarrhea and vomiting. 7 patients died of which 7 patients were of CKD and CHF, 6 of CKD only, 2 of diarrhea and vomiting. Conclusion: Hyponatremia is fairly common in patients admitted in medical wards, ICU, dialysis unit as patients with CHF, CKD, Liver cirrhosis, and diarrhea and vomiting hence early recognition and prompt treatment are of supreme importance in such patients.