The Impact of Hyponatremia

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder encountered in clinical practice and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Clinical consequences of hyponatremia include neurologic dysfunction, decreased mental function, cerebral edema, gait disturbances and falls, osteoporosis, and fractures. Hyponatremia can increase hospital length of stay by 1-2 days and correlates with an increased risk of intensive care unit admission. Thus, hyponatremia is associated with substantial economic and clinical consequences, as well as an increased risk of mortality, especially in individuals with very low serum sodium concentrations.