Hyponatraemia: an overview of frequency, clinical presentation and complications.

Ewout J Hoorn, Chris Thompson

Journal: Best practice & research. Clinical endocrinology & metabolism 2012;26 Suppl 1():S1-6

PMID: 22469246

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Hyponatraemia (defined as a serum sodium concentration <136 mmol/L) is the most frequently encountered electrolyte disturbance in clinical practice. It is classified according to volume status (hypovolaemia, hypervolaemia or euvolaemia), reflecting the relative proportions of water and sodium within the body. The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is the most common cause of euvolaemic hyponatraemia. Although hyponatraemia is associated with poor prognosis and increased length of hospital stay, it is often poorly managed and sometimes underdiagnosed and undertreated. This article provides an overview of the frequency, pathophysiology and complications associated with this common clinical condition.

Address: Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital and RCSI Medical School, Beaumont Road, Dublin 9, Ireland. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1016/S1521-690X(12)00019-X

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Hyponatremia, Inappropriate ADH Syndrome