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The pattern of plasma sodium abnormalities in an acute elderly care ward: A cross-sectional study

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Abstract

Introduction

The combination of ageing, illness, and medications can lead to hyponatraemia or hypernatraemia.

Aims

To describe the distribution of plasma sodium levels in older patients admitted to hospital.

Methods

We carried out a hospital based cross-sectional study examining 1,511 serum sodium concentrations ([Na+]) among 336 elderly patients and attempted to elucidate the cause(s) of the abnormal serum [Na+].

Results

The study population had a mean age of 81.4. Ninety-two (27.4%) patients had hyponatraemia and seven patients (2.1%) had hypernatraemia during their hospitalisation. The distribution of [Na+] results was towards the lower end of the normal range. The mortality rate of patients with hyponatraemia was 14.1% and that of patients with normal serum [Na+] was 8.9%. Six patients with hypernatraemia died in hospital. Lower respiratory tsuract infection and medication accounted for the majority of cases.

Conclusions

Deranged [Na+] is common among elderly patients admitted to hospital.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. South Munster Geriatric Training Scheme, Dept of Geriatric Medicine, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork

    K. A. O’Connor, P. E. Cotter, M. Kingston, C. Twomey & D. O’Mahony

Authors
  1. K. A. O’Connor
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  2. P. E. Cotter
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  3. M. Kingston
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  4. C. Twomey
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  5. D. O’Mahony
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to P. E. Cotter or D. O’Mahony.

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O’Connor, K.A., Cotter, P.E., Kingston, M. et al. The pattern of plasma sodium abnormalities in an acute elderly care ward: A cross-sectional study. Ir J Med Sci 175, 28–31 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03169169

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03169169

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