DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i05.009

Pages: 1914-1920

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disturbance in the hospitalized elderly patients. It contributes significantly to the morbidity and mortality of older persons. Hence, early recognition and management is essential to improve the outcome. Therefore, this observational study was taken up to assess the clinical profile of hyponatremia and to identify the types and etiological factors of hyponatremia. Hundred elderly patients above 65 years of age admitted in the Medical intensive care unit and Geriatric Medical wards with serum sodium levels less than 135 mEq/litre were included in the study. The mean age is 72 years and male preponderance of cases seen (57%). The common co morbidities are hypertension (52) Diabetes Mellitus (28) CAD (18) CKD (11) hypothyroidism (4).The common symptoms included malaise, nausea, altered sensorium, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, Coma and cramps. Euvolemic hyponatremia (42%) is the most frequent type, hypervolemic (31%) and hypovolemic hyponatremia (27%). SIADH was the commonest cause (35 patients), renal (23) and GI loss (17). Among the drug related cause (10) diuretics is most common (8).The conclusion from the above study is hyponatremia occurs in patients with multiple co morbidities. Euvolemic hyponatremia was the most common type, with major contribution by SIADH. Diuretics are the common drug related cause. Hence they have to be used with caution in elderly.