HDCN Abstract:  ASN Annual Meeting -- San Diego  

Kumar RN, Alam S, Salahudeen AK, et al.

The High Incidence of Hyponatremia in Patients Admitted to a Comprehensive Cancer Center: Causes, Severity and Implication for Patient Outcome.

ASN Annual Meeting -- San Diego
J Am Soc Nephrol (Nov) 20:427A 2009

Hyponatremia is defined as serum sodium concentration less than 136 mEq/L. Treatment strategies against cancer have dramatically changed with the use of more targeted therapy. There is limited comprehensive data analyzing the extent of hyponatremia in patients with cancer admitted to hospitals; data from studies of patients hospitalized in acute care centers have varied incidence from 1 to 30% depending on the definition of hyponatremia.

We obtained electronic data on 2960 patients admitted to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from May-July, 2006 to examine the extent of hyponatremia and its impact on patient outcomes.

The incidence of hyponatremia was 46.3% with 12.7% of the patients having sustained hyponatremia (peak sodium below 135mEq/L throughout admission and after discharge during time period). Based on its severity definition, the incidence of serum sodium concentration less than 110mEq/L was 0.03%, 111-125 mEq/L was noted in 1.9% and 126-134 mEq/L was noted in 44.3% of patients. The incidence rates of sustained hyponatremia with the different types of cancer are as follows: 13.2% in Prostate Cancer, 15.5% in Breast Cancer, 18.4% in Melanoma, 18.8% in Pancreas, 18.0% in Renal/Pelvis, 20.3% in Urinary Bladder, 21.2% in Esophagus, 22.5% in Lung/Bronchus, 21.0% in Ovaries, and 31.8% in Liver/Biliary and 11.1% in other cancer patients (2= 17.3, P value<0.001).

On the whole hyponatremia was 12.8% among malignant cancer patients compared with 5.4% in benign cancer patients. The in-hospital mortality was 22% in patients with hyponatremia versus 12% in non-hyponatremic patients. The odds of death during hospital admission for hyponatremia patients is 2.02 (P-valu=0.002, 95% CI; 1.3-3.2). In conclusion, there is a significant increase in hyponatremia in hospitalized patients with cancer and it is associated with a higher mortality rate. Whether hyponatremia is a significant contributor to mortality in this population is yet to be determined.

© Copyright 2009-2010 American Society of Nephrology.Reproduced with permission.
Until September of 2010 all ASN abstracts from the 2009 Annual Meeting are available at this link.

Disclaimer: Abstracts often have errors, both typographical and otherwise. This posting is an electronic translation of submitted abstracts which has not been verified against the original submitted abstract nor with the authors for accuracy. As a result, there may be errors, especially with regard to drug doses, but not limited to these. Abstracts undergo only limited review, and data often are changed as a result of the peer review process, so their reliability is less than manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals. In using these summaries, you are agreeing that you are aware of these limitations.

The materials are provided on an as-is basis without any warranty of any kind, either express or implied. In addition to errors, the information presented may be incomplete or outdated. The information contained is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for professional medical advice. You are advised to check the appropriate medical literature and the product information currently provided by the manufacturer of each device to be used or drug to be administered to verify the dosage, the method and duration of administration, or contraindications. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or other health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine drug, disease, and the best treatment for the patient.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, HDCN, ASN and their affiliates and suppliers disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any warranty of merchantability, non- infringement or fitness for a particular purpose.

In no event shall HDCN, ASN, or their affiliates or suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, but not limited to, direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive or exemplary damages, or any damages for loss of profits, use, data, goodwill or other intangibles) arising from or in any way relating to these terms, the materials, or any information, goods or services obtained from or referred to in the materials, whether based on warranty, contract, tort (including, but not limited to, negligence), or any other legal theory, and whether or not any or all of the limited entities is advised of the possibility of such damages.