Impact of Hyponatremia Severity on In-Hospital Outcomes among Elderly Patients
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Abstract
Background: Hyponatremia is common in elderly hospitalized patients and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The prognostic impact of hyponatremia severity in this population warrants a focused evaluation. This study aimed to assess the impact of hyponatremia severity on in-hospital outcomes in elderly patients.
Methods: This observational study was conducted in the Department of Internal Medicine at Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, over 12-month period of time. Elderly patients (≥60 years) with serum sodium levels of <135 mmol/L were included. Patients were categorized into mild, moderate and severe hyponatremia groups based on their serum sodium concentrations. Associations between severity and hospital outcomes, duration of hospital stay and age group were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 66 patients were analyzed. Severe hyponatremia was associated with higher in-hospital mortality and increased discharge risk bond compared with mild and moderate hyponatremia. Prolonged hospital stays were more common in patients with severe hyponatremia. Severe hyponatremia was also more frequently observed in patients aged > 70 years.
Conclusion: Hyponatremia severity is strongly associated with adverse short-term hospital outcomes in older adult patients. Severity-based assessment at presentation may facilitate early risk stratification and guide management strategies to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.