ABSTRACT
Background: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality encountered in cirrhotic patients. Recent studies have shown that hyponatremia was correlated with severity of cirrhosis and associated with increased risk of complications and mortality. However this relationship is still unclear. The aims of the present study were to search predictive factors for hyponatremia in cirrhosis and to assess its prognostic value
Methods: We performed a retrospective study, including consecutive cirrhotic patients admitted to our department between January 2011 and April 2014. Patients and cirrhosis characteristics were studied. Serum sodium levels were determined at admission. The cutoff level of 130 mmol/l was chosen because it is widely accepted to define hyponatremia in patients with cirrhosis. Predictive factors of hyponatremia development and its impact on the outcome [cirrhosis complications and survival] were evaluated
Results: We included 143 cirrhotic patients: 67 females [46.9%] and 76 males [53.1%] with a mean age of 58 years. Etiology of cirrhosis was mainly viral [56.7%]. Child-Pugh stage was B in 41.2% and C in 25.9%. Mean MELD score was 15 [6-40]. The prevalence of dilutional hyponatremia as defined by a serum sodium concentration 16 [OR=6.76; p=0.001]. Survival without complications was reduced in patients with hyponatremia but was only significant if a serum sodium concentration
Conclusion: Low serum sodium level was correlated with severity of cirrhosis. Hyponatremia was a negative prognostic factor associated with increased short-term morbi-mortality