Thuruthikattu Devan Unnikrishnan Kartha1, Praveen Keshav2
BACKGROUND
Hyponatraemia is a common electrolyte abnormality that can be seen in isolation or as most often as a complication of other medical illness. Clinically, hyponatraemia is often unrecognised when it develops slowly, whereas severe hyponatraemia particularly of rapid onset is associated with substantial morbidity and can be life-threatening. Hyponatraemia is one of the treatable causes of electrolyte disorder with neuropsychiatric manifestations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Patients detected to have severe/symptomatic hyponatraemia admitted in the Department of General Medicine and Surgery was included in the present study. All were evaluated by a detailed history, clinical examination and relevant blood investigations.
RESULTS
Among the study subjects, 51% were males, 84% of subjects were beyond 60 years of age with mean age of 69.94 years. Majority of them had acute onset. Alternation in the sensorium was the most common presentation (98%), followed by weakness.
CONCLUSION
Severe/symptomatic hyponatraemia is more common among the elderly population. Lower the serum sodium baseline level, higher the probability of severe grades of altered sensorium (coma, stupor) and convulsions.
