Society for Endocrinology - a world-leading authority on hormones


Issue 131 Spring 2019

Endocrinologist > Spring 2019 > Hot topics


Hyponatraemia in community-acquired pneumonia

| Hot topics



Hyponatraemia is the most common inpatient referral to endocrinology services, and is frequently seen in cases of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

This prospective clinical study by Cuesta et al. aimed to determine whether hyponatraemia was linked to syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD) in CAP, and if it was best managed by fluid restriction. Of 1723 patients with CAP, 143 (8.3%) had hyponatraemia (sodium <130mmol/l); 66 (46%) had SIAD, 60 (42%) had hypovolaemic hyponatraemia, 13 (9%) had hypervolaemia hyponatraemia, and 4 (3%) had hyponatraemia due to glucocorticoid deficiency (GD). Sodium, plasma arginine vasopressin and antidiuresis fell with antibiotic usage in the SIAD group, without fluid restriction. Persistent hyponatraemia suggested underlying lung disease, such as bronchiectasis. It is noteworthy that 3% of patients had GD, reflecting the prevalence of inhaled steroid use, which needs managing with glucocorticoid replacement.

The authors suggest that fluid restriction therefore may not be the most appropriate management technique in CAP and SIAD, and that isotonic fluid may be appropriate, noting management should be based on careful patient assessment.

Read the full article in Clinical Endocrinology doi:10.1111/cen.13937




This Issue:

Spring 2019

Spring 2019

The Endocrinologist

...

Winter 2023

Winter 2023