Effect of hyponatremia on cancer patients' in-patient rehabilitation length of stay.

Abstract

e20626 Background: The incidence of hyponatremia in cancer patients has been reported as high as 47%. Hyponatremia is associated with gait and attention impairments, increased falls, increased risk of fractures, and osteoporosis. Our aim is to determine if hyponatremia impact cancer patients’ rehabilitation length of stay, functional outcome, and survival. Methods: Retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary cancer center on two hundreds and ninty-five patients who underwent inpatient cancer rehabilitation between January 27, 2009 through July, 31, 2010. Hyponatremia incidence, rehabilitation length of stay (LOS), functional independence measure (FIM) for ambulation and transfers, and survival information were collected. Results: The incidence of hyponatremia in cancer patients admitted to our inpatient rehabilitation unit was 41.4%. Median rehabilitation LOS for patients with mild (Na 130-134 mEq/L) and moderate-severe (Na<130 mEq/L) hyponatremia was 11 and 15 days, respectively, which was significantly longer than patients with eunatremia (10 days; P = .03). FIM change for ambulation and transfers during inpatient rehabilitation stay was not significantly different, nor was survival significantly different, between different patient groups. Conclusions: A high percentage of patients have hyponatremia upon admission to our inpatient cancer rehabilitation unit, and this is associated with a prolonged rehabilitation LOS.