Abstract
BackgroundHyponatremia is a common electrolyte disorder in inpatients related to morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aimed to examine whether there is a relationship between the incidence of hyponatremia and the seasons among the patients hospitalized in our nephrology department.MethodsThe inpatients in our Nephrology Department between 2012 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with serum sodium levels below 135 mmol/L were included in the study. Hyponatremia incidence was calculated as the proportion of inpatients with low sodium levels in a season to the total number of inpatients in the same season.ResultsOut of 1950 inpatients in four years, 509 were found to have hyponatremia (26.1%). The mean serum sodium level of the patients was 129.7±4.7 mmol/L. Hyponatremia incidences in autumn, winter, spring, and summer were found to be 28.7%, 15.4%, 20.4%, and 36.6%, respectively. Upon comparing the incidence of hyponatremia in patients hospitalized in winter and summer seasons, there was a significantly higher incidence of hyponatremia in summer (p<0.001). We found a positive correlation between hyponatremia incidence and temperature (r=0.867, p=0.001). However, there was a negative correlation between hyponatremia incidence and relative humidity (r=-0.735, p=0.001).ConclusionsThe highest hyponatremia incidence was observed in summer in a four-year period. Loss of sodium by perspiration, along with increased temperature and/or excessive hypotonic fluid intake, might contribute to the development of hyponatremia.
Highlights
Hyponatremia, which is generally defined as serum sodium concentration below 135 mmol/L [1], is a common electrolyte disorder that can affect approximately 30% of inpatients in hospitals [2]
We aimed to examine whether there is a relationship between the incidence of hyponatremia and the seasons among the patients hospitalized in our nephrology department
In addition to the studies evaluating the relationship between hyponatremia and warm weather [7, 8], there are studies revealing the relationship between hyponatremia and seasonal change in the literature [9, 10]
Summary
Hyponatremia, which is generally defined as serum sodium concentration below 135 mmol/L [1], is a common electrolyte disorder that can affect approximately 30% of inpatients in hospitals [2]. Serum sodium abnormalities due to high air temperature are common [6]. In addition to the studies evaluating the relationship between hyponatremia and warm weather [7, 8], there are studies revealing the relationship between hyponatremia and seasonal change in the literature [9, 10]. When the literature is reviewed, it is seen that there are conflicting results in studies on the relationship between seasons and the incidence of hyponatremia. We aimed to examine the relationship between the incidence of hyponatremia and seasonal change in inpatients in our nephrology department
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
