Clinical and aetiological profile of hyponatraemia in an intensive care unit in Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: Hyponatraemia is a fluid and electrolyte disorder frequently encountered in intensive care. The aim of our study was to identify the clinical and aetiological profile of hyponatraemia in intensive care.

Methodology: This was a prospective longitudinal analytical study conducted in the medical-surgical intensive care unit of the Douala General Hospital over a period of 7 months. Patients of both sexes, over 18 years of age, who consented to the study and were hospitalised in this department and presenting with hyponatraemia were included.
The variables studied were prevalence, sociodemographic data, characteristics of hyponatremia and associated factors. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 26 software.

Results: We admitted 142 patients. Of these, 66 presented with hyponatremia, a prevalence of 46.47%. The mean age of the patients was 49.97 ± 18.33 years. The most common age group was 30-40 years (22.72%). Males were the most common (54.55%; n=36). The clinical forms were normovolaemic (29 patients; 43.94%), hypovolaemic (22
patients; 33.33%) and hypervolaemic (15 patients; 22.73%). The main aetiologies were SIADH (28.78%), drugs (15.15%) and digestive losses (12.12%).

Conclusion: Hyponatraemia is common in intensive care units.Clinical and aetiological assessment is necessary for optimal management