BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests an association between hyponatraemia and falls. AIMS: To determine the association of hyponatraemia with admission-associated falls (i.e. falls as part of the presenting complaint or during admission) and predefined adverse outcomes of hospitalisation. METHODS: A case-control study of patients aged ≥65 years admitted with hyponatraemia during a 6-month period was conducted. The relevant data were collected by review of medical records and analysed in univariate and multivariate models. RESULTS: The prevalence of hyponatraemia was 22% and more likely to be associated with the admission diagnoses of cardiovascular (P = 0.04) and metabolic disorders (P < 0.001), use of diuretics (P = 0.037) and a higher Charlson comorbidity score (P = 0.035). Hyponatraemia was independently associated with admission-associated falls (odds ratio (OR) 3.12, confidence interval (CI) 1.84-4.38, P < 0.001). The increased odds of falling were similar for mild (OR 3.15, CI 1.75-5.66) vs moderate to severe hyponatraemia (OR 3.07, CI 1.57-6.03). Although hyponatraemia had a significant independent association with increased length of stay (LOS) (OR 1.48, CI 1.22-1.79, P < 0.001) and change in residential care status to a more dependent category at discharge (OR 4.28, CI 1.68-10.859, P = 0.002), it was not associated with mortality or time to first unplanned readmission. Hyponatraemia was significantly associated with the need for inpatient rehabilitation; however, this was no longer significant when adjusted for falls. CONCLUSION: Hyponatraemia is independently associated with increased risk of admission-associated falls. The degree of falls risk is similar regardless of the severity of hyponatraemia. Hyponatraemia is also an important determinant of many adverse outcomes of hospitalisation.
BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests an association between hyponatraemia and falls. AIMS: To determine the association of hyponatraemia with admission-associated falls (i.e. falls as part of the presenting complaint or during admission) and predefined adverse outcomes of hospitalisation. METHODS: A case-control study of patients aged ≥65 years admitted with hyponatraemia during a 6-month period was conducted. The relevant data were collected by review of medical records and analysed in univariate and multivariate models. RESULTS: The prevalence of hyponatraemia was 22% and more likely to be associated with the admission diagnoses of cardiovascular (P = 0.04) and metabolic disorders (P < 0.001), use of diuretics (P = 0.037) and a higher Charlson comorbidity score (P = 0.035). Hyponatraemia was independently associated with admission-associated falls (odds ratio (OR) 3.12, confidence interval (CI) 1.84-4.38, P < 0.001). The increased odds of falling were similar for mild (OR 3.15, CI 1.75-5.66) vs moderate to severe hyponatraemia (OR 3.07, CI 1.57-6.03). Although hyponatraemia had a significant independent association with increased length of stay (LOS) (OR 1.48, CI 1.22-1.79, P < 0.001) and change in residential care status to a more dependent category at discharge (OR 4.28, CI 1.68-10.859, P = 0.002), it was not associated with mortality or time to first unplanned readmission. Hyponatraemia was significantly associated with the need for inpatient rehabilitation; however, this was no longer significant when adjusted for falls. CONCLUSION: Hyponatraemia is independently associated with increased risk of admission-associated falls. The degree of falls risk is similar regardless of the severity of hyponatraemia. Hyponatraemia is also an important determinant of many adverse outcomes of hospitalisation.
Authors: Elizabeth A Fehlberg; Robert J Lucero; Michael T Weaver; Anna M McDaniel; A Michelle Chandler; Phyllis A Richey; Lorraine C Mion; Ronald I Shorr Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2017-08-07 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Saleem Al Mawed; V Shane Pankratz; Kelly Chong; Matthew Sandoval; Maria-Eleni Roumelioti; Mark Unruh Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-03-22 Impact factor: 3.240