Hyponatremia, IL-6, and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection: may all fit together?

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder encountered in clinical practice and is associated with an increased risk of overall mortality in in-patients [1]. The most common cause of hyponatremia is the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD), which accounts for up to 40–50% of cases, but the prevalence may be higher in some pathological conditions, such as subarachnoid haemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, and pneumonia [2]. Besides infectious diseases, several inflammatory conditions may be complicated by SIAD. In these situations, interleukin-6 (IL-6), released by monocytes and macrophages, plays a pathogenic role in causing electrolyte impairment by inducing the non-osmotic release of vasopressin [3].

Respiratory failure from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the leading cause of mortality in COVID-19 infection, but a secondary hyper-inflammation syndrome characterized by massive release of cytokines may contribute to fatal outcome, determining multiple organ failure [4]. IL-6 is one of the most important cytokines involved in COVID-19-induced pathology. Based on these data, tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against the IL-6 receptor, has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of seriously ill patients [5].

To evaluate the clinical impact of hyponatremia and its correlation with IL-6 levels, we retrospectively evaluated data from 52 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted from March 23, to April 22, 2020, at an Internal Medicine Ward of Careggi University Hospital, completely transformed into a COVID-19 Unit. Among the 52 patients, we excluded those who were pregnant (n = 1) or had, at admission, diarrhea (n = 4), acute renal failure (n = 8) or malignancy (n = 10).

Overall, 29 patients were included and divided into two groups: patients with a serum IL-6 level ≤ 10 pg/mL (the upper normal limit for the hospital lab, Invitrogen Termofisher Scientific) (n = 12, group 1) and patients with serum IL-6 level > 10 pg/mL (n = 17, group 2). We compared median age, gender, serum sodium concentration ([Na+]), and PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio at admission.

The lowest [Na+] detected was 128 mEq/L (range 128–145 mEq/L).[Na+] and P/F ratio were significantly lower in group 2 (133.1 ± 3.5 vs 139.6 ± 2.4, p < 0.0001; 248 ± 88 vs 350 ± 69, p = 0.002, respectively, mean ± SD) (Fig. 1A). The median age was higher in group 2 patients (69.5 ± 14.4 vs 58.6 ± 13.9 years, mean ± SD, p = 0.05). Male (M) and female (F) gender was equally distributed in the two groups (9 M and 3 F in group 1; 12 M and 5 F in group 2).

Fig. 1

A Serum sodium concentration (Na) and PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P/F ratio) at admission in patients with serum IL-6 level <10 and >10 pg/mL; B Inverse correlation between serum IL-6 level (IL-6) and serum sodium concentration (Na); C Direct correlation between serum sodium concentration (Na) and PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P/F ratio) at admission; D Comparison between serum sodium concentration (Na) at admission and after 48 hours in patients with hyponatremia, treated or not (control) with tocilizumab

IL-6 was inversely correlated with [Na+], whereas [Na+] was directly correlated with P/F ratio (Pearson’s correlation test; Fig. 1B, C, respectively). The bivariate linear regression analysis showed that IL-6 and [Na+] were independently related to the P/F ratio (respectively, Beta = − 0.45, p = 0.016; Beta = 0.33, p = 0.048).

Furthermore, hyponatremia was associated with a more severe outcome (i.e., ICU transfer, NIV, death) at Fisher’s exact test analysis (53% vs 7%, p = 0.031). This association was confirmed by logistic regression analysis (OR = 14.8, 95% CI 1.5 ± 144.2, p = 0.02).

Among patients with hyponatremia at initial evaluation (n = 15), eight patients with abnormal IL-6 levels and rapid deterioration of respiratory functions were treated with an i.v. double dose of tocilizumab (8 mg/kg; maximum dose 800 mg). No significant [Na+] changes were observed at 48 h in patients who did not receive tocilizumab administration. Conversely, tocilizumab administration in hyponatremic patients with abnormal IL-6 levels was associated with a significant increase of [Na+] at 48 h (139.6 ± 2.4 vs 132.4 ± 1.8 mEq/L, mean ±  SD, p < 0.0001; Fig. 1D).

Admittedly, the series of patients reported here is limited, but it has to be considered that a number of patients had to be excluded from the analysis because of the presence of co-morbidities, which may be expected even in large series of COVID-19 patients. However, based on these original observations, we suggest that [Na+] might represent a readily available biomarker to be considered in the clinical protocols designed for COVID-19 patients. Low [Na+] appears to be inversely related to IL-6 and directly related to P/F ratio, an important index of respiratory performance. [Na+] measurements may be rapidly obtained by the lab or even promptly by hemogasanalysis, and definitively earlier than IL-6. Low [Na+] appears to be associated with a more unfavourable outcome and it may be hypothesized that [Na+] decrease indicates the presence of a more advanced disease. The significant increase of [Na+] after 48 h from the initiation of tocilizumab treatment further suggests the presence of an association between IL-6, vasopressin release and ultimately [Na+] itself. [Na+] is not currently considered among the inclusion criteria for initiating tocilizumab treatment. However, the right timing of administration might be of pivotal importance in determining the effectiveness of tocilizumab and we hypothesize that [Na+] might be of help in decision-making strategies.

In conclusion, we feel that the findings presented here, although preliminary, might be of interest for stimulating prompt and extensive further evaluation by the scientific community.