Hyponatremia as an independent prognostic factor in patients with terminal cancer

Detection of hypokalemia disorder and its relation with hypercalcemia in blood serum using LIBS technique for patients of colorectal cancer grade I and grade II

Cancer continues to be the most dangerous disease around the world; it causes electrolyte imbalance as well as metabolic changes. There is a complicated relationship between electrolyte disorder and cancer. Cancer patients commonly pass with abnormalities in serum electrolyte levels such as hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, and hypercalcemia. So, these electrolyte imbalances indicate the existence of paraneoplastic processes and help come to a more informed prognosis. Hypokalemia is defined as a serum potassium concentration below 3.5 mmol/L and it is the second common electrolyte imbalance seen in patients with malignant diseases. In this paper, the contribution of serum potassium concentration to tumor progression was studied by applying a promising and non-invasive technique called laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). It was found that there is a correlation between hypokalemia and the colorectal cancer problem. Also, significant serum potassium concentration differences were detected among two different stages of the same cancer and also between two groups of the same stage of a cancer held in common but one of them suffers from hypercalcemia. In addition, the optimum conditions of LIBS setup were arranged such that it will be suitable to work with serum samples on glass substrate.

Hyponatremia in lung cancer: Incidence and prognostic value in a Danish population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disorder in lung cancer patients, especially in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). It has been proposed as a prognostic indicator of higher mortality; however, data have been conflicting. Here, we determine the incidence and prognostic impact of pretreatment hyponatremia in a large Danish registry-based cohort of lung cancer patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data on lung cancer patients diagnosed from January 2009 to June 2018 in The Central Denmark Region were extracted from the Danish Lung Cancer Registry and combined with data on the pretreatment sodium level extracted from the clinical laboratory information system. Hyponatremia was defined as a sodium level <135 mmol/l. Cox proportional hazard models assessed the prognostic value of hyponatremia on overall survival (OS) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and patients with SCLC.

RESULTS

A total of 6995 patients with NSCLC and 1171 with SCLC were included. The hyponatremia incidence was 16 % among patients with NSCLC and 26 % among patients with SCLC. Hyponatremia was associated with an inferior OS in patients with NSCLC (<135 mmol/l: median 0.46 years (95 % CI: 0.41-0.51) vs. ≥ 135 mmol/l: median 1.05 years (95 % CI: 1.00-1.11)), p < 0.001; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.45 (95 % CI: 1.34-1.56)) as well as in patients with SCLC in (<135 mmol/l: median 0.67 year (95 % CI: 0.58-0.73) vs. ≥ 135 mmol/l: median 0.73 years (95 % CI: 0.67-0.78); p = 0.0035; adjusted HR = 1.21 (95 % CI: 1.04-1.41)).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of pretreatment hyponatremia is high in patients with SCLC as well as with NSCLC. Hyponatremia seems to be an independent predictor of inferior survival in lung cancer patients, especially in patients with NSCLC.

Electrolyte and acid-base disorders in cancer patients and its impact on clinical outcomes: evidence from a real-world study in China

Background: This study aims to delineate the incidence of electrolyte and acid-base disorders (EAD) in cancer patients, to figure out the risk factors of EAD, then to assess the impact of EAD on patients' in-hospital clinical outcomes.Methods: Patients with the diagnosis of malignancies hospitalized during 1 October 2014 and 30 September 2015 were recruited in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University in Shanghai of China. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and clinical data, including survival, length of stay and hospital cost, were extracted from the electronic medical record system. Electrolyte and acid-base data were acquired from the hospital laboratory database.Results: Of 25,881 cancer patients with electrolyte data, 15,000 (58.0%) cases had at least one electrolyte and acid-base abnormity. Hypocalcemia (27.8%) was the most common electrolyte disorder, followed by hypophosphatemia (26.7%), hypochloremia (24.5%) and hyponatremia (22.5%). The incidence of simple metabolic acidosis (MAC) and metabolic alkalosis (MAL) was 12.8% and 22.1% respectively. Patients with mixed metabolic acid-base disorders (MAC + MAL) accounted for 30.2%. Lower BMI score, preexisting hypertension and diabetes, renal dysfunction, receiving surgery/chemotherapy, anemia and hypoalbuminemia were screened out as the major risk factors of EAD. In-hospital mortality in patients with EAD was 2.1% as compared to those with normal electrolytes (0.3%). The risk of death significantly increased among patients with severe EAD. Similarly, the length of stay and hospital cost also tripled as the number and grade of EAD increased.Conclusion: EAD is commonly encountered in cancer patients and associated with an ominous prognosis. Patients with comorbidities, renal/liver dysfunction, and anti-tumor therapy have a higher risk of EAD. Regular monitoring of electrolytes, optimum regimen for intravenous infusion, timely correction of modifiable factors and appropriate management of EAD should not be neglected during anti-tumor treatment.

Prognostic factors for survival in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma

Background

Gastric cancer ranks as a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Information of prognostic factors related to gastric cancer are limited.

Aim

This study aimed to gather clinical data and prevalence of prognostic factors related to gastric adenocarcinoma in Thailand.

Methods and results

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand between January 2010 and July 2018. Gastric adenocarcinoma patients were enrolled and followed up for at least 5 years. Total of 210 gastric tumor patients were enrolled. One hundred patients were diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinomas (57 men and 43 women, mean age = 61.1 years). The leading presenting symptoms were weight loss (65%), followed by dyspepsia (54%) and UGI bleeding. Common clinical manifestations were thrombocytosis (26%), followed by syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH; 15%). Eosinophilia was present in early cancer (25.0% vs 6.5%, P = .123), while SIADH and thrombocytosis were more common in advanced stages (16.3% vs 0%, P = .602, and 28.3% vs 0%, P = .108, respectively). SIADH was significantly related to reduced 1‐year survival rate compared to normal serum sodium levels (21.4% vs 71.4%, OR 0.109, 95% CI 0.024‐0.497, P = .004). Five‐year survival rates were worse in patients with SIADH, but better in patients with eosinophilia compared to patients without these conditions (0% vs 27.8%, P = .058 and 20.0% vs 7.8%, P = .375, respectively).

Conclusion

Thrombocytosis and SIADH were common in gastric cancer. SIADH was significantly correlated with poor 1‐year survival. These clinical manifestations might be useful for predicting gastric cancer prognosis.

Clinical Characteristics and Analysis of Lung Cancer- Associated Acute Ischemic Stroke

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of lung cancer and acute ischemic stroke remains high in recent years, both of which occur mostly in people over 60 years old. In the present study, we aimed to further clarify the pathogenesis of lung cancer-associated acute ischemic stroke (LCA-AIS) by comparing and analyzing clinical characteristics of stroke patients with or without lung cancer.

METHODS

A total of 51 patients with lung cancer were selected as the case group (LCSG), and 78 patients without cancer history were adopted as the control group (SG). The data collected in this study included sex, age, traditional cerebrovascular disease risk factors (TCDRFs), blood test index, imaging findings, etiological typing, and prognosis evaluation. SPSS21.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Normally distributed data were analyzed by t-test, and count data were analyzed by chi-square test or exact probability method. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

In the case group, the levels of plasma D-dimer, fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs) and NIHSS, as well as the mRS score and mortality of patients, were higher, while the levels of RBC, Hb and Hcy were lower compared with the control group. Imaging findings showed that multivessel involvement was more common in the case group, and the infarcts were more likely to be multiple and involved in both the anterior and posterior circulations. The TOAST classification of LCSG was dominated by stroke of undetermined etiology (SUE) and stroke of other determined etiology (SOE). Statistical analysis showed that the patients were more likely to suffer from acute ischemic stroke within 1 year after the diagnosis of lung cancer (41 cases, 80.39%).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypercoagulability and acute multiple brain infarcts were more common in patients with LCA-AIS, and hypoproteinemia and hyponatremia were more likely to occur in these patients, leading to worse prognosis. Patients were most likely to have a stroke within 1 year after the diagnosis of lung cancer.

Hypernatremia at admission predicts poor survival in patients with terminal cancer: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Although palliative care providers, patients, and their families rely heavily on accurate prognostication, the prognostic value of electrolyte imbalance has received little attention.

Methods

As a retrospective review, we screened inpatients with terminal cancer admitted between January 2017 and May 2019 to a single hospice-palliative care unit. Clinical characteristics and laboratory results were obtained from medical records for multivariable Cox regression analysis of independent prognostic factors.

Results

Of the 487 patients who qualified, 15 (3%) were hypernatremic upon admission. The median survival time was 26 days. Parameters associated with shortened survival included male sex, advanced age (> 70 years), lung cancer, poor performance status, elevated inflammatory markers, azotemia, impaired liver function, and hypernatremia. In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, male sex (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–2.04), poor performance status (HR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.09–1.94), leukocytosis (HR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.47–2.66), hypoalbuminemia (HR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.49–2.73), and hypernatremia (HR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.18–2.03) emerged as significant predictors of poor prognosis.

Conclusion

Hypernatremia may be a useful gauge of prognosis in patients with terminal cancer. Further large-scale prospective studies are needed to corroborate this finding.

Prevalence of hyponatremia among older inpatients in a general hospital

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the incidence, clinical features, etiology, and mortality of hyponatremia in older inpatients and thus provide preliminary data for an epidemiological study.

METHODS

Hospitalized older patients diagnosed with hyponatremia at the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital during January 2013-December 2016 were stratified by serum sodium concentrations into mild (130- < 135 mmol/L), moderate (125- < 130 mmol/L) and severe hyponatremia groups (< 125 mmol/L). Etiologies, medication histories, hospitalization times, and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

During the indicated period, 4364 older patients with hyponatremia were hospitalized, including 2934 men and 1430 women with an average age of 84.6 ± 3.5 years (range 80-104 years). The prevalence of hyponatremia was 24.7%. An analysis of common primary diseases identified respiratory diseases as the most frequent (25.0%), followed by tumors (23.1%), cardiovascular diseases (19.9%), central nervous system diseases (8.9%), and orthopedic diseases (6.1%). PPIs (59.7%), loop diuretics (57.4%), potassium-preserving diuretics (29.5%), ACEIs/ARBs (20.0%), thiazide diuretics (12.5%), and NSAIDs (12.4%) were the drugs most commonly associated with hyponatremia. The in-hospital mortality rate was 11.7%. Aggravated hyponatremia led to a prolonged hospitalization time. Moreover, when compared with mild hyponatremia, moderate and severe hyponatremia were associated with significant increases in in-hospital mortality (ORs 1.89 and 2.66, respectively; 95% CIs 1.54-2.33 and 2.06-3.43, respectively; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Hyponatremia is a common complication in hospitalized older patients and is caused mainly by respiratory diseases, tumors, and cardiovascular diseases. Given the correlation between the degree of hyponatremia and prognosis, the early and accurate identification and treatment of this condition can reduce the associated morbidity and mortality.

Hyponatremia is associated with poor prognosis among patients with chest pain discharged from internal medicine wards following acute coronary syndrome-rule-out

BACKGROUND

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality observed in clinical practice. Among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), serum sodium levels are inversely associated with mortality risk. We assessed associations of serum sodium level with ACS and mortality in patients with chest pain.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used clinical data from a large, academic hospital. All adults admitted with chest pain and without hypernatremia and discharged after ACS rule-out from January 2010 through June 2016 were included. The primary endpoint was the composite of 30-day ACS and mortality. Secondary endpoints were a hospital admission due to ACS and mortality in the first year following discharge.

RESULTS

Included were 12 315 patients (mean age 58.2 ± 13 years, 60% male). Patients were classified according to the serum sodium (Na) level: hyponatremia, defined as less than 135 mEq/L (n = 289, 2.3%); 140 > Na ≥ 135 mEq/L (n = 8066, 65.5%), and 145 > Na ≥ 140 mEq/L (n = 3960, 32.2%). Patients with serum sodium more than 145 mEq/L were excluded. Among patients with hyponatremia, low-normal, and high-normal levels, rates of the composite outcome of unadjusted 30-day all-cause mortality and ACS admission were 4.5, 1.0, and 0.7%, respectively (P < 0.001). Unadjusted one-year ACS rates were 3.8, 1.5, and 1.4%, respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Hyponatremia is associated with higher mortality and ACS risk among patients with chest pain who were discharged from internal medicine wards following ACS-rule-out. Sodium level may be included in the risk stratification of patients with chest pain.

Weighing the prognostic role of hyponatremia in hospitalized patients with metastatic solid tumors: the HYPNOSIS study

Previous works linked low sodium concentration with mortality risk in cancer. We aimed at weighing the prognostic impact of hyponatremia in all consecutive patients with metastatic solid tumors admitted in a two-years period at our medical oncology department. Patients were included in two cohorts based on serum sodium concentration on admission. A total of 1025 patients were included, of whom 279 (27.2%) were found to be hyponatremic. The highest prevalence of hyponatremia was observed in biliary tract (51%), prostate (45%) and small-cell lung cancer (38.9%). With a median follow-up of 26.9 months, median OS was 2 months and 13.2 months for the hyponatremia versus control cohort, respectively (HR, 2.65; P < 0.001). In the multivariable model, hyponatremia was independently associated with poorer OS (HR, 1.66; P < 0.001). According to the multivariable model, a nomogram system was developed and validated in an external set of patients. We weighed over time the influence of hyponatremia on survival of patients with metastatic solid tumors and pointed out the possibility to exploit serum sodium assessment to design integrated prognostic tools. Our study also highlights the need for a deeper characterization of the biological role of extracellular sodium levels in tumor development and progression.

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion and Leser-Trélat syndrome as uncommon paraneoplastic manifestations of renal malignancy - a geriatric experience: a case report

Background

Leser–Trélat syndrome, which manifests as eruptive multiple seborrheic keratoses, is a rare paraneoplastic sign. Hyponatremia in the elderly population is an often overlooked but potentially sinister biochemical abnormality. Cancer-related causes of hyponatremia include syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, cerebral or renal salt wasting, and adrenal dysfunction. We report a case of an elderly man who presented with both syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion and Leser–Trélat syndrome, and was eventually found to have renal malignancy.

Case presentation

A 74-year-old indigenous Malaysian man with underlying chronic kidney disease presented with recurrent admissions for hyponatremia with parameters indicative of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, constitutional symptoms, and diffuse skin lesions suggestive of multiple seborrheic keratoses. A radiological workup revealed metastatic renal cell carcinoma with evidence of metastasis to the brain, adrenal glands, bone, and lungs.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, renal malignancy presenting as syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion and Leser–Trélat concurrently is rare. The causes of hyponatremia in the elderly, approach to investigation, and value as a poor prognostic marker in malignancy are highlighted. We also discuss Leser–Trélat syndrome, its pathophysiology, and its possible implications on clinical practice.

Prognostic significance of preoperative neutrophilia on recurrence-free survival in meningioma

Background

Meningioma is the most common primary intracranial tumor and recurrence is one of the important challenges in patient management. Prognostic factors for tumor recurrences in these patients especially before surgical resection are not fully characterized. Several studies have indicated an association between changes in hematologic laboratory parameters with patient outcomes in solid malignancies. We aimed to assess the association between hematologic parameters and tumor recurrence in patients with meningioma.

Methods

Preoperative complete blood count (CBC) data were analyzed in patients with newly diagnosed meningioma (n = 222). Clinical data, including history of corticosteroid therapy, tumor characteristics, and follow-up, were obtained. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models and log-rank tests.

Results

Using preoperative CBC data from patients prior to any steroid therapy, 51 (23%) patients had neutrophilia. In univariate analysis, neutrophilia was significantly associated with meningioma recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 2.73; P < 0.01). Neither leukocytosis nor lymphocytosis was associated with RFS. In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for tumor grade, tumor size, and extent of resection, neutrophilia remained an independent prognostic factor for RFS (HR 2.23, P = 0.01). Forty-six (21%) patients had low hemoglobin levels indicative of anemia, and the presence of anemia showed a trend toward high risk for recurrence (HR 1.83; P = 0.06).

Conclusions

The presence of neutrophilia was associated with higher rate of tumor recurrence in patients with meningioma. Validation of these results and the biologic role of neutrophilic inflammatory/immune reaction in meningioma requires further investigation.

Hyponatremia normalization as an independent prognostic factor in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with first-line therapy

The aim of the study was to assess, for the first time, the prognostic role of hyponatremia and sodium normalization in patients receiving first-line chemo- or targeted therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Four hundred thirty-three patients with advanced non small cell lung cancer were treated with first line chemo- or targeted therapy between 2006 and 2015 at our institutions. Patients were stratified in two groups, with or without hyponatremia (group A and B, respectively). Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox regression model was carried out for univariate and multivariate analyses.

Sixty-nine patients (16%) presented with hyponatremia at the start of first-line therapy. The median OS was 8.78 months in Group A and 15.5 months in Group B (p < 0.001), while the median PFS was 4.1 months and 6.3 months respectively (p = 0.24). In Group A, median OS was significantly higher in patients who normalized their sodium levels (11.6 vs. 4.7 months, p = 0.0435). Similarly, the median PFS was significantly higher in patients who normalized their sodium levels (6.7 vs. 3.3 months, p = 0.011). At multivariate analysis, sodium normalization was an independent prognostic factor for both OS and PFS.

Sodium normalization during first-line therapy is an independent prognostic factor for OS and PFS in patients with advanced lung cancer treated with first-line therapies. Frequent clinical monitoring and prompt treatment of hyponatremia should be emphasized to optimize the outcome of these patients.

Prevalence of hyponatremia in inpatients with incurable and life-limiting diseases and its association with physical symptoms-a retrospective descriptive study

PURPOSE

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte abnormality seen in hospitalized patients. It may cause a variety of symptoms and is associated with longer hospitalizations and higher mortality. However, to date, only little is known about the extent of hyponatremia in patients with incurable diseases and whether it is associated with physical symptoms in this patient group. This study aims to describe the prevalence of hyponatremia, associated symptoms, and symptom intensity in inpatients with hyponatremia receiving specialist palliative care (SPC).

METHODS

This is a retrospective study. Demographic and clinical data as well as symptoms, scored symptom intensity, and laboratory values were collected. All inpatients of a large German University Hospital receiving SPC in 2013 with documented sodium values were included.

RESULTS

In 2013, 789 inpatients received SPC of which 710 had documented sodium values. The prevalence of hyponatremia was 38.7% (275/710). A mild degree showed 220 (31,0%), 44 (6.2%) had a moderate, and 11 (1.6%) a severe form. Hyponatremia patients experienced significantly more symptoms than normonatremic patients (mean = 7.71 vs 6.63; p < 0.001). Breathlessness, depressiveness, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, and weakness were significantly more frequent in patients with hyponatremia. Furthermore, hyponatremia severity was associated with higher symptom intensity (mean = 13.29 vs 11.28; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

More than one third of all SPC patients showed a hyponatremia, and the hyponatremia grade was associated with symptom burden and symptom intensity. A prospective analysis is needed to further examine this association and the possible influence of hyponatremia correction on symptom burden reduction.

A systematically structured review of biomarkers of dying in cancer patients in the last months of life; An exploration of the biology of dying

BACKGROUND

The Neuberger review made a number of recommendations to improve end of life care, including research into the biology of dying. An important aspect of the biology of dying is the identification of biomarkers as indices of disease processes. Biomarkers have the potential to inform the current, limited understanding of the dying process and assist clinicians in recognising dying, in particular how to distinguish dying from reversible acute deterioration.

OBJECTIVES

To critically appraise the literature on biological factors that may be used as prognostic indicators in advanced cancer patients and to identify candidate biomarkers of the dying process that can be measured serially in cancer patients' bodily fluids.

METHODS

A systematically structured review was conducted using three electronic databases. A hand search of six peer-reviewed journals and conference abstracts was also conducted. Studies reporting prognostic biomarkers in cancer patients with a median survival of ≤90 days and post-mortem studies were included. Final levels of evidence and recommendations were made using the Evidence Based Medicine modified GRADE system.

RESULTS

30 articles were included. Seven prognostic biological factors demonstrated Grade A evidence (lymphocyte count, white blood cell count, serum C-reactive protein, albumin, sodium, urea and alkaline phosphatase). An additional eleven prognostic factors were identified with Grade B evidence (platelet count, international normalised ratio, serum vitamin B12, prealbumin, bilirubin, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, pseudocholinesterase and urate). A number of biomarkers were specifically identified in the last two weeks of life but limitations exist. No post-mortem studies met the inclusion criteria.

CONCLUSION

The biology of dying is an important area for future research, with the evidence focused on signs, symptoms and prognostic factors. This review identifies a number of common themes shared amongst advanced cancer patients and highlights candidate biomarkers which may be indicative of a common biological process to dying.

Emergencies in Hematology and Oncology

The development of medical emergencies related to the underlying disease or as a result of complications of therapy are common in patients with hematologic or solid tumors. These oncological emergencies can occur as an initial presentation or in a patient with an established diagnosis and are encountered in all medical care settings, ranging from primary care to the emergency department and various subspecialty environments. Therefore, it is critically important that all physicians have a working knowledge of the potential oncological emergencies that may present in their practice and how to provide the most effective care without delay. This article reviews the most common oncological emergencies and provides practical guidance for initial management of these patients.

Pressure ulcers in palliative ward patients: hyponatremia and low blood pressure as indicators of risk

BACKGROUND

Prevention strategies for pressure ulcer formation remain critical in patients with an advanced illness. We analyzed factors associated with the development of pressure ulcers in patients hospitalized in a palliative care ward setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study was a retrospective analysis of 329 consecutive patients with a mean age (± standard deviation) of 70.4±11.8 years (range: 30-96 years, median 70.0 years; 55.3% women), who were admitted to the Palliative Care Department between July 2012 and May 2014.

RESULTS

Patients were hospitalized for mean of 24.8±31.4 days (1-310 days, median 14 days). A total of 256 patients (77.8%) died in the ward and 73 patients (22.2%) were discharged. Two hundred and six patients (62.6%) did not develop pressure ulcers during their stay in the ward, 84 patients (25.5%) were admitted with pressure ulcers, and 39 patients (11.9%) developed pressure ulcers in the ward. Four factors assessed at admission appear to predict the development of pressure ulcers in the multivariate logistic regression model: Waterlow score (odds ratio [OR] =1.140, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.057-1.229, P=0.001), transfer from other hospital wards (OR =2.938, 95% CI =1.339-6.448, P=0.007), hemoglobin level (OR =0.814, 95% CI =0.693-0.956, P=0.012), and systolic blood pressure (OR =0.976, 95% CI =0.955-0.997, P=0.023). Five other factors assessed during hospitalization appear to be associated with pressure ulcer development: mean evening body temperature (OR =3.830, 95% CI =1.729-8.486, P=0.001), mean Waterlow score (OR =1.194, 95% CI =1.092-1.306, P<0.001), the lowest recorded sodium concentration (OR =0.880, 95% CI =0.814-0.951, P=0.001), mean systolic blood pressure (OR =0.956, 95% CI =0.929-0.984, P=0.003), and the lowest recorded hemoglobin level (OR =0.803, 95% CI =0.672-0.960, P=0.016).

CONCLUSION

Hyponatremia and low blood pressure may contribute to the formation of pressure ulcers in patients with an advanced illness.

The occurrence of hyponatremia and its importance as a prognostic factor in a cross-section of cancer patients

Background

Hyponatremia is prognostic of higher mortality in some cancers but has not been well studied in others. We used a longitudinal design to determine the incidence and prognostic importance of euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia in patients following diagnosis with lymphoma, breast (BC), colorectal (CRC), small cell lung (SCLC), or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Medical record and tumor registry data from two large integrated delivery networks were combined for patients diagnosed with lymphoma, BC, CRC, or lung cancers (2002–2010) who had ≥1 administration of radiation/chemotherapy within 6 months of diagnosis and no evidence of hypovolemic hyponatremia. Hyponatremia incidence was measured per 1000 person-years (PY). Cox proportional hazard models assessed the prognostic value of hyponatremia as a time-varying covariate on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

Hyponatremia incidence (%, rate) was 76 % each, 1193 and 2311 per 1000 PY, among NSCLC and SCLC patients, respectively; 37 %, 169 in BC; 64 %, 637 in CRC, and 60 %, 395 in lymphoma. Hyponatremia was negatively associated with OS in BC (HR 3.7; P = <.01), CRC (HR 2.4; P < .01), lung cancer (HR 2.4; P < .01), and lymphoma (HR 4.5; P < .01). Hyponatremia was marginally associated with shorter PFS (HR 1.3, P = .07) across cancer types.

Conclusions

The incidence of hyponatremia is higher than previously reported in lung cancer, is high in lymphoma, BC, and CRC and is a negative prognostic indicator for survival. Hyponatremia incidence in malignancy may be underestimated. The effects of hyponatremia correction on survival in cancer patients require further study.