What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to determine the optimal sodium correction rates in hospitalized cancer patients with severe hyponatremia and their association with mortality outcomes.

March 28, 2026

Correction rates in severe hyponatremia, a retrospective analytic study: Implications in a cancer patient population

Key Result

Rapid sodium correction (>10 mEq/L/24 h) in cancer patients with severe hyponatremia was independently associated with lower in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR 0.58) compared to slower rates.

Key Points

This research aims to determine the optimal sodium correction rates in hospitalized cancer patients with severe hyponatremia and their association with mortality outcomes.
Retrospective cohort study of adult cancer patients with severe hyponatremia admitted to a cancer hospital.
Categorized patients based on 24-hour sodium correction rates: <6 mEq/L, 6–10 mEq/L, >10 mEq/L.
Assessed outcomes included in-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality, and length of hospital stay.
Used multivariable logistic regression models to analyze associations between correction rates and mortality.
45.5% of patients had correction rates <6 mEq/L/24 h, 24.7% had 6–10 mEq/L/24 h, and 29.8% had >10 mEq/L/24 h.
In-hospital mortality was higher in the slow correction group (54.1%) compared to rapid correctors (20.4%; p = 0.003).
30-day mortality was similarly higher for slow correctors (55.3% vs 20.6%; p < 0.001).
Rapid correction (>10 mEq/L/24 h) was found to be associated with lower in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR = 0.58).

Structured PICO

Does rapid sodium correction (>10 mEq/L/24 h) reduce mortality compared to slow correction (<6 mEq/L/24 h) in adult cancer patients with severe hyponatremia?

Population

Adult cancer patients with severe hyponatremia (serum sodium ⩽120 mEq/L)

Intervention

Rapid sodium correction (>10 mEq/L/24 h)

Comparator

Slow sodium correction (<6 mEq/L/24 h)

Outcome

In-hospital mortalityhard clinical

In hospitalized cancer patients with severe hyponatremia, rapid sodium correction (>10 mEq/L/24 h) is associated with improved survival without significant neurological complications compared to slow correction.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Background: Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disturbance among hospitalized cancer patients and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Optimal correction rates for severe hyponatremia remain debated, particularly in oncology populations where comorbidities and treatment-related factors complicate management. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult cancer patients admitted to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital p = 0.003; 30-day: 55.3% vs 20.6%; p 10 mEq/L/24 h was independently associated with lower in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.36–0.92; p = 0.021). One case of osmotic demyelination was identified. Conclusions: In hospitalized cancer patients with severe hyponatremia, slow correction (10 mEq/L/24 h) was linked to improved survival without significant neurological complications. Prospective multicenter studies are warranted to investigate the associations between the different etiologies of hyponatremia and mortality.

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