Hyponatremia in hospitalized cancer patients: a three-month retrospective experience from Laghouat, Algeria

M Khireddine; Z.B Benlahreche; R Miloudi; A Djellaoui; S Ferhat; M Chiad

doi:10.34118/amr.v5i3.4877

M Khireddine Department of Medical Oncology, Amar Telidji University of Laghouat, Algeria
Z.B Benlahreche Department of Medical Oncology, Amar Telidji University of Laghouat, Algeria
R Miloudi Department of Medical Oncology, Amar Telidji University of Laghouat, Algeria
A Djellaoui Department of Medical Oncology, Amar Telidji University of Laghouat, Algeria
S Ferhat Laghouat Public Health Establishment, Laghouat, Algeria
M Chiad Department of Nephrology, University of Constantine 3, HMRUC, Algeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34118/amr.v5i3.4877

Keywords: Hyponatremia, cancer, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis, lung cancer, supportive care

Abstract

Background: Hyponatremia is the most frequent electrolyte disorder in hospitalized patients and is particularly common in oncology, where it has been associated with prolonged hospital stay, impaired treatment response, and reduced survival. Data from North African oncology settings are scarce.

Methods: We conducted a single-centre, retrospective, observational study in the Department of Medical Oncology of the Cancer Fighting Centre of Laghouat, Algeria, over a three-month period (April–June 2026). All patients admitted to the inpatient ward were screened. Hyponatremia was defined as a serum sodium concentration ([Na⁺]) <135 mmol/L on the admission sample and graded as mild (130–134), moderate (125–129), or severe (<125 mmol/L). Tumour type, admission diagnosis, length of stay, and in-hospital mortality were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used. No inferential comparison with normonatremic patients was performed due to the absence of systematically retrievable clinical data for that group.

Results: Among 68 hospitalized patients, 21 (30.9%) presented with hyponatremia on admission. Hyponatremia was mild in 10 (47.6%), moderate in 7 (33.3%), and severe in 4 (19.0%). The most frequent underlying malignancy was lung cancer (12 patients, 57.1%), followed by colorectal cancer (5, 23.8%), breast cancer (3, 14.3%), and hepatocellular carcinoma (1, 4.8%). The leading admission diagnoses were lower respiratory tract infection (10, 47.6%), global dehydration (4, 19.0%), febrile neutropenia (3, 14.3%), altered level of consciousness (3, 14.3%), and end-of-life care (1, 4.8%). Length of stay ranged from 3 to 10 days. Three patients (14.3% of the hyponatremic cohort) died during hospitalization.

Conclusion: In this retrospective cohort, hyponatremia was present in nearly one-third of admissions, with lung cancer being the most frequent tumour type. The distribution of admission diagnoses suggests SIAD and hypovolaemia as likely mechanisms, but this remains inferential in the absence of a standardized etiological work-up. These findings highlight the need for prospective studies with standardized diagnostic protocols and appropriate comparator groups.

References

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