title: Incidence of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) induced hyponatraemia due to the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion in the elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study determines the incidence of SSRI-induced hyponatraemia due to SIADH in an elderly psychiatric inpatient population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective case-note study.
  
  
  METHODS
  An acute old age psychiatry ward.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients admitted from January 1 to December 31, 1996.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographics, medication, psychiatric diagnoses, plasma sodium level and physical comorbidity were collected. Patients on SSRIs were selected and those developing hyponatraemia due to SIADH were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 32 patients taking SSRIs, four developed symptomatic hyponatraemia due to SIADH (12.5%). A further four developed asymptomatic hyponatraemia following introduction of an SSRI (12.5%), although laboratory confirmation of SIADH was lacking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of SSRI-induced hyponatraemia due to SIADH has not previously been established. This study shows a high incidence in elderly patients of this potentially dangerous complication. Clinical practice in the prescription of SSRIs to elderly people must change to include monitoring of electrolytes for early detection and reduction of morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care of the Elderly, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Bouman
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pinner
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D007177:Inappropriate ADH Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D012964:Sodium