[Moderate potentially drug-induced hyponatremia in older adults: benefit in drug reduction].
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed at evaluating the benefit of changing drug therapy in elderly patients with moderate, potentially drug-induced hyponatremia.


METHODS
Hospitalized older adults, with moderate hyponatremia, potentially induced by drugs, were randomized into two arms: an interventional group, whose drug therapy was changed, and a reference group, which received standard care. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated by the normalization of serum sodium after four weeks and by the incidence of falls three months later.


RESULTS
Nineteen patients were randomized, fourteen evaluated at 4 weeks. Serum sodium was normalized more frequently in the interventional group than in the reference group: 75% (6/8) IC95% [35-97] versus 0% (0/6) IC95% [0-46]; p=0.01. A greater reduction in falls occurred in the therapeutic intervention group 75% (3/4) IC95% [19-99] versus 0% (0/5) IC95% [0-52]; p=0.048.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed the biological and clinical benefit of a pharmalogical intervention. Registration number of the study: ID RCB 2010-A00778-31.
Service de Recherche clinique, CHU, Caen, France.
Laure
L
Peyro Saint Paul
Hôpital de Carentan, Carentan, France.
Jocelyne
J
Martin
Service de Recherche clinique, CHU, Caen, France.
Cathy
C
Gaillard
Service de Pharmacologie, CHU, Caen, France.
Brigitte
B
Mosquet
Service de Pharmacologie, CHU, Caen, France.
Antoine
A
Coquerel
Service de Pharmacologie, CHU, Caen, France.
Blandine
B
de la Gastine
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012964:Sodium