Background: We are often left with the differential diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) versus hypovolemic hyponatremia. It is difficult to tell who will respond to isotonic saline infusion and who will not, if the urine sodium value is not completely suppressed (>10 mEq/L).
Aim: To examine the diagnostic accuracy of the urine sodium value.
Design: A retrospective observation.
Methods: The diagnostic accuracy of the urine sodium value was compared to that of a complete work-up and hospital course, including a response to saline infusion in patients with a final diagnosis of SIADH or hypovolemic hyponatremia. We also examined the diagnostic value of urine sodium-to-BUN ratio which should improve separation between SIADH and hypovolemia since the urine sodium and BUN move in opposite directions in these two conditions.
Results: The urine sodium value of 50 mEq/L was the most accurate in separating SIADH from hypovolemic hyponatremia: sensitivity 0.89, specificity 0.69, and accuracy 0.82. The diagnostic utility for SIADH versus hypovolemia, as quantified by the areas under the ROC curves, was not statistically different between urine sodium alone (0.89, 95% CI 0.77-0.96) and urine sodium-to-BUN ratio (0.93, 95% CI 0.83-0.98); p-value 0.33.
Conclusions: When the underlying cause is inconclusive between SIADH and hypovolemia, and when only basic laboratory results are available at the time of initial evaluation, the urine sodium alone will be adequate to guide initial fluid management. In contrast to traditional teaching, elevated urine sodium levels up to 50 mEq/L demonstrated clinically meaningful responses to isotonic saline infusion.
Hawaii Medical Journal Copyright 2010.