Sodium depletion and secondary hyperaldosteronism in outpatients with an ileostomy: a cross-sectional study
Creators: name: Rud, Charlotte Lock
name: Brantlov, Steven
name: Quist, Josephine Reinert
name: Wilkens, Trine Levring
name: Dahlerup, Jens Frederik
name: Lal, Simon
name: Jeppesen, Palle Bekker
name: Hvas, Christian Lodberg
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2023
Subjects: subject: Space Science
subject: Medicine
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Physiology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Immunology
subject: FOS: Clinical medicine
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Science Policy
subject: Hematology

description: Patients with an ileostomy may experience postoperative electrolyte derangement and dehydration but are presumed to stabilise thereafter. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of sodium depletion in stable outpatients with an ileostomy and applied established methods to estimate their fluid status. We invited 178 patients with an ileostomy through a region-wide Quality-of-Life-survey to undergo outpatient evaluation of their sodium and fluid status. The patients delivered urine and blood samples, had bioelectrical impedance analysis performed and answered a questionnaire regarding dietary habits. Out of 178 invitees, 49 patients with an ileostomy were included; 22 patients (45%, 95% CI, 31–59%) had unmeasurably low urinary sodium excretion (&lt;20 mmol/L), indicative of chronic sodium depletion, and 26% (95% CI, 16–41%) had plasma aldosterone levels above the reference value. Patients with unmeasurably low urinary sodium excretion had low estimated glomerular filtration rates (median 76, IQR 63–89, mL/min/1.73m<sup>2</sup>) and low venous blood plasma CO<sub>2</sub> (median 24, IQR 21–26, mmol/L), indicative of chronic renal impairment and metabolic acidosis. Bioelectrical impedance analysis, plasma osmolality, creatinine and sodium values were not informative in determining sodium status in this population. A high proportion of patients with an ileostomy may be chronically sodium depleted, indicated by absent urinary sodium excretion, secondary hyperaldosteronism and chronic renal impairment, despite normal standard biochemical tests. Sodium depletion may adversely affect longstanding renal function. Future studies should investigate methods to estimate and monitor fluid status and aim to develop treatments to improve sodium depletion and dehydration in patients with an ileostomy.IMPACT AND PRACTICE RELEVANCE STATEMENTSodium depletion in otherwise healthy persons with an ileostomy was identified in a few publications from the 1980s. The magnitude of the problem has not been demonstrated before. The present study quantifies the degree of sodium depletion and secondary hyperaldosteronism in this group, and the results may help guide clinicians to optimise treatment. Sodium depletion is easily assessed with a urine sample, and sequelae may possibly be avoided if sodium depletion is detected early and treated. This could ultimately help increase the quality of life in patients with an ileostomy. Sodium depletion in otherwise healthy persons with an ileostomy was identified in a few publications from the 1980s. The magnitude of the problem has not been demonstrated before. The present study quantifies the degree of sodium depletion and secondary hyperaldosteronism in this group, and the results may help guide clinicians to optimise treatment. Sodium depletion is easily assessed with a urine sample, and sequelae may possibly be avoided if sodium depletion is detected early and treated. This could ultimately help increase the quality of life in patients with an ileostomy.