Serum electrolytes and drug therapy of patients admitted to a geriatric department

: The distributions of sodium and potassium in the serum on admission, and the types of medicine used were studied retrospectively in hospitalized geriatric patients (n = 1418). Sodium concentrations below 130 mmol/l were found in 7.4% and potassium concentrations below 3.0 mmol/l in 5.0% of patients. Risk factors for low sodium concentrations were treatment with the combination of thiazide+amiloride, potassium-sparing diuretics, thiazides, emergency hospitalization and low body weight. Risk factors for low potassium concentrations were treatment with the combination of thiazide+amiloride, thiazides and female gender. On an average, patients were given two different drugs from specified groups both on admission and on discharge, but changes in medical treatment were often performed during the hospital stay. Prehospital treatment with thiazide diuretics and the combination of thiazide+amiloride was frequently withdrawn. 38% were given benzodiazepines on discharge. In 40.4% of these, treatment had been started during the hospital stay, most often on account of insomnia.