Workshop 10

SIADH: the role of the laboratory in diagnosis

Dr Mourad Labib

Hyponatraemia is the most common electrolyte abnormality in hospitalised patients. Although there are many possible causes of hyponatraemia in these patients, hyponatraemia is often wrongly attributed to SIADH, which may lead to inappropriate management

An audit in my hospital showed that SIADH is overdiagnosed by doctors and that many were not familiar with the essential criteria required for diagnosing SIADH. A survey questionnaire distributed to junior doctors highlighted that many of them do not know how to investigate patients with hyponatraemia.

The laboratory has a major role in helping junior doctors with the investigation of cases of hyponatraemia. This morning session is intended to be interactive. Those attending the breakfast session will be asked to answer the same questionnaire mentioned above. A comparison will be made between the understanding of junior doctors and that of Clinical Biochemists! The intention is to develop a list of questions that clinical biochemists can use when advising doctors on cases of hyponatraemia.