Prevalence and incidence of dysnatremia in European community-dwelling older adults—a secondary analysis of the DO-HEALTH trial
Authors' conclusion
Dysnatremia, previously linked to adverse outcomes in older adults, was observed in a non-negligible proportion of generally healthy, community-dwelling older individuals. These findings provide valuable epidemiologic data and identify subgroups that may warrant closer clinical attention.
Study context
- Population
- Community-dwelling, generally healthy adults aged 70 years and older in Austria, France, Germany, Portugal and Switzerland2,141 with baseline sodium data
- Participants
- 2,157 participants
- Primary endpoint
- Prevalence and incidence of dysnatremia (sodium <135 mmol/L [hyponatremia] or >145 mmol/L [hypernatremia])
- Follow-up
- Baseline prevalence; 3-year incidence
Methodological detailsobservational analysis, multicenter, 3-year, 5 European countries
- Observational analysis
- Multicenter
- 3-year
- 5 European countries
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Dysnatremia
- Baseline prevalence of dysnatremia
- 3.4%
- Baseline prevalence of hyponatremia
- 2.4%
- Baseline prevalence of hypernatremia
- 1.0%
- ≥1 episode of dysnatremia over 3 years
- 150 participants (7.0%)
- 3-year incidence of hyponatremia
- 3.8%
- 3-year incidence of hypernatremia
- 3.2%
Further findings
Baseline prevalence of dysnatremia by subgroup
- Aged ≥75 years (higher prevalence)
- 4.8%
- Using thiazide or thiazide-like diuretics (higher prevalence)
- 5.4%
3-year incidence of dysnatremia by subgroup
- Higher incidence among participants living in Switzerland, using thiazide or thiazide-like diuretics, and with prevalent dysnatremia at baseline
Original publication
Prevalence and incidence of dysnatremia in European community-dwelling older adults—a secondary analysis of the DO-HEALTH trial. Eur J Endocrinol. Published 30 April 2026. doi:10.
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