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Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm — A recent study from the Karolinska Institutet reveals alarming insights into the impact of global warming on public health, particularly concerning severe electrolyte imbalances in the blood. As temperatures rise and the population ages, the research indicates a potential surge in cases of severe hyponatremia, a dangerous condition characterized by low sodium levels in the bloodstream. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
The study, led by Issa Issa, a PhD student at the Department of Clinical Science and Education at Södersjukhuset, highlights that the risk of severe hyponatremia escalates dramatically during heatwaves. Notably, older adults, especially those aged 80 and above, are particularly susceptible; the risk of severe hyponatremia increases more than tenfold during extreme heat events. “Our results show that the risk of severe hyponatremia is stable between -10 and +15 degrees Celsius, but increases sharply at temperatures above 20 degrees,” Issa noted.
By modeling the projected increase in average temperatures—potentially rising by one to two degrees Celsius by 2050—the researchers estimate a staggering increase in hospital admissions due to hyponatremia: by 66% with a one-degree rise and by 73% with a two-degree rise. Hyponatremia can cause a range of symptoms, including nausea, dizziness, muscle cramps, and in severe cases, coma. Sodium is essential for maintaining normal blood pressure, supporting nerve and muscle function, and regulating fluid balance within the body.
The implications of this research are significant, particularly for healthcare providers. Buster Mannheimer, a senior lecturer at Karolinska Institutet and senior physician at Södersjukhuset, emphasized the need for increased awareness: “Knowledge about the risks of high temperatures may in the future motivate adequate information to the general population, but especially to the institutions that care for our elderly and frail patients; primary care, geriatrics, and perhaps most importantly, our nursing homes.”
To conduct this study, researchers analyzed millions of sodium measurements and demographic data from the adult population of Stockholm, correlating it with daily average temperatures over a 14-year period. During this time, over 50,000 instances of severe hyponatremia were documented, underscoring the scale of the issue.
Looking ahead, the research team aims to explore how additional environmental factors, such as air pollution, may further influence the risk of electrolyte imbalances and fluid regulation in humans.
This essential study has received funding from the Department of Internal Medicine at Södersjukhuset, the Region Stockholm Drug and Therapeutics Committee, and the Swedish Medical Association. No conflicts of interest have been reported.
Publication Details
“The Association of Outdoor Temperature with Severe Hyponatremia” by Issa Issa et al., Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, online October 14, 2024, doi: 10.1681/ASN.0000000519.
