Objective: Dilutional hyponatremia associated with liver cirrhosis is caused by impaired free water clearance. Several studies have shown that serum sodium levels correlate with survival in cirrhotic patients. Little is known, however, regarding the relationship between the degree of dilutional hyponatremia and development of cirrhotic complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the serum sodium level and the severity of complications in liver cirrhosis.

Methods: Data of inpatients with cirrhotic complications were collected retrospectively. The serum sodium levels and severity of complications of 188 inpatients were analyzed.

Results: The prevalence of dilutional hyponatremia, classified as serum sodium concentrations of

Conclusions: Hyponatremia, especially serum levels