Julie Refardt

Adjunct prednisone therapy for patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND Clinical trials yielded conflicting data about the benefit of adding systemic corticosteroids for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. We assessed whether short-term corticosteroid treatment reduces time to clinical stability in patients admitted to hospital for community-acquired pneumonia. METHODS In this double-blind, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited patients aged 18 years or older with community-acquired pneumonia from seven tertiary care hospitals in Switzerland within 24 h of presentation. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to receive either prednisone 50 mg daily for 7 days or placebo. The computer-generated randomisation was done with variable block sizes of four to six and stratified by study centre. The primary endpoint was time to clinical stability defined as time (days) until stable vital signs for at least 24 h, and analysed by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00973154. FINDINGS From Dec 1, 2009, to May 21, 2014, of 2911 patients assessed for eligibility, 785 patients were randomly assigned to either the prednisone group (n=392) or the placebo group (n=393). Median time to clinical stability was shorter in the prednisone group (3·0 days, IQR 2·5-3·4) than in the placebo group (4·4 days, 4·0-5·0; hazard ratio [HR] 1·33, 95% CI 1·15-1·50, p<0·0001). Pneumonia-associated complications until day 30 did not differ between groups (11 [3%] in the prednisone group and 22 [6%] in the placebo group; odds ratio [OR] 0·49 [95% CI 0·23-1·02]; p=0·056). The prednisone group had a higher incidence of in-hospital hyperglycaemia needing insulin treatment (76 [19%] vs 43 [11%]; OR 1·96, 95% CI 1·31-2·93, p=0·0010). Other adverse events compatible with corticosteroid use were rare and similar in both groups. INTERPRETATION Prednisone treatment for 7 days in patients with community-acquired pneumonia admitted to hospital shortens time to clinical stability without an increase in complications. This finding is relevant from a patient perspective and an important determinant of hospital costs and efficiency. FUNDING Swiss National Science Foundation, Viollier AG, Nora van Meeuwen Haefliger Stiftung, Julia und Gottfried Bangerter-Rhyner Stiftung.

Impact of chronic hyponatremia on neurocognitive and neuromuscular function

Chronic hyponatremia is common and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, whether treatment improves outcome in patients without significant symptoms is unclear. We here assessed the therapeutic outcome on clinical symptoms, neurocognitive and neuromuscular function in patients with chronic non profound hyponatremia.

Copeptin levels and commonly used laboratory parameters in hospitalised patients with severe hypernatraemia - the “Co-MED study”

BackgroundHypernatraemia is common in inpatients and is associated with substantial morbidity. Its differential diagnosis is challenging, and delayed treatment may have devastating consequences. The most important hormone for the regulation of water homeostasis is arginine vasopressin, and copeptin, the C-terminal portion of the precursor peptide of arginine vasopressin, might be a reliable new parameter with which to assess the underlying cause of hypernatraemia.MethodsIn this prospective, multicentre, observational study conducted in two tertiary referral centres in Switzerland, 92 patients with severe hyperosmolar hypernatraemia (Na+ > 155 mmol/L) were included. After a standardised diagnostic evaluation, the underlying cause of hypernatraemia was identified and copeptin levels were measured.ResultsThe most common aetiology of hypernatraemia was dehydration (DH) (n = 65 [71%]), followed by salt overload (SO) (n = 20 [22%]), central diabetes insipidus (CDI) (n = 5 [5%]) and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) (n = 2 [2%]). Low urine osmolality was indicative for patients with CDI and NDI (P < 0.01). Patients with CDI had lower copeptin levels than patients with DH or SO (both P < 0.01) or those with NDI. Copeptin identified CDI with an AUC of 0.99 (95% CI 0.97–1.00), and a cut-off value ≤ 4.4pmol/L showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 99% to predict CDI. Similarly, urea values were lower in CDI than in DH or SO (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) or NDI. The AUC for diagnosing CDI was 0.98 (95% CI 0.96–1.00), and a cut-off value < 5.05 mmol/L showed high specificity and sensitivity for the diagnosis of CDI (98% and 100%, respectively). Copeptin and urea could not differentiate hypernatraemia induced by DH from that induced by SO (P = 0.66 and P = 0.30, respectively).ConclusionsCopeptin and urea reliably identify patients with CDI and are therefore helpful tools for therapeutic management in patients with severe hypernatraemia.Trials registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01456533. Registered on 20 October 2011.

Empagliflozin Increases Short-Term Urinary Volume Output in Artificially Induced Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis

Objective Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIADH) is the predominant cause of hyponatremia, but treatment options are unsatisfying. SGLT2 inhibitors increase urinary glucose excretion with concomitant osmotic diuresis. We therefore hypothesized SGLT2-inhibitors as a novel treatment for SIADH. Design Double-blind placebo-controlled randomised crossover study in 14 healthy volunteers. Methods We induced an artificial SIADH model by administration of desmopressin and overhydration. Afterwards, empagliflozin 25 mg or placebo was given in random order. The main outcomes were total urinary excretion, glucosuria, and the area under the curve (AUC) of serum sodium concentration. Outcome measures were obtained 2–8 hours after administration of study drug. Results 14 participants (64% males), BMI 23 kg/m2 (±2.4), aged 28.6 years (±9), completed the study. Empagliflozin led to significantly increased total urinary excretion (579.3 ml (±194.8) versus 367.3 ml (±158.8); treatment effect 158 ml (CI 48.29, 267.74), p = 0.017) due to glucosuria (74.18 mmol (±22.3) versus 0.12 mmol (±0.04); treatment effect (log scale) 2.85 (CI 2.75, 2.96), p < 0.001). There was no difference in the AUC of serum sodium concentration (treatment effect 0.2 (CI −7.38, 6.98), p = 0.96). Conclusion In our SIADH model, empagliflozin increased urinary excretion due to osmotic diuresis. Due to the short treatment duration, serum sodium levels remained unchanged. Real-live studies are needed to further examine empagliflozin as a new treatment for SIADH.

Artificial Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis Model as Potential Use for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies

Hyponatremia is the most frequent electrolyte disorder with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIADH) being its predominant cause. Physiological studies in patients with SIADH are difficult to interpret due to usually several comorbidities and polymedication. Therefore, a SIADH model in healthy volunteers would be very helpful to allow insight in this complex disease and to test new therapeutic approaches. The aim of the study was to create a SIADH model with evaluation of subsequent physiological changes.The prospective interventional study on 14 healthy volunteers was carried out at the University Hospital Basel. The intervention was done by induction of hypotonic hyponatremia through hydration and administration of desmopressin. Clinical and laboratory parameters in a SIADH model were the main outcome of the measure.14 participants (64% males), BMI 23.1 kg/m2 (±2.4), aged 28.6 years (±9), completed the study. Through the intervention, serum sodium level decreased from 140 mmol/l (±1.3) to 132 mmol/l (±2.0) and serum osmolality from 286 mmol/kg (±4.7) to 267 mmol/kg (±3.5). Simultaneously urine osmolality increased to 879 mmol/kg (±97.7) and urine sodium to 213 mmol/l (±51.5) verifying the artificial SIADH model. A significant decrease of copeptin (5 pmol/l (±1.9) to 2.6 pmol/l (±0.5), p 0.002), aldosterone (314.7 pmol/l (±154.1) to 86.7 pmol/l (±23.6), p 0.019), and renin (21.2 ng/l (±26.7) to 3.6 ng/l (3.2), p 0.035) were noted, while NT-proBNP and MR-proANP significantly increased (31.7 ng/l (±18.6) to 50.5 ng/l (±33.0), p 0.001; 48.4 pmol/l (±16.8) to 56.8 pmol/l (±9.0), p 0.003).In conclusion, we were able to induce an artificial SIADH in healthy volunteers and study the changes of various hormonal biomarkers involved. This SIADH model could be helpful in evaluating diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.