Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hyponatremia is common in tuberculous meningitis (TBM), but its impact on disease severity and outcomes is unclear. METHODS: In a cohort of 864 adult patients with TBM in Indonesia, we assessed the prevalence and prognostic significance of hyponatremia, classified as moderate (120-130 mEq/L) or severe (<120 mEq/L). Patients received standard antituberculous therapy and corticosteroids and were followed for 1-year mortality. RESULTS: Hyponatremia occured in 86.8% of patients, with 26% classified as severe. Severe hyponatremia associated with male, younger age, a lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and markers of more severe disease (P < .05). One-year mortality was 46.5% and associated with older age, HIV infection, lower GCS, markers of neurologic severity, fever, and thrombocytosis. Severe hyponatremia predicted mortality in univariate analysis showed no impact in HIV-positive patients. CONCLUSIONS: Hyponatremia reflects disease severity in TBM but does not independently predict mortality, suggesting limited benefit from agressive correction.