Non-Hodgkin lymphoma associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (NHL-HLH) in adult secondary HLH is a common and universally highly lethal critical disorder. Hyponatraemia is the most common electrolyte disorder in the critical illness setting and acts as a negative prognostic factor. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic role of hyponatraemia among patients with NHL-HLH. The results showed that 81 (52.9%) patients had hyponatraemia. After a median follow up 47 (range 14-180) days, there were 72 (88.9%) cumulative deaths in hyponatraemia group while 50 (69.4%) in normonatremia group. After adjustment for confounders, multivariate analysis revealed that hyponatraemia was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR:1.51, 95% CI: 1.03-2.20; p = 0.033). Restricted cubic spline confirmed a linear and positive association between serum sodium and the risk of mortality. Hyponatraemia is relatively frequent in NHL-HLH. As a readily available biomarker in clinical routine, it was a promising prognostic predictor for NHL-HLH.
Keywords: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis; hyponatraemia; non-Hodgkin lymphoma; prognosis; survival.