Urinary sodium/creatinine ratio is a predictor for fractional sodium excretion and related to age in patients with cystic fibrosis.

• Patients with cystic fibrosis are prone to electrolyte disturbances. • Guidelines state to monitor sodium status. • Sodium/creatinine ratio is an excellent surrogate marker for fractional sodium excretion. • Cut-offs for sodium/creatinine ratio are age related. Electrolyte disturbances are common in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Current guidelines on monitoring sodium status are based on research in a small group of infants and require blood sampling. The aim of this study was to evaluate urinary salt parameters as a surrogate for sodium-status in different age-groups. Blood and urine samples for electrolytes were collected from 222 patients followed at the Ghent University Hospital CF-center. Fractional sodium excretion (FENa) and several urinary parameters were calculated. Clinical characteristics did not differ according to sodium status, defined as FENa <0.5%. ROC analysis demonstrated that sodium/creatinine ratio (UNa/Creat) predicted the sodium status most accurately with high sensitivity and specificity (97 and 91% respectively). The UNa/Creat cut-off predicting a FENa <0.5% differed significantly according to age. The UNa/Creat is an excellent marker for the sodium status defined as a FENa <0.5%. However, different cut-offs according to age category should be applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]