Potassium Abnormalities in Current Clinical Practice: Frequency, Causes, Severity and Management

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to investigate the prevalence and etiology of potassium abnormalities (hypokalemia and hyperkalemia) and management approaches for hospitalized patients. Subjects and Methods: Over a 4-month period, all hospitalized patients at Hacettepe University Medical Faculty Hospitals who underwent at least one measurement of serum potassium during hospitalization were included. Data on serum levels of electrolytes, demographic characteristics, cause(s) of hospitalization, medications, etiology of potassium abnormality and treatment approaches were obtained from the hospital records. Results: Of the 9,045 hospitalized patients, 1,265 (14.0%) had a serum potassium abnormality; 604 (6.7%) patients had hypokalemia and 661 (7.30%) had hyperkalemia. In the hypokalemic patients, the most important reasons were gastrointestinal losses in 555 (91.8%) patients and renal losses in 252 (41.7%) patients. The most frequent treatment strategies were correcting the underlying cause and replacing the potassium deficit. Of the 604 hypokalemic patients, 319 (52.8%) were normokalemic at hospital discharge. The most common reason for hyperkalemia was treatment with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers in 228 (34.4%) patients, followed by renal failure in 191 (28.8%). Two hundred and ninety-eight (45.0%) patients were followed without any specific treatment. Of the 661 hyperkalemic patients, 324 (49.0%) were normokalemic at hospital discharge. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of potassium imbalance among hospitalized patients. Although most of the potassium abnormalities were mild/moderate, approximately half of the patients treated for hypokalemia or hyperkalemia were discharged from the hospital with ongoing dyskalemia.

Electrolyte Disturbances in Critically Ill Children Admitted to Paediatric Tertiary Care Centre

“…However, a statistical significant association was not noted. In consonant with present study, Singhi et al [23] and Eylem Eliacik et al [20] noted significant increased length of hospital stay with dyskalaemia.…”

“…Hypokalaemia and hyperkalaemia in ICU has been observed at an incidence of 12% -15%. [7,[20][21][22][23][24] and 2% -6% [7,25,26] respectively. Potassium is necessary for the electrical responsiveness of nerve and muscle cells and for the contractility of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscle.…”

Relationship between serum total magnesium and serum potassium in emergency surgical patients in a tertiary hospital in Ghana

“…1,2 Deficiencies of these electrolytes are, however, not uncommon in hospitalised patients. Hypokalaemia has been found in 6.7 -20% of hospitalized patients 5,6 majority being surgical patients. While magnesium deficiency has been found in 7-11% of hospitalized patients 7 but it may be as high as 65% in Intensive Care patients.…”

Preoperative Diagnosis of Juxtaglomerular Cell Tumors in Eight Patients

“…For the patients with JCT, the mean systolic and diastolic pressures are listed in Table . According to Eliacik and colleagues, serum potassium levels can be classified as normal or hypokalemic. Normal serum potassium levels range between 3.5 mmol/L and 5.5 mmol/L.…”