Prevalence of hypokalemia in peritoneal dialysis patients: Mahasarakham Hospital

Abstract

            Objective : The aim of  the present study was to examine the prevalence of hypokalemia in peritoneal dialysis patients and amount of  potassium supplements that the patients received.

            Materials and methods : A cross-sectional study was performed at Mahasarakham hospital from the year 2008  to 2010 on the peritoneal dialysis patients. The data of  hypokalemic patients were analyzed for sex, age, duration the patients were on peritoneal dialysis, underlying renal disease, duration for the first time they developed hypokalemia and amount of  potassium supplements that they received.

            Results : There were 97  patients who were on  peritoneal dialysis.  But  84  patients (prevalence of 86.6%) had hypokalemia at some time during their course.  There were 44 men and 40 women.  Their mean age were 51.4 + 12.5 years (range 25-73 years).  The patients were on  peritoneal dialysis for mean of  12.5 + 7.51 months (range 2-32 months). Hypertension and Diabetic nephropathy  were  more than 60% of underlying renal disease. They  had  been on dialysis for mean of  2.5 + 2.63 months (range 1-17 months) when hypokalemia developed for the first time. They received potassium for 7.5 + 6.42 months and were on potassium potassium supplements for 30.6 + 15.36 mEq/day, respectively.

            Conclusion : Hypokalemia is common in peritoneal dialysis patients. Additional studies  may be needed to investigate the cause and the benefit of potassium supplementation for peritoneal dialysis patients with hypokalemia.