Objective:
To study the occurrence, causes, predisposing facto
rs and management of potassium abnormalities in a t
ertiary care hospital.
Methods:
Inour study which was for aduration of six months,
we recorded patient demographics, electrolyte level
s, complete blood picture, liver
function tests, renal parameters, comorbid conditio
ns, medication reconciliation and electro cardio gr
am (ECG) changes. The data was analyzed to
find out the cause for potassium abnormality and wa
s categorize based on their severity.
Results
: A total of 200 cases of potassium abnormalities w
as normalized during the study period. We observed
158(80%) cases with hypokalemia,
37 (17%) cases with hyperkalemia and 5 (3%) cases w
ith subsequent Potassium abnormalities. We observed
the majority of hypokalemiaare with
disease induced 87(55.06%) cases and 118 (74.0%) ca
ses were with mild hypokalemia. Syrup potassium chl
oride was used to normalize the serum
potassium levels. Majority of the hyperkalemia case
s were disease induced and was found in 19(51.35%)
cases and 22 (59.45%) cases come under
mild category which was managed with injection calc
ium gluconate.
Conclusion:
Hypokalemia was the most common potassium abnormalit
y seen in hospitalized patients. Disease induced po
tassium abnormalities
was found to be more common in both hypo and hyperk
alemia. The potassium levels were normalized with n
o major negative outcomes.
Continuous monitoring of electrolyte levels is requ
ired for the patient to prevent further complicatio
ns.