Potassium Disorders in Diabetic Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Poor Glycemic Control Associated with Hyperkalemia: A Single Center Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the incidence of hyperkalemia in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Also, to establish the effect of blood sugar control and duration of DM and CKD on the development of
hyperkalemia in this group of patients.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Nephrology Outpatient Department (OPD), Liaquat
National Hospital Karachi, Pakistan over one year from January 2022 to December 2022.
Methods: Data were collected from endocrine and nephrology outpatient departments. Blood analysis was
performed for serum potassium, HbA1C level, and serum creatinine level. SPSS version 21 was used to analyze
the data.
Results: One hundred and fifty-six (156) patients were included in this study. Ninty (90) patients were males &
66 patients were females. Hyperkalemia was noted in ninety patients (57.6%) with a serum potassium level of
5.8±0.1 mg/dl in these patients and was seen predominantly in male patients. The mean HbA1c level was
9.288+1.185%. However, no significant relationship between the duration of diabetes and hyperkalemia was
found. Most patients had stage IV CKD. Also, hyperkalemia is most commonly seen in stage IV CKD followed by
stage V CKD. No significant relationship between the duration of CKD and hyperkalemia was found. Sixty-five
percent (65%) of patients were taking medications that could lead to hyperkalemia and ACE/ARB were the most
commonly used drugs followed by NSAIDs and diuretics.
Conclusion: Patients with diabetes mellitus with CKD were found at significantly increased risk of hyperkalemia
importantly, patients with stage IV &V CKD and those who had poor glycemic control.