Objective: This study aimed to look into the occurrence and aetiology of potassium abnormalities (hypokalemia and hyperkalemia) in hospitalised patients, as well as treatment options. Subjects and Methods: All hospitalized patients at the tertiary care centre who had at least one measurement of serum potassium throughout their stay were included in the study. The hospital records included information on electrolyte levels in the blood, demographic characteristics, admission reasons, drugs, the aetiology of potassium abnormalities, and treatment techniques. Results: A blood potassium anomaly was found in 1,265 (14.0%) of the 9,045 hospitalised patients; 604 (6.7%) had hypokalemia, and 661 (7.30%) had hyperkalemia. The most important explanations for hypokalemia were gastrointestinal losses in 555 (91.8%) patients and renal losses in 252 (41.7%) patients. Correcting the underlying cause and replenishing the potassium shortage were the most common therapy techniques. At hospital release, 319 (52.8%) of the 604 hypokalemic patients were normokalemic. Treatment with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers was the most common cause of hyperkalemia in 228 (34.4%) patients, followed by renal failure in 191. (28.8 percent ). Patients were observed for 298 days (45.0%) without receiving any specific treatment. At hospital discharge, 324 (49.0 percent) of the 661 hyperkalemic patients were normal. Conclusion: This study's prevalence of potassium imbalance was high among hospitalised patients. Although most of the potassium abnormalities were mild/moderate, about half of the patients treated for hypokalemia or hyperkalemia were discharged with persistent dyskalemia.
Key words: Hypokalemia, Hyperkalemia, Disease induced, Drug-induced, Potassium supplements
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