HYPOKALEMIA IN THE ELDERLY - IS IT ALWAYS DIURETIC-INDUCED

Serum potassium was measured within 24 hours in 156 patients (48 male, 108 female) with an average age of 81.9 years admitted to the unit wi th acute illness. Of the 156 patients, 88 (56.4%) were taking diuretic s (none was on ACE inhibitors); 20 patients (12.8%) were also on digox in therapy. In ail, 24 patients (16%) had hypokalaemia and 3 (2%) hype rkalaemia. Hypokalaemia was seen in patients associated with acute ill ness. There was no significant difference between the diuretic and non -diuretic groups. Monitoring of serum potassium is not routinely indic ated to detect hypokalaemia in patients on diuretic therapy except in those with severe hepatic or renal impairment or those on digoxin.