ETIOLOGY OF HYPERKALEMIA IN-HOSPITAL INPATIENTS

Background. Hyperkalaemia is a common metabolic disorder; if left untr eated it can lead to life-threatening consequences. We conducted this study to determine the common aetiological factors for hyperkalaemia i n hospital inpatients. Methods. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in a referral teaching hospital in south India. One hun dred and forty-three patients with hyperkalaemia (>5 mEq/L) were selec ted on 20 random week days over a 3-month period. Ail the patients wer e clinically and biochemically evaluated for the aetiology of hyperkal aemia. Results. Hyperkalaemia was twice as common amongst males. Potas sium supplementation and drugs were the leading causes for hyperkalaem ia, with renal failure being a distant second. Hyperkalaemia developed after admission to hospital in more than 75% of the patients. Severe hyperkalaemia (>6 mEq/L) was seen in one-third of the patients. Conclu sion Potassium supplementation and other iatrogenic conditions lead to hyperkalaemia in inpatients. Males are at increased risk for hyperkal aemia.