Occurrence of Hyperkalemia in Patients with Chronic Kidney and Liver Diseases: Hyperkalemia in Chronic Kidney and Liver Diseases

Farzana Adnan Sheikh; Asma Razzak; Mehwish Qamar; Maria Qureshi

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v5i11.1805

Authors

Farzana Adnan Sheikh Department of Nephrology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Asma Razzak Department of Gastroenterology, Jinnah Medical Dental College (Medicare Cardiac General Hospital), Karachi, Pakistan
Mehwish Qamar Department of Nephrology, Dow University of Health and Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
Maria Qureshi Department of Nephrology, Karachi Institute of Kidney Disease, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v5i11.1805

Keywords:

Hyperkalemia, Chronic Kidney Disease, Chronic Liver Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension

Abstract

Hyperkalemia is a common and potentially life-threatening electrolyte imbalance in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Chronic Liver Disease (CLD), often exacerbated by comorbid conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Objective: To assess the frequency and risk factors associated with hyperkalemia in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from March 2024 to May 2024, including 120 adult patients diagnosed with CKD (stage 3 or above) or CLD. Data on demographics, disease duration, comorbidities, previous hyperkalemia episodes, and medication compliance were collected. Serum potassium levels were measured, with hyperkalemia severity classified as mild (K+ 5.0–5.5 mEq/L), moderate (K+ 5.5–6.0 mEq/L), or severe (K+ >6.0 mEq/L). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24.0, with Spearman correlation and Chi-square tests applied. Results: The average age of the patients was 53.33 years, with 55% being male. The mean serum potassium level was 5.42±0.92 mEq/L. Medication compliance was high in 74.2% of patients. Hyperkalemia was present in 70.8% of patients, with 22.5% exhibiting severe hyperkalemia. Significant association was found between severity of hyperkalemia and age (p<0.01). Hypertension (p=0.001) and diabetes mellitus (p=0.001) were significantly associated with severity of potassium levels. Conclusion: The study highlighted a high prevalence of hyperkalemia in CKD and CLD patients, significantly associated with age, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.

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