RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The risk of hyperkalemia in COPD and asthma patients
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP PA4334
DO 10.1183/13993003.congress-2019.PA4334
VO 54
IS suppl 63
A1 Jukka Mäenpää
A1 Ulrika Emerath
A1 Stefan Sultana
A1 Marita Olsson
A1 Mats Carlsson
YR 2019
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/54/suppl_63/PA4334.abstract
AB Introduction: Hyperkalemia may lead to serious cardiac dysrhythmias and increased mortality (McDonald et al BMJ 2015;351:h4762). Heart and renal failure are common comorbidities in COPD patients. Both comorbidities and their associated treatments may be associated with increased risk of hyperkalemia. However, there is only limited information available on the prevalence of hyperkalemia in COPD patients and those with asthma.Aims and Objectives: The study evaluated the frequency of hyperkalemia (> 5.4 mmol/L) in COPD and asthma patients in five randomized clinical trials. In addition, the proportion of patients using drugs potentially causing hyperkalemia was determined.Methods: The AstraZeneca ARIADNE clinical study safety database was searched for potassium values of all COPD and asthma patients, who were divided in two age groups (< 65 years and > 65 years).Results: In 1747 COPD and 3232 asthma patients 6.7% and 1.2% had hyperkalemia, respectively. In patients > 65 years hyperkalemia frequency was 5.3% in COPD and 3.5% in asthma patients. However, in patients < 65 years hyperkalemia was observed in 8.7% of COPD and in 0.9% of asthma patients. Of all COPD and hyperkalemic COPD patients 29% and 41% were using drugs potentially causing hyperkalemia, respectively.Conclusions: The prevalence of hyperkalemia was higher in COPD patients than in asthmatics. Hyperkalemia was present most frequently in COPD patients < 65 years (8.7%). Identification of high-risk subgroups requires further evaluation. Approximately 2/5 of hyperkalemic COPD patients were using drugs causing hyperkalemia. COPD patients should undergo regular plasma potassium monitoring and review of concomitant drugs to reduce the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, PA4334.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).