Hypokalaemia: an independent risk factor of Enterobacteriaceae peritonitis in CAPD patients

Hypokalaemia is a relatively common complication in uraemic patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The hazards of hypokalaemia are multiple and have been correlated with patient morbidity and mortality. Whether it is associated with increased risk of peritonitis remains to be addressed.

We retrospectively analysed our CAPD patients who had complicating peritonitis in a 2-year period. The influence of hypokalaemia on the clinical features of peritonitis was assessed. From September 2003 to August 2005, 140 unselected patients undergoing CAPD treatment and followed up in our hospital were recruited for the study. Hypokalaemia was defined as a serum potassium level <3.5 mmol/l. The impact of hypokalaemia on several clinical parameters, including the nutrition status, dialysis adequacy, occurrence of peritonitis and the etiologic pathogens, was analysed.

During the study period, 462 determinations (23.6%) were below quantity

CAPD patients with hypokalaemia are associated with a higher prevalence of peritonitis and poor nutritional status. Enterobacteriaceae were the predominant organisms causing peritonitis in the group with hypokalaemia. This unique and novel finding implies the translocation of these organisms from intestinal mucosa into the peritoneal cavity. A pathogenic mechanism linking malnutrition and hypokalaemia is also proposed.