Diuretics and hyperkalaemia in diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) often presents with hyperkalaemia. We investigated whether it was more likely in patients taking potassium-retaining diuretics. A retrospective survey of all patients (552 cases) presenting in DKA between 1974 and 1984 was undertaken. Initial biochemical data were compared for patients recorded as taking potassium-retaining diuretics (7 cases) at the time of presentation with those taking potassium-losing diuretics (13 cases), and age matched control groups were selected from those who presented in DKA but were not taking diuretics. There was no significant difference in initial serum potassium levels between the diuretic treated groups. The serum sodium was higher in the control group than in the potassium losing group (p = 0.045) and the serum urea significantly lower (p = 0.045). We conclude that potassium-retaining diuretics do not predispose to hyperkalaemia in diabetic ketoacidosis.