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Correlation between Hyperkalemia and the Duration of Several Hospitalizations in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Vincenzo Calabrese1, Valeria Cernaro1, Valeria Battaglia1

  • 1Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|January 11, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Higher serum potassium levels in chronic kidney disease patients are linked to longer hospital stays. This association is particularly significant in advanced stages (G4-G5) of the disease.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) management involves monitoring serum electrolytes.
  • Serum potassium levels are a critical parameter in CKD patients.
  • Hyperkalemia is a known complication in CKD, impacting patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum potassium levels and hospitalization duration in CKD patients.
  • To determine if hyperkalemia is an independent risk factor for increased hospital length of stay.
  • To analyze this relationship specifically in advanced stages of CKD (G4-G5).

Main Methods:

  • Observational study design with a nine-month follow-up.
  • Patients categorized into two groups based on serum potassium levels (≤5.1 mEq/L vs. >5.1 mEq/L).
  • Statistical analyses included t-tests, Mann-Whitney, Chi-Square, correlation, and multivariable regression.

Main Results:

  • Patients with higher potassium levels had significantly lower eGFR and longer hospitalization days (p < 0.0001).
  • Hyperkalemia was identified as an independent risk factor for increased hospital length of stay.
  • In advanced CKD stages (G4-G5), hyperkalemia remained the sole independent risk factor for longer hospitalizations (p = 0.044).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated serum potassium levels are associated with a greater likelihood of prolonged hospital stays in CKD patients.
  • The impact of hyperkalemia on hospitalization duration is more pronounced in advanced CKD stages (G4-G5).
  • Monitoring and managing potassium levels are crucial for optimizing care and reducing healthcare utilization in CKD.

Keywords:
chronic kidney diseasehospitalizationhyperkalemiarenin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitorsserum potassium levels

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