Hyperkalemia improvement leads to overall patient well-being
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Improved potassium levels impacted the physical and/or mental well-being of patients managing hyperkalemia, according to study results presented at the American Nephrology Nurses Association National Symposium.
“Hyperkalemia (HK) is a potentially life-threatening electrolyte disorder often associated with chronic kidney disease, diabetes and heart failure,” Adam Weinstein, MD, of the Renal physician Association’s Registry Workgroup, said. “While HK is frequently identified on laboratory data ... little is known about how HK impacts these patients and their activities of daily living.”
In a cross-sectional observational study, researchers recruited 302 adults with CKD and HK to examine awareness and perception of disease impact on daily life via a 37-item questionnaire. Study results showed most patients did not associate their conditions with high potassium, though 71% did report talking to a health professional about high potassium. Further, only 9% reported visiting a dietician though the top recommendation for managing potassium levels followed was change in diet and 14% reported their potassium levels were still too high despite improved HK and mental and/or physical well-being.
“From a medication perspective, we note that about a third of the patients responded that treating HK resulted in stopped or changed medications,” Weinstein concluded. “This suggests there is an opportunity for improved HK management, such that guideline or protocol-directed medication therapies can be maintained.”
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Weinstein, A. Understanding the Impact of Hyperkalemia on the Quality of Life and Treatment Experience For Patients with Kidney Disease. Presented at: American Nephrology Nurses Association National Symposium; Aug. 29-31, 2020 (virtual meeting).
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