The risk of hyperkalemia in COPD and asthma patients

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). 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 Conclusions: The prevalence of hyperkalemia was higher in COPD patients than in asthmatics. Hyperkalemia was present most frequently in COPD patients