The Association of Insulin-dextrose Treatment with Hypoglycemia in Patients with Hyperkalemia

Ljiljana Crnobrnja, Manogna Metlapalli, Cathy Jiang, Mauli Govinna, Andy K.H. Lim

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10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Treatment of hyperkalemia with intravenous insulin-dextrose is associated with a risk of hypoglycemia. We aimed to determine the factors associated with hypoglycemia (glucose < 3.9 mmol/L, or < 70 mg/dL) and the critical time window with the highest incidence. In a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary hospital network, we included 421 adult patients with a serum potassium ≥ 6.0 mmol/L who received insulin-dextrose treatment. The mean age was 70 years with 62% male predominance. The prevalence of diabetes was 60%, and 70% had chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2). The incidence of hypoglycemia was 21%. In a multivariable logistic regression model, the factors independently associated with hypoglycemia were: body mass index (per 5 kg/m2, OR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.69–0.99, P = 0.04), eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (OR 2.47, 95% CI: 1.32–4.63, P = 0.005), diabetes (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.33–0.98, P = 0.043), pre-treatment blood glucose (OR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.77–0.91, P < 0.001), and treatment in the emergency department compared to other locations (OR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.49–4.31, P = 0.001). Hypoglycemia occurred most frequently between 60 and 150 min, with a peak at 90 min. Understanding the factors associated with hypoglycemia and the critical window of risk is essential for the development of preventive strategies.

Original languageEnglish
Article number22044
Number of pages9
JournalScientific Reports
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Dec 2020

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