title: Chemical dependency and hyperkalemia in adolescents and adults: supportive findings.
abstract: The present study was undertaken to explicate findings of elevated blood potassiums (K+) among inpatient addiction treatment patients. A higher mean blood K+ level was established to exist for these patients compared to reference groups. This was investigated by comparing "high" and "normal" K+ groups within our patient group on several demographic variables and on the usage of various drugs. Multiple regression analyses were computed in an attempt to predict K+ levels. Age alone was found to be the best predictor after elimination of nonsignificant variables. Adolescents and young adults may differentially favor substances that raise K+ levels. Elevated blood K+ levels among adolescents and young adults may alert practitioners to specifically explore substance use disorders.
authors.affiliation: Heartview Foundation, Mandan, ND 58554.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hanlon
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Espeland
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Knudson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012044:Regression Analysis; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D011188:Potassium