[Risk for hyperkalemia during long-term treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in insulin-dependent type 2 diabetics in relation to the glomerular filtration rate].
OBJECTIVE
The risk for hyperkalaemia during therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is especially increased in the elderly diabetic because of a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), as well as the occurrence of hyporeninaemic hypoaldosteronism. We evaluated the risk for hyperkalaemia under long-term angiotensin-converting enyzme inhibition in 86 insulin-dependent type 2 diabetic patients in relation to their GFR.


METHODS
We compared the influence of a 3 to 6 months long treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on the serum potassium levels, the creatinine clearance and the urinary albumin excretion in insulin-dependent type 2 diabetic patients with an initial creatinine clearance < 50 ml/min/1.73m(2) (n = 15, age 66 +/- 6 years) and >/= 50 ml/min/1.73m(2) respectively (n = 71, age 61 +/- 10 years). In addition, we also investigated the influence on the metabolic control and the blood pressure values in both groups of patients.


RESULTS
In the patients with creatinine clearance >/= 50 ml/min/1,73m(2) the mean potassium level increased from 4.3 +/- 0.2 to 4.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/l (P < 0,01), while the incidence of a potassium level > 5 mmol/l was 17 %. In the group with a creatinine clearance < 50 ml/min/1.73m(2) the potassium level rose from 4.5 +/- 0.2 to 5.0 +/- 0.4 mmol/l (P < 0.01). The incidence of potassium levels > 5 mmol/l was 66 % (P < 0,01). In both patient groups the creatinine clearances did not change significantly during angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, and the urinary albumin excretion as well as the HbA(1c) values and blood pressure showed only a tendency towards a decrease.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in insulin-dependent type 2 diabetic patients leads to a significant increase in serum potassium. The incidence of hyperkalaemia with potassium levels > 5 mmol/l is significantly higher in the patients with initial creatinine clearance < 50 ml/min/1.73m(2). Severe hyperkalaemia with potassium levels > 6 mmol/l was not observed.
Raml
A
A
2. Medizinische Abteilung, Allgemeinen Krankenhauses, Linz, Austria.
Schmekal
B
B
Grafinger
P
P
Biesenbach
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000139:chemically induced; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003404:Creatinine / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006994:Hypoaldosteronism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D007328:Insulin; D003404:Creatinine; D011188:Potassium