The prevalence of hypokalemia in hospitalized patients with infectious diseases problem at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta.
OBJECTIVE
to know the prevalence of hypokalemia that occurs in hospitalized patients with infectious diseases.


METHODS
a cross sectional study was carried out in the internal ward Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Jakarta from December 2005 until June 2006. All hospitalized patients with infectious diseases receiving "replacement solution" were included in this study. We collected the blood sample to perform the serum potassium level at the time of admission and discharge.


RESULTS
one hundred and five patients were enrolled in this study; consisting of 44 males and 61 females. The age ranged from 14 to 70 years old. The most common infectious diseases were dengue fever, while the underlying diseases were hepatobiliary disorders. "Replacement solutions" which were given, were ringer's lactate 91%, normal saline 8%, and ringer's acetate 1%. Prevalence of hypokalemia among the hospitalized patients, on admission was 24 patients (23%) and during hospitalization was 39 patients (37%). The mean level of hypokalemia on admission was 3.11 + SD 0.37 mEq/L (range from 1.7 to 3.4 mEq/L) and during hospitalization was 3.13 + SD 0.25 mEq/L (range from 2.5 to 3.4 mEq/L). On admission, the ratio of mild : moderate : severe hypokalemia is 22 : 2 : 1. And at discharge the ratio of mild to moderate hypokalemia becomes 19 : 6.


CONCLUSIONS
the prevalence of hypokalemia in hospitalized patients with infectious disease in Cipto Mangkunkusumo's Hospital, Jakarta is 23%. Further studies are needed to know the contributing factors including the usage of 'intravenous fluid' in relations to hypokalemic state during hospitalization.
Widodo
Djoko
D
Division of Tropical and Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia-dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Setiawan
Budi
B
Chen
Khie
K
Nainggolan
Leonard
L
Santoso
Widayat Djoko
WD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D007214:Indonesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D011188:Potassium