[Prevalence of hypokalemia in patients with methylprednisolone pulse therapy].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of hypokalemia in patients with methylprednisolone pulse therapy.


METHODS
We carried out a descriptive, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
We enrolled 110 outpatients who received pulse doses of 1 g of intravenous methylprednisolone for three consecutive days. Demographic variables, serum electrolytes and an electrocardiogram were documented.


RESULTS
The study group consisted of 31 men (28.2%) and 79 women (71.8%). Average age was 40 +/- 13.6 years. Mild hypokalemia was present in 19 patients (17.27% [95% CI 9.75-24.79]); moderate potassium levels were found in just one patient 0.9% [IC 95 0.023-4.96]); no cases of severe hypokalemia occurred. Total prevalence was 18.18% (95% CI 10.5-25.8). There were no significant electrocardiographic changes.


CONCLUSIONS
Mild and moderate hypokalemia was 18.18% without clinical or electrocardiographic consequences. Since there were no cases of severe hypokalemia, close monitoring of potassium levels should be restricted to those patients with other risk factors.
Tamez-Pérez
Héctor Eloy
HE
División de Medicina Interna, Hospital de Especialidades No. 25, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social de Monterrey. hectoreloytamez@aol.com
Cisneros-Pérez
Vicente
V
Cedillo-Rodríguez
Javier Armando
JA
Diaz-De-León-González
Enrique
E
Torres-Valenzuela
Miguel
M
Tamez-Peña
Alejandra Lorena
AL
Forsbach-Sánchez
Gerardo
G
Gutiérrez-Hermosillo
Hugo
H
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D020551:Pulse Therapy, Drug
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone