title: Serum potassium and glucose regulation in the ADDITION-Leicester screening study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous observational studies have shown conflicting results between plasma K+ concentrations and risk of type 2 diabetes. To help clarify the evidence we aimed to determine whether an association existed between serum K+ and glucose regulation within a UK multiethnic population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were recruited as part of the ADDITION Leicester study, a population based screening study. Individuals from primary care between the age of 40 and 75 years if White European or 25 and 75 years if South Asian or Afro Caribbean were recruited. Tests for associations between baseline characteristics and K+ quartiles were conducted using linear regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data showed individuals in the lowest K+ quartile had significantly greater 2-hour glucose levels (0.53 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.70, P ≤ 0.001) than those in the highest K+ quartile. This estimation did not change with adjustment for potential confounders. Conversely, participants in the lowest K+ quartile had a 0.14% lower HbA1c (95% CI -0.19 to -0.10: P ≤ 0.001) compared to those in the highest K+ quartile.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This cross-sectional analysis demonstrated that lower K+ was associated with greater 2 hr glucose. The data supports the possibility that K+ may influence glucose regulation and further research is warranted.
authors.affiliation: University of Leicester, Diabetes Research Centre, Leicester Diabetes Centre, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK.
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: University of Leicester, Diabetes Research Centre, Leicester Diabetes Centre, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK.
authors.forename: Danielle H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Bodicoat
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Science Bursary, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Lauren M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.affiliation: University of Leicester, Diabetes Research Centre, Leicester Diabetes Centre, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zaccardi
authors.affiliation: University of Leicester, Diabetes Research Centre, Leicester Diabetes Centre, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.affiliation: University of Leicester, Diabetes Research Centre, Leicester Diabetes Centre, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK.
authors.forename: Kamlesh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khunti
authors.affiliation: University of Leicester, Diabetes Research Centre, Leicester Diabetes Centre, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK.
authors.forename: Melanie J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001208:Asia; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D017691:Caribbean Region; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D011188:Potassium