Potassium abnormalities in current clinical practice: frequency, causes, severity and management

We aimed to investigate the prevalence and etiology of potassium abnormalities [hypokalemia and hyperkalemia] and management approaches for hospitalized patients. Over a 4-month period, all hospitalized patients at Hacettepe University Medical Faculty Hospitals who underwent at least one measurement of serum potassium during hospitalization were included. Data on serum levels of electrolytes, demographic characteristics, cause[s] of hospitalization, medications, etiology of potassium abnormality and treatment approaches were obtained from the hospital records. Of the 9,045 hospitalized patients, 1,265 [14.0%] had a serum potassium abnormality; 604 [6.7%] patients had hypokalemia and 661 [7.30%] had hyperkalemia. In the hypokalemic patients, the most important reasons were gastrointestinal losses in 555 [91.8%] patients and renal losses in 252 [41.7%] patients. The most frequent treatment strategies were correcting the underlying cause and replacing the potassium deficit. Of the 604 hypokalemic patients, 319 [52.8%] were normokalemic at hospital discharge. The most common reason for hyperkalemia was treatment with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers in 228 [34.4%] patients, followed by renal failure in 191 [28.8%]. Two hundred and ninety-eight [45.0%] patients were followed without any specific treatment. Of the 661 hyperkalemic patients, 324 [49.0%] were normokalemic at hospital discharge. This study showed a high prevalence of potassium imbalance among hospitalized patients. Although most of the potassium abnormalities were mild/moderate, approximately half of the patients treated for hypokalemia or hyperkalemia were discharged from the hospital with ongoing dyskalemia

Serum and urine boron and selenium levels in children with resistant epilepsy

To determine the role of serum and urine selenium, and boron levels in children with resistant epilepsy. Serum and urine boron and selenium levels were studied in 53 cases [32 boys and 21 girls] diagnosed with resistant epilepsy between April 2006 and February 2007 at the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey. Differences between groups were assessed using Student's t-test. Countable data were defined as percentage. Inter-group difference was assessed by Chi-square test. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. When serum and urine boron and selenium levels were evaluated and compare with controls, a statistically significant difference was found in serum selenium, urine selenium, and urine boron levels [p<0.05]. No significant difference was found in serum boron levels [p>0.05]. It was observed that there is a need for selenium supplementation in treatment of patients with resistant epilepsy, while no etiologic role is observed for boron