Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO875

Race-Ethnicity and Mortality Associated with Serum Potassium in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Session Information

• Peritoneal Dialysis - I
  November 02, 2017 | Location: Hall H, Morial Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Category: Dialysis

• 608 Peritoneal Dialysis

Authors

• Eriguchi, Rieko, Kaizuka Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan

Rieko Eriguchi,

• Obi, Yoshitsugu, UC Irvine, Orange, California, United States

Yoshitsugu Obi,

• Streja, Elani, UC Irvine, Orange, California, United States

Elani Streja,

• Soohoo, Melissa, UC Irvine, Orange, California, United States

Melissa Soohoo,

• Rhee, Connie, UC Irvine, Orange, California, United States

Connie Rhee,

• Kovesdy, Csaba P., University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Csaba P. Kovesdy,

• Kalantar-Zadeh, Kamyar, UC Irvine, Orange, California, United States

Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh,

Background

Abnormalities in serum potassium are risk factors for sudden cardiac death and arrhythmias among dialysis patients. A previous study showed that lower potassium is associated with mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. However, it remains unknown whether the impact of serum potassium levels on mortality may be different according to race-ethnicity in PD patients.

Methods

We retrospectively examined 19,131 PD patients with available serum potassium data during treatment in a large dialysis organization from January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011. Using a time-dependent Cox model and splines, we explored the association between monthly-averaged serum potassium level and cause-specific deaths potentially caused by dyskalemias (defined as deaths attributed to hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, cardiac arrhythmia, or cardiac arrest) across race-ethnicity with adjustments for case-mix variables (demographics and comorbidities).

Results

Mean age was 56±16 years, 44% were women, 57% were non-Hispanic white, 23% were African-American, and 12% were Hispanic. Compared to non-Hispanic white patients, African-Americans had lower serum potassium levels, and Hispanics had higher serum potassium levels at baseline. In the total cohort, serum potassium levels less than 3.5 mEq/L were significantly associated with higher cause-specific deaths. In regards to potential potassium-related deaths, hypokalemia was associated with mortality in both non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics. Hyperkalemia was not associated with mortality in Hispanics, only in non-Hispanic whites and African-Americans.

Conclusion

Among PD patients, lower serum potassium levels were associated with cause-specific deaths. The impact of serum potassium levels on potential potassium-related deaths varied according to race-ethnicity.

Funding

• NIDDK Support