Nephrology & Renal Care

Background: Hypokalemia is usually to unrecognized in patients with Dengue fever. There is a study in children showing prevalence of hypokalemia to be 14-17%. However, the data from Thai adult patients is still lacking.

Objectives: To study the prevalence and mechanisms of hypokalemia in adult patients admitted with dengue virus infection.

Material and Method : Retrospective charts review of adult patients hospitalized with dengue infection from January 2013 to July 2013 was performed.

Results: From total of 386 patients admitted with dengue virus infection diagnosed using serologic test and clinical criteria, 131 had hypokalemia (33.9%). Comparing hypokalemic group with non-hypokalemic group, the proportion of male was 26.9% versus 39.33% (p<0.001). Proportion of patients with nausea/vomiting, diarrhea as presenting symptoms, proportion of patients who received pack red cell transfusion, grading of DHF and the length of stay were not significantly different. The mean BUN and creatinine were lower inhypokalemic group. Two patients with initial serum potassium level showed 3.3 and 3.2 mEq/L were investigated to find out the mechanism of hypokalemia. TTKG were 5.4 and 7.8 Ratio of urine potassium / creatinine were 23.3 and 28.8 mEq/g creatinine.

Conclusion: Hypokalemia is common in adult patients infected with dengue virus especially in women but does not associated with severity of illness or clinical outcomes. The mechanism of hypokalemia were purposed to renal loss.