Date Published:
2010
Citation-Indexed Journal:
Human and Experimental Toxicology. Volume 29, Issue 9, September 2010, Pages 773-778
Citation:
High prevalence of hypokalemia after acute acetaminophen overdose: Impact of psychiatric illness
Authors:
Zyoud, S.H.,
Awang, R.,
Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman,
Al-Jabi, S.W
Awang, R.,
Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman,
Al-Jabi, S.W
Abstract:
Hypokalemia is not an isolated disease but an associated finding in a number of different diseases. It is also a commonly neglected condition among patients with acute acetaminophen overdose.
Objectives:
This study intended to determine the prevalence of hypokalemia and its clinical correlates in acute psychiatric illness among hypokalemic and normokalemic patients after acetaminophen overdose.
Methods:
This is a retrospective cohort study of hospital admissions for acute acetaminophen overdose conducted over a period of 5 years from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008. Demographic data and different types of psychiatric illness were compared between hypokalemic and normokalemic patients. Hypokalemia was predefined by a serum concentration Results: Two hundred and eighty patients out of 305 admissions were studied. Hypokalemia was found in 63.6% of patients with a higher prevalence in the presence of psychiatric illness (67.7%). Hypokalemic patients were significantly associated with the presence of major depression (p =.04), adjustment disorder (p <.001), anxiety (p =.01), and suicidal attempts (p =.04).
Conclusion:
Hypokalemia was common among patients with psychiatric illness and acute acetaminophen overdose.
Objectives:
This study intended to determine the prevalence of hypokalemia and its clinical correlates in acute psychiatric illness among hypokalemic and normokalemic patients after acetaminophen overdose.
Methods:
This is a retrospective cohort study of hospital admissions for acute acetaminophen overdose conducted over a period of 5 years from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008. Demographic data and different types of psychiatric illness were compared between hypokalemic and normokalemic patients. Hypokalemia was predefined by a serum concentration Results: Two hundred and eighty patients out of 305 admissions were studied. Hypokalemia was found in 63.6% of patients with a higher prevalence in the presence of psychiatric illness (67.7%). Hypokalemic patients were significantly associated with the presence of major depression (p =.04), adjustment disorder (p <.001), anxiety (p =.01), and suicidal attempts (p =.04).
Conclusion:
Hypokalemia was common among patients with psychiatric illness and acute acetaminophen overdose.
