Biomaterial Database

Diuretics and electrolyte disturbances in 1000 consecutive geriatric admissions. 1990

C M Byatt, and P H Millard, and G E Levin

Department of Geriatric Medicine, St George's Hospital Medical School, London.

Old people are commonly receiving diuretics on admission to hospital. Diuretics are recognized as a risk factor for electrolyte disturbances; controversy exists about the relative risks of different combinations (in particular, co-amilozide [Moduretic]). We recorded the drug history and serum electrolytes in 1000 consecutive admissions to a geriatric hospital, and examined the relative prescribing rates of various diuretics in the community. Full results were obtained in 929 patients. A history of diuretic prescription was present in 353 (38%) of the patients; the mean serum sodium in this group (95% CI 136.0-137.1 mmol/l) was lower than in the 586 not prescribed diuretics (137.1-137.9 mmol/l). The difference was small but statistically significant (95% CI difference = 0.3-1.6 mmol/l; P less than 0.01). Hyponatraemia (serum sodium less than 130 mmol/l) was not significantly commoner in the 41 patients prescribed co-amilozide than in patients prescribed other diuretics. In general patients prescribed potassium-retaining diuretics had a lower serum sodium than the others. There was a significant positive correlation between the serum potassium and the log [serum urea] (r = 0.26, P less than 0.001) and a weak negative correlation existed between sodium and potassium (r = -0.14; P less than 0.001). There was an association between the prescription of potassium-retaining diuretics and a higher serum potassium; also an association between the prescription of a loop or thiazide diuretic and a lower serum potassium. These interactions were shown by multiple regression analysis to be independent and additive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007008	Hypokalemia	Abnormally low potassium concentration in the blood. It may result from potassium loss by renal secretion or by the gastrointestinal route, as by vomiting or diarrhea. It may be manifested clinically by neuromuscular disorders ranging from weakness to paralysis, by electrocardiographic abnormalities (depression of the T wave and elevation of the U wave), by renal disease, and by gastrointestinal disorders. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Hypopotassemia,Hypokalemias,Hypopotassemias
D007010	Hyponatremia	Deficiency of sodium in the blood; salt depletion. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Hyponatremias
D009026	Mortality	All deaths reported in a given population.	CFR Case Fatality Rate,Crude Death Rate,Crude Mortality Rate,Death Rate,Age Specific Death Rate,Age-Specific Death Rate,Case Fatality Rate,Decline, Mortality,Determinants, Mortality,Differential Mortality,Excess Mortality,Mortality Decline,Mortality Determinants,Mortality Rate,Mortality, Differential,Mortality, Excess,Age-Specific Death Rates,Case Fatality Rates,Crude Death Rates,Crude Mortality Rates,Death Rate, Age-Specific,Death Rate, Crude,Death Rates,Determinant, Mortality,Differential Mortalities,Excess Mortalities,Mortalities,Mortality Declines,Mortality Determinant,Mortality Rate, Crude,Mortality Rates,Rate, Age-Specific Death,Rate, Case Fatality,Rate, Crude Death,Rate, Crude Mortality,Rate, Death,Rate, Mortality,Rates, Case Fatality
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D011307	Drug Prescriptions	Directions written for the obtaining and use of DRUGS.	Drug Prescribing,Drug Prescription,Drug Prescribings,Prescribing, Drug,Prescribings, Drug
D004232	Diuretics	Agents that promote the excretion of urine through their effects on kidney function.	Diuretic,Diuretic Effect,Diuretic Effects,Effect, Diuretic,Effects, Diuretic
D004338	Drug Combinations	Single preparations containing two or more active agents, for the purpose of their concurrent administration as a fixed dose mixture.	Drug Combination,Combination, Drug,Combinations, Drug
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006852	Hydrochlorothiazide	A thiazide diuretic often considered the prototypical member of this class. It reduces the reabsorption of electrolytes from the renal tubules. This results in increased excretion of water and electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, chloride, and magnesium. It is used in the treatment of several disorders including edema, hypertension, diabetes insipidus, and hypoparathyroidism.	Dichlothiazide,Dihydrochlorothiazide,Esidrex,Esidrix,HCTZ,HydroDIURIL,Hypothiazide,Oretic,Sectrazide
D000367	Age Factors	Age as a constituent element or influence contributing to the production of a result. It may be applicable to the cause or the effect of a circumstance. It is used with human or animal concepts but should be differentiated from AGING, a physiological process, and TIME FACTORS which refers only to the passage of time.	Age Reporting,Age Factor,Factor, Age,Factors, Age