[Risk for hyperkalemia during long-term treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in insulin-dependent type 2 diabetics in relation to the glomerular filtration rate].

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

The risk for hyperkalaemia during therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is especially increased in the elderly diabetic because of a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), as well as the occurrence of hyporeninaemic hypoaldosteronism. We evaluated the risk for hyperkalaemia under long-term angiotensin-converting enyzme inhibition in 86 insulin-dependent type 2 diabetic patients in relation to their GFR.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

We compared the influence of a 3 to 6 months long treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on the serum potassium levels, the creatinine clearance and the urinary albumin excretion in insulin-dependent type 2 diabetic patients with an initial creatinine clearance < 50 ml/min/1.73m(2) (n = 15, age 66 +/- 6 years) and >/= 50 ml/min/1.73m(2) respectively (n = 71, age 61 +/- 10 years). In addition, we also investigated the influence on the metabolic control and the blood pressure values in both groups of patients.

RESULTS:

In the patients with creatinine clearance >/= 50 ml/min/1,73m(2) the mean potassium level increased from 4.3 +/- 0.2 to 4.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/l (P < 0,01), while the incidence of a potassium level > 5 mmol/l was 17 %. In the group with a creatinine clearance < 50 ml/min/1.73m(2) the potassium level rose from 4.5 +/- 0.2 to 5.0 +/- 0.4 mmol/l (P < 0.01). The incidence of potassium levels > 5 mmol/l was 66 % (P < 0,01). In both patient groups the creatinine clearances did not change significantly during angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, and the urinary albumin excretion as well as the HbA(1c) values and blood pressure showed only a tendency towards a decrease.

CONCLUSION:

Long-term treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in insulin-dependent type 2 diabetic patients leads to a significant increase in serum potassium. The incidence of hyperkalaemia with potassium levels > 5 mmol/l is significantly higher in the patients with initial creatinine clearance < 50 ml/min/1.73m(2). Severe hyperkalaemia with potassium levels > 6 mmol/l was not observed.

• Authors: A Raml, B Schmekal, P Grafinger, G Biesenbach
• Journal: Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946) (Dtsch Med Wochenschr) Vol. 126 Issue 47 Pg. 1327-30 (Nov 23 2001) ISSN: 0012-0472 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Hyperkaliämierisiko unter Langzeittherapie mit ACE-Hemmern bei insulinpflichtigen Typ-2-Diabetikern in Abhängigkeit von der GFR.
• PMID: 11719857 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
• Insulin
• Creatinine
• Potassium

Topics

• Aged
• Albuminuria (chemically induced)
• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Creatinine (metabolism)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (complications, drug therapy)
• Female
• Glomerular Filtration Rate (drug effects)
• Humans
• Hyperkalemia (epidemiology, etiology)
• Hypoaldosteronism (epidemiology, etiology)
• Insulin (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Potassium (blood)
• Risk Factors