The Relationship Between Hypokalemia and Mortality in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-۱۹ Pneumonia: A Prospective Study

Background: This study aimed to assess the influence of hypokalemia on mortality among hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-۱۹ pneumonia. Methods: A cohort of ۳۰۰ patients aged>۱۸ diagnosed with COVID-۱۹ pneumonia were included in this study. Demographic data, symptoms, comorbidities, medications, duration of hospitalization, and blood potassium levels were recorded, and hypokalemia was defined as having at least three potassium values below ۳.۵ mmol/L within the first five days of hospitalization. The study investigated whether hypokalemia serves as a risk factor for mortality in COVID-۱۹ patients. Results: Among the ۳۰۰ patients, ۵۷ (۱۹%) were identified with hypokalemia. Patients with hypokalemia were older compared to those without this disturbance (P=۰.۰۱۲). No significant correlation was found between hypokalemia and the presence of diabetes mellitus (P=۰.۹۹۹), hypertension (P=۰.۱۹۳), or cardiovascular disease (P=۰.۷۸۱). However, patients with hypokalemia had a higher usage rate of diuretics (P=۰.۰۳۵). The use of corticosteroids, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, insulin, beta-۲ agonists, beta-blockers, antipsychotic drugs, and digoxin was similar between patients with and without hypokalemia (P>۰.۰۵). Hypokalemia was associated with a ۴.۷۹-fold increase in mortality (P=۰.۰۰۳), and each additional day of hospitalization increased mortality by ۱.۱۴ times (P<۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: Advanced age and diuretic usage could elevate the risk of hypokalemia in COVID-۱۹ patients. Prolonged hospital stays and higher mortality rates among patients with hypokalemia suggest a need for the careful management of electrolyte imbalances.