Complications and Costs of Hyperkalemia in Patients with CKD Stages 3, 4, and 5 Without Dialysis

Background: Hyperkalemia is a complication that can negatively affect morbidity and mortality. This study aims to describe the association of hyperkalemia with complications such as hospitalization, dialysis requirements, mortality, and institutional costs in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3, 4, and 5 without renal replacement therapy. Methods: An ambispective, observational, analytical, and cross-sectional cohort study was carried out. 76 patients over 18 years of age who were admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in stages 3-5 without renal replacement therapy with a diagnosis of hyperkalemia (serum potassium> 5.3 mmol / l) were included. The temporality was from May 2023 to June 31, 2024. The sampling type was non-probabilistic for convenience. Statistical analysis used: Stata version 13.1 statistical package. Ethical aspects: Compliance with the General Health Law regarding research. Results: Hyperkalemia severity was identified as a significant predictor of mortality (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05-1.33, p=0.006) and hospitalization (OR 1.0004, 95% CI 1.11-1.44, p=0.0004). A significant association was observed between hyperkalemia level and dialysis requirement (p<0.001) according to the Chi-Square test. Institutional costs per patient to treat an episode of hyperkalemia with hemodialysis were five times higher than with potassium exchange resins ($1493 USD vs $270 USD). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the importance of using new drugs to treat hyperkalemia, not only to improve clinical outcomes but also to reduce associated healthcare costs.