Hyperkalaemia management and related costs in chronic kidney disease patients with comorbidities in Spain

Background. Hyperkalaemia (HK) is a common electrolyte disorder in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and/or treated with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASis). The aim of this study is to determine the severity, current management and cost of chronic HK. Methods. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with chronic HK and CKD, heart failure or diabetes mellitus between 2011 and 2018. The study follow-up was 36months. Results. A total of 1499 patients with chronic HK were analysed: 66.2% presented with mild HK, 23.4% with moderate HK and 10.4% with severe HK. The severity was associated with CKD stage. Most patients (70.4%) were on RAASi therapies, which were frequently discontinued (discontinuation rate was 39.8, 49.8 and 51.8% in mild, moderate and severe HK, respectively). This RAASi discontinuation was similar with or without resin prescription. Overall, ion-exchange resins were prescribed to 42.5% of patients with HK and prescriptions were related to the severity of HK, being 90% for severe HK. Adherence to resin treatment was very low (36.8% in the first year and 17.5% in the third year) and potassium remained elevated in most patients with severe HK. The annual healthcare cost per patient with HK was Euro5929, reaching Euro12 705 in severe HK. Costs related to HK represent 31.9% of the annual cost per HK patient and 58.8% of the specialized care cost. Conclusions. HK was usually managed by RAASi discontinuation and ion-exchange resin treatment. Most patients with HK were non-adherent to resins and those with severe HK remained with high potassium levels, despite bearing elevated healthcare expenditures.

Automated summary

In this study investigating chronic hyperkalaemia (HK) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), heart failure or diabetes mellitus, the majority of patients were on RAASi therapies, with high rates of discontinuation and low adherence to resin treatment. Patients with severe HK had elevated potassium levels despite treatment, leading to significant healthcare expenditures. Strategies to improve treatment adherence and control of HK are needed to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.