THE FREQUENCY OF HYPOKALEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH NASOGASTRIC FEEDING IN NON-HOSPITAL SETTINGS | [Journal of Medical Science • 2021]

Author(s):

1. Bughdad Khan: Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital,Peshawar ,Pakistan

2. Awais Naeem: Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital,Peshawar ,Pakistan

3. Fahad Naim: Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital,Peshawar ,Pakistan

4. Kiramat Ullah: Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital,Peshawar ,Pakistan

5. Zahid Muhammad Wazir: Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital,Peshawar ,Pakistan

6. Nafidullah Khan: Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital,Peshawar ,Pakistan

Abstract:

Objectives: To determine the frequency of hypokalemia in patients on nasogastric feeding with homemade blends and juices in non-hospitalized settings. Material and Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out in the General Medicine Department of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from 1st January 2016 to 30th June 2016. There was a total of 176 patients in our study. We enrolled patients with oropharyngeal or esophageal dysphagia who were sent home on nasogastric tube feeding with homemade blends and juices. They were followed up after two weeks in the outpatient department, and their blood samples were collected for checking their serum potassium levels. Samples were tested using K-lite 5 series electrolyte analyzer at Khyber Teaching Hospital laboratory for the presence of hypokalemia. Results: There were 98 males and 78 females in the study population. The mean age was 58.15 years ±13.35 SD. The mean value of potassium was 4.07 mmol/L ± 0.8 SD. In our study sample, we found hypokalemia in 31 (17.6 %) of the patients sent on nasogastric feeding at home. Conclusion: Hypokalemia among patients with oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia who are on nasogastric tube feeding with homemade juices and liquefied blends for two weeks or more in a non-clinical setting was a relatively common ifnding irrespective of age, gender, or underlying disease. It is essential to recognize as it can be life-threatening.

Page(s): 227-231

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Journal of Medical Science, Volume: 29, Issue: 4, Year: 2021

Keywords:

Feeding , hypokalemia , Nasogastric tube

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