SPS Use associated with Burden of High recurrence of Hyperkalemia: Study

The results of the study are as follows:

• A total of 4,847 SPS users were matched to non-SPS users.
• During the stay, 11.7% of patients died in both cohorts. Mean age was 65.7 and 62.1 years for the SPS and non-SPS users.
• SPS users had a higher burden of comorbidities than non-SPS users, including CKD and heart failure.
• The average LOS was similar for SPS and non-SPS users and most patients had their last K level normalized during the stay
• Use of temporizing agents was common for SPS and non-SPS users; however, very few SPS users received SPS at discharge (0.4%).
• The 30-day all-cause and HK-related IP readmission rates were 27.0% and 13.6% for SPS users and 19.3% and 5.4% for non-SPS users, respectively. HK recurred within 30 days in 23.0% of SPS users and 7.1% of non-SPS users.
• The differences remained after adjusting for baseline and IP stay characteristics.
• The adjusted results were similar for 60- and 90-days post-discharge.

Thus, the researchers concluded that despite treatment with SPS in the IP setting there was a high burden of readmission and HK recurrence among patients with HK.

Reference:

Post-Discharge Outcomes Among Hyperkalemic Patients Treated with and Without Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate in the Inpatient Setting by Davis Jill et al. published presented at the American Society of Nephrology's Kidney Week 2020 Reimagined virtual conference.

https://www.asn-online.org/education/kidneyweek/2020/program-abstract.aspx?controlId=3437213