High ambient'temperatures and hypokalaemia

摘要

We read with interest recent postings on the ACB mailbase relating to seasonal pseudohypokalaemia.1 At this time, we had noted an apparent increase in the incidence of hypokalaemia in samples from general practices (GP) analysed at University Hospital of Wales (UHW). Internal quality control monitoring revealed no shift in mean values on the analysers. The monitoring of daily patient means for all samples showed a decrease in mean potassium values for July 2013 and this prompted further investigation.A retrospective data gather was performed for 10 working days 8-19 July 2013 inclusive, a period of prolonged higher than average daily temperatures.2 Data were also requested for 10 working days 9-20 July 2012 inclusive, during which temperatures were similar or cooler than average.2 Only samples from GP and UHW patients were included. Samples from outpatients were not differentiated from inpatients as there should be minimal delays in sample receipt in the laboratory. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics.