Assessment of Hypokalemia and Clinical Characteristics in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Wenzhou, China
Dong Chen, MD1,2; Xiaokun Li, MD3; Qifa Song, MD4; et al Chenchan Hu, MD1,2; Feifei Su, MD1,2; Jianyi Dai, MD1,2; Yinghai Ye, MD1,2; Jianping Huang, MD1,2; Xiaoming Zhang, MD5
Author Affiliations Article Information
JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(6):e2011122. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.11122
Abstract
Importance Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has caused a global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 binds angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 of the rennin-angiotensin system, resulting in hypokalemia.
Objective To investigate the prevalence, causes, and clinical implications of hypokalemia, including its possible association with treatment outcomes, among patients with COVID-19.
Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study was conducted at Wenzhou Central Hospital and Sixth People’s Hospital of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, China, from January 11, 2020, to February 15, 2020. Participants included patients who received a diagnosis of COVID-19 according to the criteria issued by the Chinese Health Bureau and were admitted to the hospital. The patients were classified as having severe hypokalemia (plasma potassium <3 mmol/L), hypokalemia (plasma potassium 3-3.5 mmol/L), and normokalemia (plasma potassium >3.5 mmol/L). The clinical features, therapy, and outcomes were compared between the 3 groups. Data analysis was conducted in March 2020.
