Reduced Alternative Insulin Dosing in Hyperkalemia: a Meta-Analysis of Effects on Hypoglycemia and Potassium Reduction

Link to article at PubMed

Pharmacotherapy. 2021 May 16. doi: 10.1002/phar.2596. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have identified that reduced alternative intravenous insulin doses, such as 5 units or 0.1 units/kg, may reduce the risk of hypoglycemia compared to standard doses of 10 units in patients treated for hyperkalemia. However, some studies suggest that these alternative doses may reduce the ability to lower serum potassium. This meta-analysis was performed to determine the impact of alternative insulin dosing on hypoglycemia and potassium reduction in patients with hyperkalemia.

METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Ovid, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception through November 2020 for studies comparing outcomes in patients treated with standard (10 units) or alternative (<10 units) insulin dosing strategies for hyperkalemia. Only studies that evaluated hypoglycemia (serum glucose <70 mg/dL), severe hypoglycemia (serum glucose <50 mg/dL), and potassium reduction post-treatment were included in the meta-analysis. All articles were assessed for bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool and Newcastle-Ottawa scales for randomized prospective trials and retrospective trials, respectively.

RESULTS: Ten retrospective cohort studies (n=3437) were included and had low or moderate risk of bias. Alternative insulin dosing strategies included 5 units, 0.1 units/kg, and <10 units. Alternative dosing had lower pooled odds of hypoglycemia (odds ratio [OR] 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.43-0.69, I2 =8%) and severe hypoglycemia (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.27-0.64, I2 =0%). No difference in potassium reduction was detected (mean difference -0.02 mMol/L, 95% CI -0.11-0.07, I2 =53%).

CONCLUSIONS: Alternative insulin dosing strategies for hyperkalemia management resulted in less hypoglycemia and severe hypoglycemia without compromising potassium reduction compared to standard dose. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

PMID:33993515 | DOI:10.1002/phar.2596

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *