Hyperkalemia Management in Older Adults With Diabetic Kidney Disease Receiving Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors: A Post Hoc Analysis of the AMETHYST-DN Clinical Trial

Abstract

Rationale & ObjectiveOlder people are more likely to have reduced kidney function and multiple comorbid conditions predisposing them to hyperkalemia. This post hoc subgroup analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of patiromer, a sodium-free nonabsorbed polymer, in lowering serum potassium levels in older patients receiving a renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor with chronic kidney disease (CKD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and hypertension.Study DesignPost hoc subgroup analysis of the randomized open-label AMETHYST-DN clinical trial.Setting & ParticipantsMulticenter clinical trial. Individuals 75 years and older with CKD, T2DM, hypertension, and hyperkalemia at baseline (N = 60; mean age, 77 years; 30 men [50%]; mean estimated glomerular filtration rate, 41.6 ± 14.3 mL/min/1.73 m2).InterventionPatients with hyperkalemia were randomly assigned to receive patiromer at doses ranging from 4.2 to 16.8 g twice daily.OutcomesWe evaluated changesin serum potassium levels from baseline to week 4 and time points through 52 weeks. Long-term safety and tolerability were assessed through the end of 52 weeks and included frequency of adverse events, clinical laboratory measurements, and vital signs.ResultsOf 306 AMETHYST-DN participants, 60 were 75 years or older. All 60 patients had CKD and T2DM; 37% had heart failure. At screening, patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 42 mL/min/1.73 m2, median urinary albumin-creatinine ratio of 127 mg/g, and baseline mean serum potassium level of 5.19 mEq/L. Mean serum potassium level was reduced at each time point from the first postbaseline visit (day 3) through week 52.LimitationsThis small subgroup analysis was not prespecified and therefore randomization was lost; thus, it should be considered hypothesis generating.ConclusionsAmong older patients with hyperkalemia and diabetic kidney disease, treatment with patiromer resulted in significant reductions in serum potassium levels after 4 weeks and lasted through 52 weeks. Patiromer was effective in lowering serum potassium levels and was well tolerated in older patients.FundingVifor Pharma, Inc.Trial RegistrationNCT01371747