Prevalence of hypokalemia in a patients of post COVID-19 mucormycosis receiving injection liposomal-amphotericin B at tertiary care hospital

Abstract

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Hypokalemia is one of the most common electrolyte disturbances seen in clinical practice and in patients receiving liposomal-amphotericin B (L-AMB). The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the prevalence of hypokalemia in patients of post COVID-19 mucormycosis receiving L-AMB and to evaluate common presenting symptoms of hypokalemia in them.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> The present study was conducted as a retrospective study on 100 patients of post COVID-19 mucormycosis who received L-AMB for 1<sup>st</sup> time between May 2021 and August 2021 at department of otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose medical college and hospital, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. </p><p><strong>Results:</strong> In the present study, hypokalemia of varying grades occurred in 23% of the patients, making it an adverse event that requires attention and correction. Hypokalemia is reported in middle aged adults, more in males compared to females and at doses less than 2 gm of L-AMB. Majority (91.30%) of the patients of mucormycosis who developed hypokalemia presented with generalized weakness, anorexia and muscle cramps followed by nausea which is seen in 82.60% patients. Constipation, bloating and abdominal pain being other presenting symptoms in them seen in 56.50%, 56.50% and 52.20% patients respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Hypokalemia is a common electrolyte disorder occurring in patients receiving L-AMB which if undetected can be life threatening. Adequate medical management of these patients not only requires proper antifungal administration but also management of electrolyte imbalances related to the administration. L-AMB is a life-saving drug provided it is used judicially and with utmost care.</p><p> </p>