Electrolyte Disorders Associated with Piperacillin/Tazobactam: A Pharmacovigilance Study Using the FAERS Database

Electrolyte disorders (EDs) can disrupt normal bodily functions and lead to life-threatening complications. We evaluated whether piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP), a widely used antibiotic for moderate-to-severe infections, is associated with electrolyte imbalances via a disproportionality analysis of a self-reporting pharmacovigilance database. We searched The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from 2004 to 2018 for EDs related to TZP and calculated three data-mining indices-the proportional reporting ratio (PRR), the reporting odds ratio (ROR), and the information component (IC)-compared to all other drugs. Signals were defined when one of the three criteria of the indices was met. For the signals detected in the initial analysis, further disproportionality analyses in relation to other penicillins were conducted using the same method. A total of 9829 reports related to TZP with 36,207 TZP-adverse event pairs were retrieved. Among 10 EDs, hypokalemia was detected as the only significant signal (PRR 2.61; ROR 2.61, 95% CI: 2.17-3.14; IC 95% lower CI: 1.11) compared to all other drugs. Compared with other penicillins, hypokalemia remained a significant signal for TZP using IC (95% lower CI: 0.26). In conclusion, TZP was significantly associated with hypokalemia.

Sepsis as an independent risk factor in atrial fibrillation and cardioembolic stroke

BACKGROUND

Electrolyte balance is an important factor to sustain the homeostasis of human body environment and in sepsis pathogenesis. Many current cohort-based studies have already revealed that electrolyte disorder may intensify sepsis and induce stroke. However, the corresponding randomized controlled trials did not show that electrolyte disorder in sepsis has a harmful effect on stroke.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the association of genetically sepsis-derived electrolyte disorder with stroke risk using meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization.

RESULTS

In four studies (182,980 patients), electrolyte disorders were compared with stroke incidence in patients with sepsis. The pooled odds ratio (OR) of stroke is 1.79 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23-3.06; p < 0.05], which shows a significant association between electrolyte disorder and stroke in sepsis patients. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the causal association between stroke risk and sepsis-derived electrolyte disorder, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was conducted. The genetic variants extracted from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of exposure data that are strongly associated with frequently used sepsis were used as instrumental variables (IVs). Based on the IVs' corresponding effect estimates, we estimated overall stroke risk, cardioembolic stroke risk, and stroke induced by large/small vessels from a GWAS meta-analysis with 10,307 cases and 19,326 controls. As a final step to verify the preliminary MR results, we performed sensitivity analysis using multiple types of Mendelian randomization analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed the association between electrolyte disorder and stroke in sepsis patients, and the correlation between genetic susceptibility to sepsis and increased risk of cardioembolic stroke, hinting that cardiogenic diseases and accompanying electrolyte disorder interference in due course could help sepsis patients get more benefits in stroke prevention.

Incidence and Determinants of Piperacillin/Tazobactam-Associated Hypokalemia: A Retrospective Study

Piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP) is a commonly used antibiotic for treating moderate-to-severe infections because of its broad-spectrum activity and recommendation as an alternative to carbapenem. TZP-associated severe hypokalemia has been consistently reported; however, related studies are very rare. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of TZP-associated hypokalemia (TAH). A retrospective cohort study was conducted on hospitalized adult patients who received TZP from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2017 at a tertiary teaching hospital. Of the 713 patients, 13.9% had TAH. As a result of multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age (OR 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02−1.05, p < 0.001), female sex (OR 1.88, 95% CI: 1.18−3.00, p = 0.008), longer duration of TZP therapy (OR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.04−1.13, p < 0.001), and higher TZP daily dose (OR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01−1.20, p = 0.049) were independently associated with TAH. In contrast, higher baseline serum potassium level (OR 0.13, 95% CI: 0.07−0.26, p < 0.001) was related to lower TAH. Furthermore, hypokalemia mostly occurred in the early days of TZP therapy (median onset time: 4 days). Thus, close monitoring of serum potassium levels, especially upon therapy initiation, is essential to prevent TAH.

Electrolyte disturbances after bowel preparation for colonoscopy: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies to explore pooled prevalence and magnitude of electrolyte changes after bowel preparation for colonoscopy based on the most recent guidelines.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

PubMed and Cochrane were queried for population-based studies examining changes in electrolyte values after bowel preparation, published by July 1, 2021. We report prevalences of serum hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia after bowel preparation and changes in mean electrolyte values after vs. before bowel preparation using sodium phosphate (NaP) and polyethylene glycol (PEG).

RESULTS

Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria; 2386 unique patients were included. Overall, hypokalemia was found in 17.2% (95% CI 6.7, 30.9) in the NaP group vs. 4.8% (95% CI 0.27, 13.02) in the PEG group. The magnitude of potassium decrease after NaP bowel preparation was significantly increased compared to PEG (mean difference -0.38; 95% CI -0.49 to -0.27, P < 0.001). No study reported on major complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypokalemia was found in 17.2% of patients after bowel preparation with NaP and in 4.8% of patients with PEG, a finding that is clinically relevant with respect to choosing the type of bowel preparation. The magnitude of the potassium decrease after NaP was significantly higher compared to PEG. These data provide the evidence that supports the recommendation of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy against routine use of NaP for bowel preparation.

A novel scoring system for assessing the severity of electrolyte and acid-base disorders and predicting outcomes in hospitalized patients

Electrolyte and acid-base disorders are commonly seen in critically ill and other hospitalized patients. A scoring system is needed to assess the severity of electrolyte and acid-base disorders and to predict outcome in hospital patients. Herein, we prospectively enrolled a total of 322,046 patients, including 84,700 patients in the derivation cohort and 237,346 in the validation cohort, in a large, tertiary hospital in East China from 2014 to 2017. A points-scoring system of general electrolyte and acid-base disorders with a sum of 20.8 points was generated by multiple logistic regression analysis of the derivation cohort. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value of 2.0 was associated with 65.4% sensitivity and 88.4% specificity (area under the curve: 0.818 (95% CI 0.809 to 0.827)) to predict hospital mortality in the validation cohort. On Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the five intervals of risk score (Q1: 0 to 2.0; Q2: 2.1 to 2.5; Q3: 2.6 to 3.3; Q4: 3.4 to 4.5; and Q5: >4.5 points) showed differences in hospital survival (p<0.001). Elevated (delta) risk score >2 during hospitalization increased the risk of hospital death, while those with a delta risk score <0 and <−2 points had higher survival rates. This novel scoring system could be used to evaluate and to dynamically monitor the severity of electrolyte and acid-base disorders in hospitalized patients.

Second-Generation Antidepressants and Hyponatremia Risk: A Population-Based Cohort Study of Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Hyponatremia may occur after initiation of a second-generation antidepressant drug. However, the magnitude of this risk among older adults in routine care is not well characterized.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective, population-based, matched-cohort study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

In Ontario, Canada, 2003 to 2012, we compared older adults with a mood or anxiety disorder who were dispensed 1 of 9 second-generation antidepressant drugs with matched adults with comparable indicators of baseline health who were not dispensed an antidepressant drug (n=138,246 per group). A similar comparison was made in a subpopulation with available laboratory data (n=4,186 per group).

PREDICTOR

Second-generation antidepressant prescription versus no antidepressant prescription.

OUTCOMES

The primary outcome was hospitalization with hyponatremia. A secondary outcome was hospitalization with both hyponatremia and delirium.

MEASUREMENTS

We assessed hospitalization with hyponatremia using a diagnosis code and, in the subpopulation, serum sodium values. We assessed hospitalization with hyponatremia and delirium using a combination of diagnosis codes.

RESULTS

Second-generation antidepressant use versus nonuse was associated with higher 30-day risk for hospitalization with hyponatremia (450/138,246 [0.33%] vs 84/138,246 [0.06%]; relative risk [RR], 5.46 [95% CI, 4.32-6.91]). This association was consistent in the subpopulation with serum sodium values (73/4,186 [1.74%] vs 18/4,186 [0.43%]; RR, 4.23 [95% CI, 2.50-7.19]; absolute risk increase, 1.31% [95% CI, 0.87%-1.75%]). Second-generation antidepressant use versus nonuse was also associated with higher 30-day risk for hospitalization with both hyponatremia and delirium (28/138,246 [0.02%] vs 7/138,246 [0.005%]; RR, 4.00 [95% CI, 1.75-9.16]).

LIMITATIONS

Measures of serum sodium could be ascertained in only a subpopulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of a second-generation antidepressant in routine care by older adults is associated with an approximate 5-fold increase in 30-day risk for hospitalization with hyponatremia compared to nonuse. However, the absolute increase in 30-day incidence is low.

Hypochloremia in cats - prevalence and associated diseases

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence and possible causes of hypochloremia in the local hospital cat population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective study consisting of two parts. Data were collected from the local electronic medical records database using the search terms "chloride" and "cats" (part A), and "blood gas analysis" and "cats" (part B). The medical records of the hypochloremic cats were then reviewed to determine prior treatment or infusions and to identify major underlying disease processes. Part A included an age and gender matched non-hypochloremic control group, whereas in part B acid-base status was assessed.

RESULTS

Hypochloremia was detected in 367 (27%) of 1363 blood samples. The application of a correction formula to adjust for free water changes decreased the number of hypochloremic cats to 253 (19%). Only a minority had received glucocorticoids or loop diuretics and the prevalence of vomiting was 44%. Common associated disorders were gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases, as well as azotemia and diabetes mellitus. Polyuria/polydipsia, dehydration, prednisolone or furosemide pretreatment, azotemia and diabetes mellitus increased, whereas fluid therapy and the diagnosis of neoplasia decreased the prevalence of hypochloremia. An inverse correlation was found between corrected chloride and standardized base excess (rs = -0.597, p = 0.001) as well as anion gap (rs = -0.4, p = 0.026). 99% of the hypochloremic cats had derangements of acid-base balance.

CONCLUSION

Hypochloremia is a common electrolyte disorder in the local cat population. The correction formula is necessary to adjust for changes in plasma osmolality. Although associated with metabolic alkalosis, most of the hypochloremic cats have a normal or decreased pH. The inverse correlation of chloride and anion gap als well as the high proportion of azotemic or diabetic animals support the concept of compensatory acidosis induced hypochloremia.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Hypochloremia should prompt the clinician to performe blood-gas analysis. Diabetes mellitus (especially ketoacidosis) and renal disease should be included in current algorithms for the evaluation of hypochloremic patients.