Publication:

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

Background 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.

Methods The present study was conducted as a retrospective study on 100 patients of post COVID-19 mucormycosis who received L-AMB for 1st 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.

Results 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.

Conclusions 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.