Prevalence of hypokalemia in older persons: results from the PolSenior national survey.

PURPOSE: Hypokalemia is one of the most common electrolyte disturbances in clinical practice. There are only a few epidemiological studies analyzing the occurrence of hypokalemia in older persons. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of hypokalemia in the Polish older population. METHODS: Serum potassium concentration was estimated in 4654 participants (2270 females and 2384 males, mean age 76.5 [11.0] years), who participated in the PolSenior study. Hypokalemia was defined as serum potassium concentration below 3.5 mmol/L. Hypokalemia was found in 39 participants (0.84%) and was significantly more frequent among females (28 females = 1.23% and 11 males = 0.46%; p = 0.003). The prevalence of hypokalemia was not related to age. Among 3303 participants suffering from arterial hypertension, 1093 were treated with potassium-losing diuretics. RESULTS: Hypokalemia was significantly more frequent among hypertensive than normotensive older participants (1.06 vs. 0.30% respectively; p = 0.007) and among hypertensive participants treated with potassium losing diuretics than ones untreated with these drugs (1.96 vs. 0.46% respectively; p < 0.001). In hypertensive participants, the prevalence of hypokalemia did not depend significantly on oral supplementation of potassium (1.92 and 0.98% respectively, NS). None of 81 participants using laxative agents presented hypokalemia. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that: older age seems not to appear to be a significant risk factor of hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is more often found in the older hypertensive patients treated with potassium losing diuretics, and prevention of diuretic-induced hypokalemia with oral supplementation of potassium seems to be insufficient.

Dietary supplementation usage by pregnant women in Silesia - population based study.

OBJECTIVES: Despite wide access to gynecological and obstetric advice, informational campaigns, and information online and in magazines aimed at pregnant women, there is a worryingly high percentage of women who still do not use recommended dietary supplementation. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of micronutrient supplementation by pregnant women and to specify the determinants that impact decisions concerning supplementation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between June 2016 and May 2017 among a group of pregnant women visiting gynecological and obstetric clinics in the Silesia region, who have completed an authorized questionnaire developed for the purpose of this study. The questionnaire addressed the women's dietary habits, micronutrient supplementation use, as well as their socio-economic status. Completed questionnaires were obtained from 505 pregnant women. RESULTS: Microminerals and vitamins supplementation during pregnancy was declared by 410 (81.2%) women. The most often used supplement was folic acid (62%). More than one-third of pregnant women (38.4%) declared vitamin D intake. Among the recommended supplements, the least commonly used (30.3%) were polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Factors contributing to supplementation use during pregnancy are past history of miscarriage and socioeconomic factors, such as: place of residence, financial situation and level of education. Inhabitants of larger cities, women with better self-perceived financial situations, higher education levels and those presenting past history of miscarriage took the supplements significantly more often. CONCLUSIONS: Lower levels of education, low-income financial status and living in rural localities are among the factors correlating with worse adherence to supplementation guidelines.

[Current neonatal resuscitation practices in Polish neonatal units - national survey]. / Stan przygotowania pod wzgledem merytorycznym i organizacyjnym oddzialów neonatologicznych o róznym stopniu referencji do prowadzenia resuscytacji noworodka po urodzeniu.

AIM: We surveyed current neonatal resuscitation practices in Polish neonatal units to determine the factors, relevant to improving practices in this area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed within the framework of the National Standardization Programme on Neonatal Practices and Procedures in 2007. An 11 question survey included questions concerning the frequency of neonatal resuscitation, type of procedure performed during resuscitation ie.: medicaments and oxygen administration, umbilical vein catetherisation, equipment availability, resuscitation of extremely preterm babies. The survey included also questions concerning problems in resuscitation and their causes. 420 questionnaires were sent out and 274 were returned completed (65.2% response rate). 266 units providing delivery room resuscitation were included in the study. RESULTS: Neonatal resuscitation procedures were needed significantly more frequently in the centres of the highest degree reference (p<0.001). There were also marked differences between the centres according to the frequency of umbilical vessels catetherisation and availability of the necessary medical equipment. In 44.6% of neonatal units, resuscitated newborns are successfully ventilated with room air. However, in 23.5% of the surveyed units, 100% oxygen is used for ventilation. The finding of great importance is that 30.7% of neonatal units stated the need for a trained resuscitator to attend a high risk pregnancy delivery and to resuscitate asphyxiated newborns. CONCLUSIONS: There are substantial differences in neonatal resuscitation practices in different neonatal centres. These findings should stimulate appropriate authorities to start an educational programme to establish suitable polices in newborn resuscitation.