Hypophosphataemia in a Hospital Population and the Incidence of Concomitant Hypokalaemia

Abstract

There have been few recent studies describing the incidence and causes of hypophosphataemia in a hospital population and the frequency of concomitant hypokalaemia. In this study a majority (53%) of patients with hypophosphataemia had been on a glucose infusion at the time of their low plasma phosphate. The largest patient group found to show hypophosphataemia (< 0·8 mmol/L) were in the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU), and this was also the largest patient group manifesting severe hypophosphataemia (< 0·3 mmol/L). Approximately, 11% of patients with hypophosphataemia (< 0·8 mmol/L) had a plasma potassium equal to or less than 3·5 mmol/L, compared with 5·7% of hospital patients without hypophosphataemia. Furthermore, 20% of patients with severe hypophosphataemia (< 0·3 mmol/L) had hypokalaemia as similarly defined.