Prevalence of and factors associated with potassium supplementation in older adults from general practices in Germany

Abstract

Objectives

Little information exists on potassium supplementation in older adults living in the community. Therefore, this study investigated the prevalence of potassium supplementation and its associated factors in patients aged ≥65 years followed in general practices in Germany.

Study design

Retrospective.

Main outcome measures

The prevalence analysis was conducted on a sample of adults aged ≥65 years followed for at least 12 months in 1993 general practices in Germany between 2014 and 2023. The analysis focusing on the identification of factors associated with the prescription of potassium supplementation was done on two subsamples: individuals with (n = 38,517) and without potassium supplementation (n = 38,517) matched using a propensity score for age, sex, and the index year (i.e., date of first prescription for the potassium supplementation group and a random date for the no‑potassium supplementation group). Factors potentially associated with potassium supplementation were several diagnoses and prescriptions documented within 12 months before or at the index date.

Results

The prevalence of potassium supplementation was 4.4 % among 882,662 adults aged ≥65 years who were followed for at least 12 months in general practices. The proportion of people receiving potassium supplementation increased with age. The prescription of potassium supplementation was associated with multiple diagnoses and prescriptions, the strongest effect sizes being for hypokalemia (OR = 53.99), loop diuretics and thiazides (OR = 4.68), and hyperaldosteronism (OR = 3.38).

Conclusions

In this preliminary research, less than 5 % of older adults received potassium supplementation in primary care. More data are warranted to corroborate this figure in other settings.