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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Prevalence of and factors associated with potassium supplementation in older adults from general practices in Germany
Maturitas, Vol.202, pp.1-8
11/2025
PMID: 41066889
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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.
Details
- Title
- Prevalence of and factors associated with potassium supplementation in older adults from general practices in Germany
- Creators
- Karel Kostev - IQVIA (Germany, Frankfurt)André Hajek - University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfDong Keon Yon - Kyung Hee University Medical CenterRazak M. Gyasi - Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial DevelopmentLouis Jacob - Universite Paris Cite (France, Paris)
- Publication Details
- Maturitas, Vol.202, pp.1-8
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V; CLARE
- Identifiers
- 991013322028802368
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Authors.
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article