Review Article
Year: 2017 | Month: April | Volume: 7 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 429-432
Effect of Corticosteroids on Serum Potassium Levels in Patients with Obstructive Airway Disorders
Dr. Mathew George1, Dr. Lincy Joseph2, Dr. Sujith K3, Georgin Georson4, Olivia Johncy4, Shyalu K4
1Principal and HOD, Pushpagiri College of Pharmacy, 2HOD, Pharmaceutical Chemistry,
3Assistant Professor, Department Of Pharmacology, 4Students,
Pushpagiri College of Pharmacy, Pushpagiri Medicity, Tiruvalla-689107
Corresponding Author: Dr. Mathew George
ABSTRACT
Corticosteroids, also called glucocorticoids or steroids, are hormones produced by the adrenal cortex, part of the adrenal glands. These hormones affect almost all body organs and are extremely important in maintaining homeostasis when secreted in normal amounts to have different functions. The goals of corticosteroids during treatment are to decrease exacerbation of symptoms and improve quality of life in patients with obstructive airway diseases. Thus corticosteroids play an important role in the therapy of obstructive airway diseases. Hypokalemia is one of the major adverse effects of corticosteroids. Serum potassium is the most specific indicator available for the diagnosis of hypokalemia. This review is designed to investigate the effects of corticosteroids on serum potassium levels in patients with obstructive airway disorders along with the route which caused more effects and the drug which caused more prominent effects.
Method: This is a prospective analytical study is going to be conducted in the department of Pulmonary Medicine, Pushpagiri Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla. All patients who are willing to participate in the study are briefly explained about the study procedure. Approximately 60-65 patients will be taken into consideration. Blood sample (residual) of 3ml is required which is obtained from the laboratory and serum potassium level is estimated on admission and after 3 days. The patients are selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The level of electrolyte can be analysed by using semi autoanalyzer. The results obtained from the study can be compared with the normal range of potassium in blood.
Key words: Obstructive airway disorders, Potassium, Corticosteroids, Hypokalemia.