Water, electrolytes, and acid-base alterations in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients

Table 3 Causes of dyskalemia in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients

Hypokalemia

Increased gastrointestinal K+ losses: Diarrhea: Infection, tumor or AIDS-associated enteropathy

Increased urinary K+ losses: Vomits, tubule toxicity, interstitial nephritis

Low K+ body content: Low potassium intake, sarcopenia and myopathy

Hyperkalemia

Reduced urinary K+ excretion: Drugs, adrenal insufficiency, hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism

Increased K+ shift to EC: Rhabdomyolysis, tumor lysis syndrome, hyperglucemia

K⁺: Potassium; EC: Extracellular compartment; AIDS: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome.