A Description of the Incidence and Burden of Hyperkalemia in Irish Hospitals 2022-2024
Author(s)
Kevin T. Morris, MPH1, Hafizh A. Boenjamin, MD2, Glenn Kelly, MSc3.
1AstraZeneca, Dublin, Ireland, 2Market Access, Astrazeneca, Dublin, Ireland, 3Market Access, AstraZeneca, Dublin, Ireland.
1AstraZeneca, Dublin, Ireland, 2Market Access, Astrazeneca, Dublin, Ireland, 3Market Access, AstraZeneca, Dublin, Ireland.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research is to describe the burden of hyperkalaemia within public hospitals in Ireland.
METHODS: In Ireland the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry system records ICD-10 diagnosis codes at discharge in public hospitals. National level records were requested for ICD-10 code E87.5, hyperkalaemia. Count and average length of stay (ALOS) data was analysed for the years 2022-2024 when hyperkalaemia was coded in the primary diagnostic position and for the Top 10 primary diagnoses where hyperkalaemia was coded in any other position.
RESULTS: On average 500 diagnosis per year were recorded as hyperkalaemia in the primary position and a further 3490 diagnoses per year other diagnostic positions. The Top 10 primary diagnoses when hyperkalaemia was coded were consistent year on year, typically conditions associated with hyperkalaemia or known to cause cellular damage including kidney disease, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, fracture and sepsis. Where a condition had an additional hyperkalaemia diagnosis vs the same condition without hyperkalaemia coded, hospital ALOS increased significantly, ranging from a weighted average of 3.1 additional days for chronic kidney disease to 17.4 additional days for type 2 diabetes. In total the additional excess bed days across all top 10 primary diagnoses with an additional diagnosis of hyperkalaemia coded vs the same condition without, amounted to 11,527 days on average per year. Based on 2022 Healthcare Pricing Office data the average cost of an inpatient bed adjusted for inflation to July 2023 (mid-point), was estimated at €1271.83 which would estimate the cost the total excess bed days per annum at €14.7million.
CONCLUSIONS: Hyperkalaemia is frequently recorded as a diagnosis code in Irish hospitals. When patients have hyperkalaemia recorded as an additional diagnosis, they stay in hospital for longer than when they don’t, indicating hyperkalaemia patients are complex and costly to manage in a hospital setting.
METHODS: In Ireland the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry system records ICD-10 diagnosis codes at discharge in public hospitals. National level records were requested for ICD-10 code E87.5, hyperkalaemia. Count and average length of stay (ALOS) data was analysed for the years 2022-2024 when hyperkalaemia was coded in the primary diagnostic position and for the Top 10 primary diagnoses where hyperkalaemia was coded in any other position.
RESULTS: On average 500 diagnosis per year were recorded as hyperkalaemia in the primary position and a further 3490 diagnoses per year other diagnostic positions. The Top 10 primary diagnoses when hyperkalaemia was coded were consistent year on year, typically conditions associated with hyperkalaemia or known to cause cellular damage including kidney disease, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, fracture and sepsis. Where a condition had an additional hyperkalaemia diagnosis vs the same condition without hyperkalaemia coded, hospital ALOS increased significantly, ranging from a weighted average of 3.1 additional days for chronic kidney disease to 17.4 additional days for type 2 diabetes. In total the additional excess bed days across all top 10 primary diagnoses with an additional diagnosis of hyperkalaemia coded vs the same condition without, amounted to 11,527 days on average per year. Based on 2022 Healthcare Pricing Office data the average cost of an inpatient bed adjusted for inflation to July 2023 (mid-point), was estimated at €1271.83 which would estimate the cost the total excess bed days per annum at €14.7million.
CONCLUSIONS: Hyperkalaemia is frequently recorded as a diagnosis code in Irish hospitals. When patients have hyperkalaemia recorded as an additional diagnosis, they stay in hospital for longer than when they don’t, indicating hyperkalaemia patients are complex and costly to manage in a hospital setting.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
RWD1
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Real World Data & Information Systems
Topic Subcategory
Health & Insurance Records Systems
Disease
Cardiovascular Disorders (including MI, Stroke, Circulatory), Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity), No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, Urinary/Kidney Disorders