The Effect of Nebulized Salbutamol on Serum Potassium and Blood Sugar Level of Asthmatic Patients

BACKGROUND: Nebulized Salbutamol have great advantages for patients with respiratory problems by depositing drugs directly to the lungs, inspite of reported adverse metabolic effects on different electrolytes and glucose heamostasis of patients.

AIM OF STUDY: To evaluate the effect of nebulized salbutamol used in the management of patients with asthma who have normal serum potassium and blood glucose levels. in the emergency department after 30 and 60 minutes of administration and to find out if these results are of clinical importance that should be taken in consideration when treating patients especially those with abnormal glucose hemostasis or electrolyte disturbance.

PATIENTS & METHODS: The study is a prospective follow up study conducted in Emergency Department of Baghdad Teaching Hospital through the period from 1st of April, 2017, to 31st of January, 2018 on a sample of 100 patients. After administration of nebulized salbutamol, the Potassium and Glucose levels of patients were assessed in three periods; baseline, after 30 minutes and after one hour.

RESULTS: The potassium mean was significantly decreased after 1 hour of nebulizer administration (p<0.001). The random blood sugar mean was significantly increased after 1 hour of nebulizer administration (p<0.001). The potassium level was significantly decreased one hour after nebulizer administration for patients with negative steroids history (p=0.03), while no significant difference in potassium level was observed for patients with positive steroids history.

CONCLUSIONS: The nebulizer applying salbutamol has a profound effect in lowering the Potassium level and increasing blood glucose level after 60 minutes of administration.