Title:The Association of Potassium Status with Parameters of Glucose Metabolism is influenced by Age in Adults
Volume: 20
Issue: 5
Author(s): Ibrahim Elmadfa, Alexa L. Meyer, Verena Hasenegger, Thomas Moeslinger and Cem Ekmekcioglu*
Affiliation:
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna,Austria
Keywords:
Potassium, biochemical status, intake, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, age.
Abstract:
Background: Potassium status has been found to affect glucose homeostasis.
Objective: This study therefore aimed at investigating relationships between potassium status or dietary
intake and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in a sample of Austrian
adults (18-80 years, n = 421, 61% women) from the Austrian Study on Nutritional Status 2012.
Methods: Dietary potassium intake was obtained by two 24 h recalls. FPG, plasma K+, and urinary K+
were determined photometrically, HbA1c by HPLC. Associations between the parameters were studied
using multiple regression analysis after controlling for confounders and after age stratification of the
sample (18-64 y vs. 65-80 y).
Results: Most of the participants had a potassium intake of less than the estimated adequate daily intake
of 4000 mg/d. In the multiple regression analyses in the whole sample plasma K+ had a statistically
significant positive effect on FPG only in the crude model (ß = 0.128, p < 0.01) and on HbA1c
also in the fully adjusted model (ß = 0.129, p < 0.05). The small effects on HbA1c were also detected in
the younger age group but were absent in the older population. However, in this latter, a reverse association
of urinary K+ on HbA1c was observed as well as of dietary potassium intake on FPG with no
effects in the younger sample.
Conclusion: We suggest that age dependent differences in the association between parameters of potassium
status and blood glucose regulation should also be taken into account.
