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Background. Hyperkalaemia is a frequent and potentially life-threatening condition in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Even after successful kidney transplantation (KTx), KTx recipients have mild to severe CKD. Moreover, they share comorbid conditions and frequently use medications that predispose to hyperkalaemia. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and factors associated with hyperkalaemia in this population. Methods. Over a pre-specified period of 6 months (1 September 2019 to 31 March 2020), we recorded in cross-sectional fashion information on serum potassium (K+) and relevant demographics, comorbidities, medications, laboratory and transplant-associated variables in clinically stable KTx recipients attending the Transplant Outpatient Clinic of our Department. Hyperkalaemia was classified as follows: serum K+ level >5.0 mEq/L; and further as >5.0 mEq/L with concomitant use of sodium (Na+) polystyrene sulphonate; serum K+ >= 5.2 mEq/L; serum K+ >= 5.5 mEq/L. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with serum K+ >5.0 mEq/L. Results. The study population consisted of 582 stable KTx recipients, 369 (63.4%) males, aged 52.4 +/- 13.5 years, with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 55.8 +/- 20.1 mL/min/1.73m(2) transplanted for >1 year. The prevalence of hyperkalaemia defined as K+ >5.0 mEq/L; >5.0 mEq/L and use of Na+ polystyrene sulphonate; K+ >= 5.2; or K+ >= 5.5 mEq/L, was: 22.7, 22.7, 14.4 and 4.1% (132, 132, 84 and 24 patients), respectively. In multivariate analysis, male gender [odds ratio (OR) = 2.020, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.264-3.227] and use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers (OR = 1.628, 95% CI 1.045-2.536) were independently associated with hyperkalaemia, while higher eGFR (OR = 0.967, 95% CI 0.955-0.979) and use of non-K+-sparing diuretics (OR = 0.140, 95% CI 0.046-0.430) were associated with lower odds of the disorder. Conclusions. The prevalence of mild hyperkalaemia in stable KTx recipients is relatively high but that of moderate or severe hyperkalaemia is low. Among a wide range of factors studied, only male gender and RAAS blockade were associated with increased odds of hyperkalaemia, while higher eGFR and diuretics were associated with decreased odds of hyperkalaemia. [GRAPHICS] .

MedAID (Mediterranean Aquaculture Integrated Development) is a European H2020 Research and Innovation Project that started in 2017. The main objective was to increase the overall competitiveness and sustainability of the whole value chain of the Mediterranean marine aquaculture sector by improving its technical and business performance and by shifting to a sustainable market-oriented approach with a more positive social and consumer perception. In the field of disease control and welfare MedAID aims to provide essential components for a better health and welfare management system for the Mediterranean marine aquaculture industry overall and at company level. One of the gaps addressed by MedAID was the lack of reference methodologies for disease diagnostics for European seabass and Gilthead seabream, the main species produced in Mediterranean marine fish farming. The present Diagnostic Manual was conceived in the form of up-to-date guidelines providing current methodologies for a harmonised approach to the health challenges due to viral and bacterial pathogens in the farming of seabass and seabream.