title: Familial hypokalaemic periodic paralysis in Finland.
abstract: Seven families with familial hypokalaemic periodic paralysis were found in Finland. Nine of the 103 asymptomatic family members studied had abnormal results on a potassium exercise test. The overall prevalence of familial hypokalaemic periodic paralysis in Finland was 0.4/100,000. Carbohydrate intake and hard exercise were the most important triggers of paralytic attacks. Half of the patients reported having attacks at least once a month. Seven patients reported cardiac symptoms (especially bradycardia) during attacks. Permanent muscular weakness was not prominent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Kantola
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Tarssanen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000235:genetics*; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D005799:Genes, Dominant / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010245:Paralyses, Familial Periodic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*