Sjögren's syndrome presenting as hypokalemic paralysis due to distal renal tubular acidosis.
A 57-year-old woman presented with a flaccid paralysis, muscle tenderness, and respiratory depression. Laboratory results demonstrated severe hypokalemia with hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis and abnormally acidified urine. The urinary anion gap was positive in the presence of acidemia, thus establishing the diagnosis of distal renal tubular acidosis (DRTA). The patient fully recovered after potassium and alkali replacement. Further investigation revealed Sjögren's syndrome as the underlying cause of DRTA.
Zimhony
O
O
Department of Internal Medicine C, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel.
Sthoeger
Z
Z
Ben David
D
D
Bar Khayim
Y
Y
Geltner
D
D
D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D000141:Acidosis, Renal Tubular / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*