Acid-base and electrolyte disturbances in patients with hypercalcemia.
BACKGROUND
In the present study, we analyzed acid-base and electrolyte disturbances in hypercalcemic patients to determine the principal causes of hypercalcemia.


METHODS
We studied a total of 76 hypercalcemic patients and 91 healthy individuals. Acid-base and electrolyte parameters were determined before any therapeutic intervention.


RESULTS
Hyperparathyroidism and neoplasias were the most common causes of hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemic patients had increased serum urea and creatinine levels, a higher urea/creatinine ratio, and a higher rate of acid-base disorders, but lower serum albumin, potassium, chloride, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations than those found in the control subjects. Notably, significant differences in acid-base balance and electrolyte concentrations were evident between patients with hyperparathyroidism and patients with cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary hyperparathyroidism and neoplasia are the most common causes of hypercalcemia. A wide array of concurrent acid-base and electrolyte disorders may be evident in hypercalcemic patients. Differences in these laboratory parameters are helpful in diagnostic workup.
Milionis
Haralampos J
HJ
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ioannina Medical School, Ioannina, Greece.
Rizos
Evangelos
E
Liamis
George
G
Nikas
Spiridon
S
Siamopoulos
Kostas C
KC
Elisaf
Moses S
MS
D000137:Acid-Base Imbalance / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*