title: Acid-base and electrolyte disturbances in patients with hypercalcemia.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ioannina Medical School, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Haralampos J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Milionis
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rizos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liamis
authors.forename: Spiridon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nikas
authors.forename: Kostas C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Siamopoulos
authors.forename: Moses S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Elisaf
mesh_terms: 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*