title: Sjögren's, Renal Tubular Acidosis And Osteomalacia - An Asian Indian Series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the profile of Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA) in Asian Indian patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome (pSS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The Electronic medical records of patients with a diagnosis of pSS seen between 2003 and 2010 at our tertiary care teaching hospital were screened for RTA. Clinical features, immunological profile, acid-base balance and electrolyte status, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D3) levels, histopathological changes in minor salivary gland biopsy samples and radiological findings were retrieved. RTA was diagnosed in cases of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis with urinary pH values higher than 5.5. Those with known features suggestive of RTA including hypokalemic paralysis, hyperchloremia and nephrocalcinosis without acidosis were defined as incomplete RTA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 380 patients with clinically suspected pSS, 25 had RTA. The median age was 32 (18-60) years. Nineteen patients had complete RTA. Six had incomplete RTA. Only 10 patients (40%) had symptoms related to RTA at presentation. Sixteen patients (64%) had present or past history of hypokalemic paralysis. Pseudofractures were seen in 7 patients and an additional 2 had subclinical radiological osteomalacia. Majority of the patients (61.2%) had a normal 25(OH) D3 level. Those with osteomalacia had significantly lower serum phosphate, blood ph and higher alkaline phosphatase. Serum calcium and 25(OH) D3 levels were not significantly different between patients with osteomalacia and those without.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most patients were asymptomatic for RTA inspite of clinically overt and elicitable features. Skeletal manifestation was a common finding in patients with Sjögren and RTA, despite normal levels of 25 (OH) D3 in a majority.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore-632004, India.
authors.forename: Pulukool
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sandhya
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore-632004, India.
authors.forename: Debashish
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Danda
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore-632004, India.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rajaratnam
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore-632004, India.
authors.forename: Nihal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thomas
keywords: Osteomalacia; Pseudofractures; Renal Tubular Acidosis; Sj gren s syndrome; Vitamin D.