title: Kaliopenic nephropathy revisited.
abstract: In the 'older' literature, a definitive renal pathology was described in patients with long-standing hypokalaemia and depletion of the body's potassium reserves. The topic is relevant because possibly a quite cheaply reversible element in the course of chronic kidney disease progression could be addressed. Earlier, pathologists drew attention to vacuolar changes in renal tubular epithelium accompanied by inflammatory interstitial changes in patients with potassium losses. The diagnostic term 'kaliopenic nephropathy' was coined to describe such patients. Kaliopenic nephropathy now receives less emphasis than in earlier times. However, with eating disorders, laxative abuse and other potential causes, we suggest that the syndrome should be resurrected.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Helios-Klinikum Berlin , and Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a joint cooperation of the Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Medical Faculty , Berlin-Buch , Germany.
authors.forename: Saban
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elitok
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Helios-Klinikum Berlin , and Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a joint cooperation of the Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Medical Faculty , Berlin-Buch , Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bieringer
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Helios-Klinikum Berlin , and Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a joint cooperation of the Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Medical Faculty , Berlin-Buch , Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Helios-Klinikum Berlin , and Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a joint cooperation of the Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Medical Faculty , Berlin-Buch , Germany.
authors.forename: Friedrich C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Luft
keywords: bisacodyl; hypokalaemia; laxatives; melanosis coli; potassium