Preponderance of hypokalaemia as a cause of acute onset quadriparesis in northern India/southern Nepal

Clinical features and recovery pattern of secondary hypokalaemic paralysis

PURPOSE

Information regarding frequency, details of neurological signs and recovery patterns of patients with secondary hypokalaemic paralysis (HP) is limited. This study aimed to analyse the frequency, aetiology, clinical features and recovery patterns of patients with secondary HP.

METHODS

The clinical and laboratory records of 18 consecutive patients with secondary HP aged ≥ 18 years admitted to our hospital between April 2011 and March 2022 were reviewed. Patients with inherited hypokalaemic periodic paralysis were excluded.

RESULTS

Of the 18 patients, 16 had a common aetiology: chronic alcoholism, diarrhoea or an imbalanced diet. Initial symptoms, such as fatigue, were often atypical. Three patients had prominent asymmetric limb weakness and four had predominant upper limb weakness. On admission, the mean serum potassium and creatine kinase (CK) levels of the patients were 1.90 mmol/L and 4488 U/mL, respectively. Ten patients (56%) had decreased potassium levels after admission, despite potassium replacement treatment (rebound hypokalaemia). Twelve patients presented with increased CK levels even after 2-5 days (delayed hyperCKaemia). Low serum magnesium levels significantly correlated with rebound hypokalaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Secondary HP can be caused by a variety of conditions, but mainly occurs due to lifestyle conditions/disorders. Secondary HP often presents with atypical symptoms, and the initial symptoms can be non-specific. Rebound hypokalaemia and delayed hyperCKaemia are common in secondary HP, despite potassium replacement. As such, careful serial monitoring is needed for patients with secondary HP.

Etiological Search and Epidemiological Profile in Patients Presenting with Hypokalemic Paresis: An Observational Study

INTRODUCTION

Hypokalemia is associated with increased morbidity and at times mortality. "Hypokalemic paralysis", particularly if recurrent, has often been considered synonymous with "hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP)"; however, diseases such as Gitelman syndrome (GS), Bartter syndrome (BS), and renal tubular acidosis (RTA) can have identical presentation. We have tried to explore the etiological spectrum along with epidemiological and certain clinical, biochemical, and electrophysiological features in patients with hypokalemic paralysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this observational study, 200 appropriate patients with hypokalemic paralysis (serum K⁺ <3.5 mmol/L) were evaluated for transcellular shift, extra-renal or renal loss of K⁺ as the underlying etiology of hypokalemia. We took urinary potassium >25 mmol/day as the cutoff for inappropriate renal loss of potassium in presence of hypokalemia. Serum and urinary osmolality along with arterial blood gas analysis were performed in all patients with renal loss of potassium. Serum and urinary sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and creatinine were measured in normotensive patients with metabolic alkalosis. Hypertensive patients were evaluated with plasma aldosterone and renin activity.

RESULTS

Probable GS topped the list involving 28% individuals of the entire cohort while probable BS, distal RTA, and HPP were diagnosed in 20%, 22%, and 19% cases, respectively. Rural tribal population (61%) and age group of 30-40 years suffered the most (48%) with concentration of cases in hot and humid summer months.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that patients with hypokalemic paresis should be evaluated thoroughly to unmask the underlying etiology that may have a different therapeutic and prognostic connotations and not to use the term "periodic" in cases of recurrent hypokalemic paralysis.

Hypokalaemic periodic paralysis in rural northern India--most have secondary causes

Hypokalaemic periodic paralysis (HPP) is a life-threatening condition. Our aim was to study the clinical profile and laboratory parameters of HPP patients and to develop an algorithm to determine the causes of HPP. 84 patients presented with HPP over a 3 year period. 58 (69.0%) were found to have renal tubular acidosis (RTA). The other causes were idiopathic HPP (8 (9.5%)), acute gastroenteritis (4 (4.8%)), suspected primary hyperaldosteronism and familial HPP (2 each (2.4%)) and suspected Gitelman/Bartter Syndrome and thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (1 each (1.2%)). The number of cases peaks in the hot season. Over a third of the patients (35.7%) had recurrent episodes. 80% had secondary HPP and therefore a biochemical evaluation is mandatory. A simple algorithm was developed. Both health professionals and patients need further education regarding this problem in order to improve diagnosis and treatment and to improve compliance.