Association of Adult-Onset Bartter Syndrome With Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disorder

A Rare Presentation of Adult-Onset Bartter Syndrome: A Case Report

Bartter syndrome is a rare, salt-wasting tubulopathy with impaired ion reabsorption in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle, which results in hypokalemia, hypochloremia, and hypercalciuria. It usually presents in neonates, with vomiting, dehydration, and failure to thrive. It results from mutations in several genes, including KCNJ1, CLCNKB, CLCNKA, BSND, and ROMK, which encode ion transporters. We report a rare presentation of adult-onset Bartter syndrome. In this case, a 27-year-old man presented to the hospital with upper and lower limb weakness. Bartter syndrome was suspected based on serum electrolytes assessment and arterial blood gas analysis. The patient was initiated on potassium chloride (KCL) infusion and potassium chloride syrup to correct hypokalemia.

Acquired autoimmune Bartter syndrome in a patient with primary hypothyroidism

We describe an unusual clinical presentation of autoimmune Bartter syndrome in a patient with primary hypothyroidism. A 65-year-old female patient was admitted with neuromuscular weakness associated with hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. She had a suboptimal response to potassium supplementation and potassium-sparing diuretic resulting in re-hospitalization with the same symptoms. A detailed serum and urinary biochemistry analysis in the absence of other causes of potassium wasting helped diagnose Bartter syndrome, a rare entity in adults. An autoimmune profile showed anti-Scl-70 antibody to be positive, although she did not develop other systemic features of the disease. Our patient responded to a steroid-based regimen potassium supplement, Indomethacin, and aldosterone antagonist with remarkable resolution of symptoms and correction of electrolyte derangement. We reviewed the literature to search for similar cases and included twenty-seven full-length publications on acquired and autoimmune causes of Bartter syndrome. Our case highlights the fact that hypokalemia with metabolic alkalosis in an adult patient should prompt clinicians to evaluate for common and uncommon conditions. While assessing for abnormal conditions, acquired Bartter syndrome should be considered if a patient has an underlying autoimmune, endocrine, or connective tissue disease.