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.

Primary male factor infertility due to asthenospermia in maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 5 (MODY 5): uncommon presentation of an uncommon disease.

Mutations in hepatocyte nuclear factor-1ß gene result in a multisystemic syndrome where a monogenic form of diabetes (maturity-onset diabetes of young type 5; MODY 5) and renal anomalies, usually bilateral multiple cysts are the most characteristic findings. Many of them have pancreatic structural abnormalities as well. A plethora of extrapancreatic manifestations like altered liver function tests, hypomagnesaemia, hyperuricaemia with/without gout and urogenital malformations, particularly in females are also components of the syndrome. Structural malformation of male urogenital tract is rare in MODY 5, even rarer is asthenospermia. We encountered a young non-obese individual having insulin-requiring diabetes following secondary oral agent failure with primary male factor infertility secondary to asthenospermia. A suggestive family history, lack of acanthosis, negative pancreatic autoimmunity, hypomagnesaemia, bilateral renal and epididymal cysts, and absence of body and tail of pancreas pointed towards underlying MODY 5.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (Morquio A): a close differential diagnosis of spondylo-epiphyseal dysplasia.

Patients with mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) have a plethora of multisystemic manifestations depending on the particular type, and atypical presentations are not uncommon. MPS type IVA (Morquio A syndrome) has predominant musculoskeletal system involvement and corneal clouding with normal intelligence and can be misdiagnosed as primary skeletal disorders in clinical practice. The absence of corneal clouding with normal urinary glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) level in a proportion of patients with MPS IVA makes the correct diagnosis even more challenging for physicians. Healthcare providers across specialties should have a high degree of suspicion for MPS IVA in all patients with suspected spondylo-epiphyseal dysplasia as early diagnosis and early treatment significantly improve the clinical outcome and activity of daily living.