Hypokalemic paralysis as a presenting manifestation of primary Sjögren's syndrome accompanied by vitamin D deficiency

Intern Med. 2013;52(20):2351-3. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.52.0899.

Abstract

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by progressive lymphocyte infiltration of the exocrine glands. Overt or latent renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a common extraglandular manifestation of pSS.Vitamin D deficiency is associated with autoimmune disorders; however, the potential correlation between pSS and vitamin D deficiency is rarely discussed. The current patient presented with distal RTA, hypocalcemia, and hypophosphatemia that were found to be secondary to both vitamin D deficiency and pSS. In patients diagnosed with both distal RTA and vitamin D deficiency, clinicians should consider autoimmune diseases such as pSS, as a possible underlying etiology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Hypokalemia / diagnosis*
  • Hypokalemia / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paralysis / diagnosis*
  • Paralysis / etiology
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / complications
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / diagnosis*