European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: There is very little information on the clinical and etiological characteristics of hypokalemic individuals in developing nations. Very few studies have taken a methodical, approach to address the etiology of hypokalemia. This study was done to examine the clinical and etiological profile of individuals with hypokalemia, keeping in mind the nature and prevalence of hypokalemia in this area.
Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine of Owaisi hospital attached to Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana state. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria during the study duration, we found n=32 patients who were admitted with hypokalemic flaccid paralysis in all the medical units and neurology wards.
Results: Among the participants maximum of 46.9% had Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis (dRTA) followed by 21.9% who had Gitelman syndrome. Only 15.6% had Idiopathic periodic paralysis, 6.3% had GI potassium loss, and at least 3.1% had primary hyperaldosteronism. N=22(68.75%) had severe hypokalemia and n=10(31.25%) had moderate hypokalemia but none had mild hypokalemia.  In the cases of the study based on the etiology and age groups, we found in most of the cases were with secondary hypokalemia and only n=5(15.6%) with idiopathic hypokalemia.
Conclusion: The common causes were secondary causes like dRTA followed by Gitelman's syndrome followed by idiopathic or sporadic periodic paralysis. The age of onset of idiopathic or sporadic paralysis is lesser than due to secondary causes. ECG changes seen in hypokalemia were independent of serum potassium levels. Measurement of urinary potassium excretion and acid-base parameters provide valuable clues for diagnosis.