An Unusual Initial Presentation of Sjögren’s Syndrome: Severe Hypokalemic Paralysis Secondary to Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis

Abstract

Abstract

Sjögren’s syndrome is mainly affects the exocrine glands. Patients usually complain of persistent dryness of the mouth and eyes. However, nonexocrine organs such as the kidneys are often affected in these patients. Distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) and interstitiel nephritis are common in Sjögren’s syndrome. Nonetheless, severe hypokalemia and paralysis secondary to dRTA are unusual initial manifestation of Sjögren’s syndrome. Here, we describe a case of a 48 year old women admitted to the emergency setting with severe hypokalemic paralysis and diagnosed Sjögren’s syndrome.