Electrolytes & Blood Pressure  2017;15(1):17-22

doi:10.5049/EBP.2017.15.1.17

Renal Tubular Acidosis in Patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome.

Su Woong JUNG 1 ; Eun Ji PARK ; Jin Sug KIM ; Tae Won LEE ; Chun Gyoo IHM ; Sang Ho LEE ; Ju Young MOON ; Yang Gyun KIM ; Kyung Hwan JEONG

Affiliations

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Keywords

Sjögren's syndrome; Osteomalacia; Renal tubular acidosis; Hypokalemia

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands resulting in decreased saliva and tear production. It uncommonly involves the kidneys in various forms, including tubulointerstitial nephritis, renal tubular acidosis, Fanconi syndrome, and rarely glomerulonephritis. Its clinical symptoms include muscle weakness, periodic paralysis, and bone pain due to metabolic acidosis and electrolyte imbalance. Herein, we describe the cases of two women with pSS whose presenting symptoms involve the kidneys. They had hypokalemia and normal anion gap metabolic acidosis due to distal renal tubular acidosis and positive anti-SS-A and anti-SS-B autoantibodies. Since one of them experienced femoral fracture due to osteomalacia secondary to renal tubular acidosis, an earlier diagnosis of pSS is important in preventing serious complications.