Secondary Sjogren's syndrome presenting with distal tubular acidosis and quadriparesis

Abstract

A 52-year-old female patient was admitted to Intensive Care Unit with complaints of quadriparesis. Investigations revealed distal renal tubular acidosis (DRTA) secondary to Sjogren's syndrome with involvement of the parotid and thyroid glands. Laboratory investigations showed hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis and an alkaline urine pH with clinical signs of sicca syndrome. Sjogren's syndrome is associated with DRTA and occurrences of quadriparetic hypokalemia, nephrolithiasis, and osteomalacia can be prevented with early diagnosis and lifelong treatment with potassium and alkali replacement.