Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis: A retrospective, observational study from India

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Neurology

Background:

• Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a critical endocrine condition.
• It manifests as sudden flaccid paralysis in patients with thyrotoxicosis and hypokalemia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical characteristics of TPP patients in India.
• To evaluate the presentation, and outcomes of TPP.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective observational study was conducted.
• Data from 15 TPP patients across three Indian tertiary care centers were analyzed.

Main Results:

• The study included 15 patients (14 male, 1 female) with 32 TPP episodes.
• The average age was 30.2 years; 14 had overt thyrotoxicosis.
• Hypokalemia was present in 12 patients, with a mean serum potassium of 3.2 mmol/l.

Conclusions:

• TPP in this cohort presented at an early age.
• Clinical and biochemical signs of thyrotoxicosis were common.
• Hypokalemia is not a universal finding in TPP.