[Clinical-epidemiological profile of patients with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis in two peruvian hospitals]

Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis (PPT) is an uncommon complication of hyperthyroidism, it is the most frequent cause of acute flaccid paralysis in adults.

A retrospective observational study was carried out in 2 reference hospitals of the social security in Lima-Peru, which included 22 patients diagnosed with PPT during the period 2014-2021.

the average age at diagnosis was 35.77 ± 9.6 years, all of mixed race, in 82% of the patients the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism was established from this entity, the etiology in 95% was autoimmune (Graves-Basedow) except for one whose etiology was toxic multinodular goiter. The triggering event reported in 54% of patients was the intake of copious food high in carbohydrates, followed by exercise (27%), the most frequent presentation time was during the morning (41% of the cases), the main weakness pattern compromised lower limbs (45% paraplegia, 18% paraparesis), only 36% were diagnosed with PPT in their first episode of motor weakness.

We consider that this condition should be suspected in any young male patient of any ethnicity with acute muscle weakness, associated with low serum potassium levels and symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, although its absence should not rule out the diagnosis. The precipitating factor should be identified as much as possible and initial therapy with propanolol with or without intravenous or oral potassium replacement should be established, with adequate subsequent monitoring to minimize the risk of rebound hyperkalemia.