Hypokalemic myopathy in a patient with gluten-sensitive enteropathy and dermatitis herpetiformis Duhring: a case report

World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Apr 7;11(13):2039-40. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i13.2039.

Abstract

The case of a 22-year-old patient with symptomatic hypokalemia caused by rhabdomyolysis is presented as a rarely reported complication of gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE) and dermatitis herpetiformis Duhring. The patient's myopathy ceased on potassium supplementation and her other complaints resolved while on gluten-free diet. Recovery was otherwise uneventful with a rapid decline in serum CPK level. At the time of her last follow-up a few months later, she was free of symptoms and CPK remained stable. Patients with GSE may present with hypokalemia in association with diarrhea and emesis, and if potassium loss is rapid, rhabdomyolysis may occur.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Celiac Disease / complications*
  • Celiac Disease / pathology
  • Dermatitis Herpetiformis / complications*
  • Dermatitis Herpetiformis / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypokalemia / complications*
  • Hypokalemia / drug therapy
  • Hypokalemia / pathology
  • Muscular Diseases / complications*
  • Muscular Diseases / drug therapy
  • Muscular Diseases / pathology
  • Potassium / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Potassium