Key result
Hypokalemic paralysis was the most common etiology of acute flaccid paralysis in adults, accounting for 53% of cases, followed by Guillain-Barre Syndrome (28%) and neuroparalytic snake bite (12%).
Why the study?
While studies on acute flaccid paralysis exist in paediatric populations, few have evaluated the underlying causes, clinical presentations, and outcomes in adults.
Observational (n=100)
No
Hypokalemic paralysis is the leading cause of acute flaccid paralysis in adults in rural Eastern India, predominantly affecting males during the summer, highlighting the need for rapid diagnosis and management of this treatable condition.
Hypokalemic paralysis predominates in this adult AFP cohort; leaves open regional generalizability and need for prospective validation.
Background and Objectives: Various studies are available regarding acute flaccid paralysis in the paediatric population regarding AFP prevalence. However, few such studies have been conducted among adults. Our aim was to study the underlying causes of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in adults, to study the various clinical presentation of AFP in adults, and to study the outcome of these adult patients presenting with AFP. Methods: 100 patients presenting with acute flaccid weakness in adults more than 15 years and duration less than 4 weeks were clinically examined with proper history, followed by detailed blood tests, CSF study in selected patient, and Electrodiagnostic testing. Results: In our study we found Hypokalemic paralysis is the most common etiology of AFP. There is male preponderance and significant seasonal variation, predominant during summer. It also shows that GB syndrome is predominant in young patient where as Hypokalemic paralysis is predominant after third decade. There are 4 deaths out of 100 AFP patients Interpretation and Conclusion: This is one of the few studies on Acute Flaccid Paralysis in adult from Eastern India-on their etiologies and clinical features. There was no much difference in the clinical profile of the patients of AFP in our study as compared to most of the previous studies. Larger sample size and longer duration of follow-up is necessary to identify other conditions causing acute flaccid paralysis and their long-term outcomes.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Dr Debal Laha (2021) conducted an observational in Acute flaccid paralysis (n=100). Etiology of acute flaccid paralysis was evaluated on Most common etiology of acute flaccid paralysis. Hypokalemic paralysis was the most common etiology of acute flaccid paralysis in adults, accounting for 53% of cases, followed by Guillain-Barre Syndrome (28%) and neuroparalytic snake bite (12%).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: