Serum potassium exercise test in the diagnosis of familial periodic paralysis

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Abstract
The serum K rise during a 30 min 100 W exercise test in 5 controls, 3 familial periodic paralysis (FPP) patients and their 2 symptomless brothers was studied. The controls showed a steep and high exercise response (the 10 min rise was 0.59 .+-. 0.13 mmol/l and the maximal rise was 0.71 .+-. 0.11 mmol/l). The FPP patients showed a slow and flat exercise response (the 10 min rise was 0.08 .+-. 0.11 mmol/l and the maximal rise was 0.17 .+-. 0.12 mmol/l; P < 0.001 for both values). The 2 symptomless brothers showed a similar divergence. The values of 0.05 mmol/l (10 min) and 0.25 mmol/l (maximal) of 1 brother suggest the diagnosis of FPP, whereas the values of 0.55 (10 min) and 0.65 mmol/l (maximal) of the other brother suggest the exclusion of the disease. The serum K exercise test is worthy of further study as a diagnostic test of FPP.