Hypophosphatemia in Chronic Alcoholism

Abstract

An association of hypophosphatemia with chronic alcoholism was found in 11 patients who were admitted to a county hospital emergency room. Nondiabetic ketoacidosis, pancreatitis, hematemesis, altered sensorium, and pneumonia were concomitant findings in some of these patients. The hypophosphatemia was associated with low levels of red blood cell ATP, abnormal erythrocyte filtration, and, in at least one patient, with hemolytic anemia.