WDHA (watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, achlorhydria) syndrome: clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment.

Abstract

WDHA (watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria) syndrome is an unusual paraneoplastic condition caused by excess vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) secreted by certain tumors. The onset of the syndrome is insidious, and diagnosis is usually delayed by months to years. Morbidity and mortality from untreated WDHA syndrome are related to long-standing dehydration and electrolyte and acid-base disturbances resulting in chronic renal failure. Diagnosis requires documentation of large volumes of secretory diarrhea, elevated serum VIP levels, and localization of the VIP-secreting tumor. Treatment includes correction of volume, electrolyte, and metabolic abnormalities, pharmacotherapy to decrease gastrointestinal secretion and increase absorption, and ultimately surgical resection or debulking of the vipoma.