Renal tubular acidosis. Pathophysiology and diagnosis.

The pathophysiology of renal tubular acidosis is slowly being unraveled, which has implications for the traditional classification of the condition. Nonetheless, the diagnosis of renal tubular acidosis is still easy to establish, and identification of the specific pathophysiological subtype is relatively straightforward. The diagnostic information required usually includes only urinary pH and sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations and serum potassium level. The urinary pH is not a diagnostic test for renal tubular acidosis, but it serves to distinguish between the various subtypes.