The effect of multiphasic biochemical screening on the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism

Experience of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) at the Royal Brisbane Hospital was reviewed to determine the effect of multiphasic biochemical screening, introduced during 1970, on the rate of diagnosis of this disease. In the period 1959-1970, there were 28 proved cases and, in the period 1971-1974, 41 cases, an increase from 2.5 to 11.7 cases per annum. The main factor contributing to this increase was the inclusion of plasma calcium in the multiphasic screening programme, together with correction of the plasma calcium for the total protein concentration in the same blood sample.