[Treatment practice in primary hyperparathyroidism]

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Surgical Practice
• Healthcare Management

Context:

• Significant regional variations in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) treatment exist in Norway.
• Lack of consensus on surgical indications for PHP.
• Previous studies highlight disparities in PHP management.

Purpose:

• To survey Norwegian endocrine surgeons and endocrinologists regarding their opinions on surgical treatment indications for PHP.
• To investigate factors contributing to regional differences in PHP surgery rates.
• To assess adherence to international guidelines for PHP surgical treatment.

Summary:

• A questionnaire was distributed to 46 surgeons and endocrinologists across 17 Norwegian hospitals concerning PHP preoperative evaluation and surgical indications.
• While surgeons and endocrinologists showed agreement on indications, neither group strictly followed international guidelines.
• Differences in preoperative evaluations and indications did not correlate with regional surgery frequencies, and patients in high-frequency hospitals were often diagnosed in surgical departments.

Impact:

• Findings suggest that variations in clinical practice and adherence to guidelines do not fully explain regional disparities in PHP surgery rates.
• Highlights the need for further research into the drivers of regional variations in surgical treatment for PHP.
• Informs potential strategies for standardizing PHP care and improving patient outcomes across different regions.