Secondary hyperparathyroidism status in Brazil: Brazilian census of parathyroidectomy

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHP) is a common and serious complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a negative impact on morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in the clinical management of SHP, treatment failure still occurs in a significant number of patients. In such cases, parathyroidectomy (PTx) is indicated.

To have an overview of the prevalence of severe SHP and of its surgical treatment in hemodialysis (HD) patients in Brazil.

This was an observational and descriptive study. Data were obtained from questionnaires posted to 660 dialysis units (DU).

Results are expressed in absolute values and percentages, or means and standard deviation, as appropriate. 226 (34%) DU answered the questionnaire, providing data about 32,264 HD patients. The prevalence rate of severe SHP (PTH > 1,000 pg/mL) was 10.7 % (n = 3,463). 68 hospitals countrywide perform PTX. Around 40% of them are university centers. 49 (21.7%) DU reported not to have a specialized medical center to refer their patients with severe SHP. 74 (33%) DU reported that the time interval between surgery indication and its performance was over 6 months. The main recognized obstacles to surgery performance were: difficulty to perform the preoperative exams, lack of head and neck surgeons and the long waiting time.

Although severe SHP is highly prevalent in Brazil, a significant number of patients do not have access to PTx. Better public health policies and liaison between nephrologists and head and neck surgeons are urgently required to change this reality.