The effect of parathyroidectomy on bone mineral density in primary hyperparathyroidism

This study aimed to investigate the change in bone mineral density (BMD) before and 1 year after parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).

The clinical and biochemical parameters and DEXA screening of patients with symptomatic PHPT (n = 28) and asymptomatic PHPT (n = 63) were investigated before and 1 year after parathyroidectomy.

Patients with symptomatic PHPT had a higher prevalence of nephrolithiasis (18.2% vs. 4.6%, P = 0.032) when compared to the prevalence in patients with asymptomatic PHPT. The prevalence of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine (63.0% vs. 37.5%, P = 0.026) and femoral neck (40.7% vs. 20.6%, P = 0.048) was higher in symptomatic PHPT when compared to the prevalence in asymptomatic PHPT. After parathyroidectomy, the decreases in the prevalence of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine (25.8% vs. 9.4%, P = 0.014), femoral neck (22.1% vs. 8.2%, P =0.009), and total hip (22.4% vs. 5.3%, P = 0.007) were higher in symptomatic PHPT compared to the asymptomatic PHPT group. A higher BMD gain (g/cm2) was seen in the lumbar spine (10.83% vs. 4.65%, P=0.016) and femoral neck (12.61% vs. 4.37%, P=0.005) in symptomatic PHPT compared to the asymptomatic PHPT group.

Parathyroidectomy provided more BMD gain in the lumbar spine and femoral neck in patients with symptomatic PHPT when compared to patients with asymptomatic PHPT 1 year after parathyroidectomy.