The impact of vitamin D deficiency on clinical, biochemical and metabolic parameters in primary hyperparathyroidism

It has been suggested that vitamin D deficiency is associated with worse clinical outcomes in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). We aimed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and clinical, biochemical and metabolic parameters in PHPT patients.

A total of 128 patients with biochemically confirmed PHPT were included. Patients were categorized as vitamin D deficient if 25-OH vitamin D was <50nmol/L, or normal if vitamin D was ≥50nmol/L. Biochemical parameters, bone mineral densitometry (BMD), and urinary tract and neck ultrasonography were assessed.

In the study group, 66 (51.6%) patients had vitamin D deficiency and 60 (48.4%) had normal vitamin D levels. Nephrolithiasis and osteoporosis were found in 26.6% and 30.5% of subjects, respectively. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), obesity (BMI≥30kg/m²) and hypertension (HTN) were higher in the vitamin D deficient group when compared to the normal group (p=0.04, p=0.01 and p=0.03, respectively). There was no difference regarding the presence of nephrolithiasis and osteoporosis between the groups. The mean adenoma size was similar in both groups.

Vitamin D deficiency was not associated with osteoporosis, nephrolithiasis, adenoma size or biochemical parameters in PHPT. However, vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for developing HTN and MetS in PHPT.