Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Manifestations

Primary hyperparathyroidism is an endocrine disorder characterized by chronic hypercalcaemia resulting from the unregulated excessive production of parathyroid hormone. This study aimed mainly to determine the clinical manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism within the African population. This study was a systematic review carried out in strict compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The meta-analysis was executed utilizing Meta XL version 5.3, applying the DerSimonian Laird random-effects model. A total of 52 studies met the eligibility criteria, resulting in an overall sample size of 2,807 patients. The average age was 55.1 years. Seventy-nine percentage of the patients were women. Asymptomatic individuals represented 26% of the population. The most common symptoms include bone pain, lethargy, and features related to renal stones. Familial primary hyperparathyroidism is observed in 6% of patients. The majority of individuals diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism are women in their sixth decade. In contrast to developed countries, a considerable number of Africans suffering from primary hyperparathyroidism have already shown symptoms, which are frequently non-specific or have encountered complications before obtaining a diagnosis.