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Hypercalcaemia--a hospital survey

R A Fisken, D A Heath, A M Bold

    The Quarterly Journal of Medicine
    |January 1, 1980
    PubMed

    Insights

    This study investigated hypercalcaemia prevalence and causes in hospital patients. Malignancy was the most common cause, followed by chronic renal failure and primary hyperparathyroidism.

    Area of Science:

    • Endocrinology
    • Nephrology
    • Oncology

    Background:

    • Hypercalcaemia, elevated serum calcium, is a common metabolic disturbance.
    • Identifying the underlying causes of hypercalcaemia is crucial for patient management.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To determine the prevalence of hypercalcaemia in hospital inpatients.
    • To identify the primary causes of genuine hypercalcaemia.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective survey of hospital inpatients with elevated serum calcium.
    • Exclusion of spurious measurements.
    • Analysis of 469 confirmed cases of hypercalcaemia.

    Main Results:

    • Malignancy was the leading cause of hypercalcaemia (219 cases).
    • Chronic renal failure (68 cases) and primary hyperparathyroidism (59 cases) were other significant causes.
    • In 102 cases, no specific cause for hypercalcaemia was identified.

    Conclusions:

    • Malignancy is a predominant cause of hypercalcaemia in hospitalized patients.
    • Chronic renal failure and primary hyperparathyroidism are also common contributors.
    • Further investigation is needed for unexplained hypercalcaemia cases.

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