[Primary hyperparathyroidism]

Over the past 40 years primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) has changed from a rare, severe disease of the bones and kidneys to a common disease with hypertension, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, easy fatigue and proximal muscle weakness. We have during these 40 years examined one of the greatest group of patients with PHP. PHP had its maximum incidence in women over the age of 40. The disease is four times frequent in women as in man. The incidence of hypertension and peptic ulcer between patients with PHP is higher as compared with the incidence of these diseases in general populations. The severity of bone changes in individual patients with PHP does not result from the direct action of a single hormone only. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) have hypotensive and vasodilator effects on various vascular beds. The resting blood flow in the limbs of our patients with PHP is increased in comparison with control subjects. PTH increases plasma renin activity in normotensive controls. This effect is partly blocked by beta adrenergic blockers.