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The prevalence and natural history of normocalcaemic hypoparathyroidism in a United Kingdom referral population
Author(s) -
Schini Marian,
Stirling Rebecca,
Jacques Richard M.,
Oakes Eleanor,
Peel Nicola F. A.,
Walsh Jennifer S.,
Eastell Richard
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/cen.14209
Subject(s) - hypocalcaemia , medicine , hypoparathyroidism , parathyroid hormone , referral , population , context (archaeology) , pediatrics , natural history , retrospective cohort study , calcium , environmental health , paleontology , family medicine , biology
Context Normocalcaemic hypoparathyroidism (NHYPO) is characterized by low levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) with normal levels of calcium. There is little in the current literature on this disease, with only two studies published on its prevalence, while its natural history remains relatively unknown. Objectives To identify the prevalence of NHYPO in a UK referral population and to study the natural history of the disorder. Design Retrospective study. Five‐year follow‐up. Patients 6280 patients referred for a BMD measurement in a Metabolic Bone referral centre. Measurements Prevalence of NHYPO and variability of calcium. Results Based on laboratory results on the index day, 22 patients with NHYPO were identified. Four patients were excluded due to non‐PTH‐induced hypocalcaemia and unconfirmed data. The final prevalence was 0.29%. Only 67% had persistent normocalcaemia, and the rest had intermittent hypocalcaemia. Two of these patients also had persistently low PTH on two occasions. Most of the patients had one PTH measurement available. No patient developed permanent hypoparathyroidism. Conclusions The prevalence calculated from this UK referral population is lower when compared to results from previous studies. NHYPO patients often have episodes of hypocalcaemia with some cases having no apparent reason for calcium levels below the reference range.