24-hour Urine Calcium Predicts Reduced Fracture Incidence and Improved Bone Mineral Density After Surgery for Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

CONTEXT: Contemporary patients with primary hyperparathyroidism are diagnosed with milder disease than previously. Clinical and biochemical factors predictors with an impact on fracture incidence and bone mineral density after surgery have not been firmly established.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate predictors of fracture incidence and bone mineral density preoperatively and after surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT).

DESIGN

Prospectively collected surgical cohort with matched population controls. Data were cross-linked with the Swedish National Patient Register, the Prescribed Drug Register, and the Cause of Death Register.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS OR OTHER

PARTICIPANTS

Seven hundred nine patients with successful parathyroidectomy for pHPT and 2112 controls matched on sex, age, and municipality were included in the study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fracture incidence, absolute change, and ≥2.77% increase in bone mineral density of femoral neck, L2-L4, and distal third of radius at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Patients with pHPT had an increased fracture incidence before surgery but not after pHPT surgery. Fracture incidence after surgery was inversely related to preoperative 24-hour urine calcium (incidence rate ratio for the highest tertile 220- mg/d 0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.11-0.73). Serum and 24-hour urine calcium, parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin, and adenoma weight were all associated with bone mineral density recovery after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Twenty-four-hour urine calcium is the most important biochemical variable to predict a decreased fracture incidence and improved bone mineral density after surgery for pHPT.