Do patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism in San Francisco, CA, and Bursa, Turkey, differ?

BACKGROUND

To compare the preoperative clinical symptoms and associated conditions and findings in operations in age- and sex-matched patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) living in the two different regions of the world to determine whether PHPT differs in various countries.

METHODS

Fifty-two patients from Bursa, Turkey were matched with 52 age and sex matched patients from San Francisco, USA. Patients' preoperative symptoms, biochemical and radiologic findings and surgical procedures were documented.

RESULTS

More patients in the American Group (15%) had preoperatively persistant or recurrent hyperparathyroidism, P = 0.016. Serum parathyroid hormone levels were higher in Turkish group (546 +/- 75.33 pg/mL) than in American group (146 +/- 75.33 pg/mL). More Turkish patients had osteoporosis (P < 0.05). The size of parathyroid adenomas was significantly greater in Turkish patients (25.2 +/- 1.18 mm) than in American patients (17.5 +/- 1.18 mm), P < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with PHPT from Bursa, Turkey have higher plasma parathyroid hormone levels, larger parathyroid adenomas and more severe bone disease than in age and sex matched patients with PHPT in San Francisco.