Screening for Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: A.M. PARFITT
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1988)

Letters and Corrections1 January 1988Screening for Primary HyperparathyroidismA.M. PARFITT, M.D., D. SUDHAKER RAO, M.D., M. KLEEREKOPER, M.D.A.M. PARFITT, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, D. SUDHAKER RAO, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, M. KLEEREKOPER, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-108-1-151_2 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: We agree with Heath (1) that most patients with primary hyperparathyroidism discovered as a result of multichannel biochemical screening would not otherwise have been identified; in our experience, the proportion of such patients who have no symptoms is considerably higher than 50%. But we disagree that the need for surgery has been clearly established.Among the "compelling reasons" mentioned is an adverse effect on bone, but although patients with mild hyperparathyroidism have lost too much appendicular cortical bone, they are no longer losing bone faster than expected (2). Furthermore, the prevalence of vertebral deformation on radiographs is...References1. HEATH H. Serum biochemical profiles in screening of adults [Letter]. Ann Intern Med. 1987;107:260. LinkGoogle Scholar2. WILSON R, RAO D, PARFITT A, PUMO B, FRAME B, and KLEEREKOPER M. Lack of continued effect of parathyroid hormone on bone mineral content in patients with untreated asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism. In: COHN DV, MARTIN TJ, MEUNIER PJ, eds. Calcium Regulation and Bone Metabolism: Basis and Clinical Aspects. New York: Excerpta Medica; 1985. Google Scholar3. WILSON R, RAO S, KLEEREKOPER M, and PARFITT A. Is asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) a risk factor for vertebral compression fractures (VCF)? J Bone Min Res. 1987;2(suppl 1):109. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. PARFITT A, KLEEREKOPER M, RAO D, STANCIU J, and VILLANEUVA A. Cellular mechanisms of cortical thinning in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). J Bone Min Res. 1987;2(suppl 1):384. Google Scholar5. DEQUEKER J, GORES P, and VYTTERSHOEVEN R. Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis: anthropometric distinction. JAMA. 1983;249:1448-50. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. COE F, FAVUS M, and PARKS J. Is estrogen preferable to surgery for postmenopausal women with primary hyperparathyroidism? N Engl J Med. 1986;314:1508-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: A.M. PARFITT, M.D.; D. SUDHAKER RAO, M.D.; M. KLEEREKOPER, M.D.Affiliations: Bone and Mineral Research Laboratory Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, MI 48202 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byProgressive rise in the prevalence of asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism in India: Data from PHPT registry 1 January 1988Volume 108, Issue 1Page: 151-152KeywordsBoneHyperparathyroidismSurgery ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 January 1988 PDF downloadLoading ...