Quality of Life in Patients With Asymptomatic Primary Hyperparathyroidism After Parathyroidectomy: A 3-Year Longitudinal Study

• Published in: Endocrine practice
• Main Authors: Tzikos, Georgios, Chorti, Angeliki, Evangelos, Sykaras, Boura, Evangelia, Manani, Christina, Adamidou, Fotini, Tziatzios, Ioannis, Zisi, Anna, Economou, Fotios, Toulis, Konstantinos, Pliakos, Ioannis, Michalopoulos, Antonios, Papavramidisos, Theodosios
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.2021
• Subjects: quality of life; PAS questionnaire; primary hyperparathyroidism
• ISSN: 1530-891X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2021.01.003

Impaired quality of life (QoL) is considered as a nonclassical manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). This study aimed to detect and compare changes in the QoL of patients with asymptomatic PHPT who had successful curative parathyroidectomy (PTX) 3 months and 3 years after the procedure. Patients with diagnosed PHPT were eligible for the study. There were 2 groups: the PTX group, with patients who underwent PTX, and the non-PTX group, with patients who were treated conservatively. QoL was assessed using Pasieka's Parathyroid Assessment of Symptoms Questionnaire (PAS-Q) at baseline, 3 months, and 3 years. Thirty-eight patients were included in the study: 18 in the PTX group and 20 in the non-PTX group. In the PTX group, the mean PAS-Q total score before PTX was 518, which was reduced significantly at the 3-month (P = .003) and 3-year assessments (P = .001). However, in the non-PTX group, the mean PAS-Q total score was 326 at baseline and increased continuously for 3 years (P = .019). At the 3-year evaluation, the mean total score was significantly higher compared to that of the PTX group (P = .021). Finally, there was a positive correlation between total serum calcium and PAS-Q score in the non-PTX group (r = 0.524, P = .018). QoL of patients with PHPT improved significantly compared to that in conservative surveillance as early as 3 months after successful, curative PTX, and remained improved for 3 years. This finding strengthens, even more, the hypothesis that PTX contributes to better QoL, suggesting that the derangement of QoL may be considered as an individual indication for surgery.