Changes in bone mass and serum markers of bone metabolism after parathyroidectomy.
BACKGROUND
Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is associated with an increased bone turnover. The simultaneous use of biochemical and bone mass measurements before and after parathyroidectomy is sparsely reported. This study was carried out to evaluate changes in bone mass and markers of bone metabolism in postmenopausal women with PHPT after parathyroidectomy.


METHODS
Twelve women, mean age of 63 years, were investigated. Measurements of bone mineral density (total body, spine, hip, and forearm bone mineral density) with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were performed before operation and at follow-up at a median of 23 months. Concomitantly, changes in serum intact parathyroid hormone, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP), osteocalcin, carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen, and the immunoactive carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen were recorded.


RESULTS
At follow-up a significant increase in bone mineral density of the spine (p < 0.05), femoral neck (p < 0.05), Ward's triangle (p < 0.05), and trochanter (p < 0.01) was observed. No significant changes in the forearm were registered. Levels of parathyroid hormone, B-ALP, and osteocalcin were elevated and intercorrelated before operation. The serum levels of these parameters decreased significantly after operation. Serum levels of carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen and the immunoactive carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen did not significantly differ from a reference population, and no major changes were observed at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Bone mineral density in the spine and hip is improved after parathyroidectomy in postmenopausal women with primary hyperparathyrodism. Serum levels of B-ALP and osteocalcin are elevated in PHPT and decrease after operation. The clinical usefulness of serum markers of collagen metabolism in investigating bone metabolism in PHPT seems limited.
Thorsen
K
K
Department of Orthopedics, University Hospital of Northern Sweden, Umeå, Sweden.
Kristoffersson
A O
AO
Lorentzon
R P
RP
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015519:Bone Density; D003094:Collagen / Q000097:blood*; D024042:Collagen Type I; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood*; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D016105:Parathyroidectomy; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D017698:Postmenopause; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood*; D011884:Radius; D013131:Spine; D013997:Time Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides; D011347:Procollagen; C052929:collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide; C042813:procollagen type I carboxy terminal peptide; D015675:Osteocalcin; D003094:Collagen; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase