Effects of nasal calcitonin on bone mineral density following parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether nasal salmon calcitonin (CT; 200 U/day) given in addition to calcium helps to restore the bone mass after parathyroidectomy (PTX) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).


METHODS
Twenty patients with PHPT were enrolled after successful PTX and received 1 g calcium per os daily for 1 year. They were randomly assigned either to nasal CT (CT group) or to no treatment. The bone mass was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at multiple sites.


RESULTS
Eight patients in each group completed the study. After 12 months, the bone mass increased significantly at whole-body level and at lumbar spine in both groups, increased at hip and epiphyses of tibia or radius in the CT group only, and did not change at diaphyses of tibia and radius in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
Bone mass increases after PTX for PHPT in patients receiving oral calcium. CT may help to restore the bone mass at sites of the appendicular skeleton, where trabecular bone predominates.
Casez
J-P
JP
Department of Nephrology, University Hospital, Nice, France.
Tschopp
P
P
Sandberg Tschopp
A
A
Lippuner
K
K
Zingg
E
E
Jaeger
P
P
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002118:Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016105:Parathyroidectomy; D011184:Postoperative Period
D015415:Biomarkers; C028815:salmon calcitonin; D002116:Calcitonin; D002118:Calcium