title: Primary hyperparathyroidism and neuropsychiatric alterations in a nonagenarian woman.
abstract: Whether elderly patients with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) should be treated or not is still under debate. Several literature reports have shown improvements in terms of bone density and physical and mental well-being after surgical resolution of PHPT. Here, we present the case of a 93-year-old hypertensive woman, who had suffered for one year from cognitive impairment, accompanied during the last month by behavioral alterations (and polyuria and polydipsia), which resulted in sopor leading to hospitalization. A CT brain scan evidenced cortical atrophy and cerebrovascular disease, and biochemical analyses were remarkable for hypercalcemia (11.4-12.6 mg/dL, corrected for albumin levels) associated with increased parathormone levels (95.4-100.6 pg/mL). A diagnosis of PHPT was established. Densitometry evaluation of radius showed osteopenia. Withdrawal of psycho-therapy drugs and thiazidic, together with i.v. saline hydration and loop diuretics, significantly improved the patient's mental state and resolved behavioral alterations. As the patient and her relatives refused the surgical option, and the clinical situation improved after medical normalization of calcium levels, PHPT was managed conservatively, and calcium levels were maintained within the normal range through i.v. administration of zoledronate at 8-week intervals. Our case highlights the importance of considering hypercalcemia as the cause of onset of behavioral alterations and worsening of mental condition in elderly patients with cognitive decline. Therapy with bisphosphonates in patients with PHPT who are unfit for or refuse surgery seems advisable, but needs further study.
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatrics, Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy. camilla.prete@galliera.it
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prete
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Foppiani
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trasciatti
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Senesi
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Veneziano
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barone
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Palummeri
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000150:complications*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
chemical_list: D004164:Diphosphonates; D004232:Diuretics; D007093:Imidazoles; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid