Prospective evaluation of quality of life (SF-36v2) and nonspecific symptoms before and after cure of primary hyperparathyroidism (1-year follow-up).
BACKGROUND
Only a minority of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) present with the "classic" symptoms. Most patients have numerous nonspecific symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients' quality of life and nonspecific symptoms before and after cure for pHPT.


METHODS
This prospective, multicentric study, which took place from May 2003 to September 2004, included 100 patients. Six academic departments of Endocrine Surgery in France participated in the study: the University of Angers, Limoges, Nancy, Nantes, Marseille, and Poitiers. Only cured patients were included. All patients were given preoperative and postoperative questionnaires (the SF-36v2 Health Survey) at 3, 6, and 12 months to evaluate quality of life and nonspecific symptoms.


RESULTS
Preoperatively, the main nonspecific symptoms included the following: anxiety (89%); muscular, bone, or join pain (87%); abdominal distention (82%); forgetfulness (81%); headaches (81%); and mood swings (79%). Quality of life was significantly improved at 3 and 6 months (P < .05). At 1 year postoperatively, statistically significant improvement (P < .05) persisted in all 8 domains of the SF-36v2. At 1 year after parathyroidectomy, 5 symptoms remained significantly improved: appetite loss, weight loss, thirst, headache, and nausea.


CONCLUSIONS
Operative cure of primary hyperparathyroidism significantly improves quality of life and nonspecific symptoms for at least 1 year.
Caillard
Cécile
C
Department of Digestive and Endocrine Surgery, CHU Nantes, France.
Sebag
Frédéric
F
Mathonnet
Muriel
M
Gibelin
Hélène
H
Brunaud
Laurent
L
Loudot
Coralie
C
Kraimps
Jean-Louis
JL
Hamy
Antoine
A
Bresler
Laurent
L
Charbonnel
Bernard
B
Leborgne
Joel
J
Henry
Jean-François
JF
Nguyen
Jean-Michel
JM
Mirallié
Eric
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D049950:Hyperparathyroidism, Primary / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016105:Parathyroidectomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome