Primary hyperparathyroidism and vitamin D in African Americans.
OBJECTIVE
Vitamin D deficiency is more common in African Americans than in the general population or other ethnicities. Vitamin D deficiency also occurs more frequently in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) than in the general population. Currently, the limited data on vitamin D deficiency in African Americans with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is inconsistent as to whether the vitamin D deficiency observed in PHPT is yet even more pronounced in Africans with PHPT relative to non-African Americans with PHPT.


METHODS
On the basis of biochemical, radiological, and surgical (adenoma weight) parameters, African Americans have been reported to have a more severe form of PHPT than non-African Americans. However, comparative clinical manifestations of PHPT in African Americans have not been well described.


RESULTS
Current guidelines recommend vitamin D repletion in mild, asymptomatic PHPT when levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are less than 20 ng/mL. Studies that reported vitamin D repletion with ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol in PHPT have not stratified data according to ethnicity. Discrepancies therefore exist between repleting vitamin D in African Americans who may potentially have a more severe PHPT profile, but simultaneously a more pronounced vitamin D deficiency.


CONCLUSIONS
Effectively designed clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the indications, efficacy, and safety of vitamin D in African Americans with PHPT.
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida 32209, USA.
Jaisri
J
Maharaj
Michael J
MJ
Haas
Kent R
KR
Wehmeier
D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D049950:Hyperparathyroidism, Primary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D015995:Prevalence; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*
D014807:Vitamin D