title: Longstanding hypoparathyroidism in a fifty-two-year-old woman misdiagnosed as spondyloarthropathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypoparathyroidism might cause various musculoskeletal findings, resembling Spondyloarthropathies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We described a 52-year-old woman, diagnosed as a case of undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy for ten years, who was unresponsive to classic anti-inflammatory therapies. She developed anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and had elevated muscle enzymes during the course of disease. On a routine checkup, marked hypocalcemia and suppressed parathyroid hormone levels were found. Calcium and calcitriol therapy led to clinical and laboratory improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing rheumatic manifestations of hypoparathyroidism to preclude unnecessary treatments. Serum calcium should be included in the diagnostic workup of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Firouzgar General Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mozhdeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zabihiyeganeh
authors.affiliation: Booali General Hospital, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Adel
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Jahed
authors.affiliation: Firouzgar General Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hounaz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akbari
keywords: Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy; Hypoparathyroidism; Spondyloarthropathy