Prospective surgical outcome study of relief of symptoms following surgery in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

Many of the symptoms experienced by patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) develop insidiously and have often been misinterpreted as normal aging. The purpose of this study was to quantify HPT patients' preoperative symptoms prospectively and study the impact of successful surgical intervention on these symptoms. Altogether 63 consecutive patients with primary HPT and 54 comparison patients with nontoxic thyroid disease were prospectively enrolled in the study. An outcome questionnaire documenting symptoms with a visual analog scale (VAS) was used. The questionnaire was filled out preoperatively and at 7 to 10 days and 3 and 12 months postoperatively. At 1 year the questionnaire also included a general health assessment and quality of life index. Demographic data and follow-up blood work was obtained. Descriptive statistics, parametric comparisons (t-tests, ANOVA), and nonparametric comparisons (Mann-Whitney U-test) were calculated. The HPT group demonstrated a significant decrease in reported symptoms between the preoperatively assessment and 7 to 10 days after operation (p < 0.001). There were no further statistically significant decreases in the HT group's symptoms at 3 and 12 months, but there was a trend for these symptoms to decrease over time. HPT patients perceived a 60% increase in their general health at 1 year; the comparison group perceived no increase. There was no significant change in the symptoms reported by the comparison group between each of the study intervals. Surgical intervention on HPT patients significantly reduces preoperative symptoms, and this reduction is most marked within the first 10 days after surgery.