Controversies in the Management of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Chronic Kidney Disease

Cost-Effectiveness and Clinical Outcomes of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism Treatments in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

The study addresses the challenge of treating secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, focusing on the cost-effectiveness of surgical versus pharmacological interventions. Conducting a retrospective analysis on 152 CKD patients with SHPT at the Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, the study matched 80 patients into two groups: 40 undergoing parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation (PTX + AT) and 40 treated with calcimimetics. PTX + AT was more effective in alleviating symptoms, particularly bodily pain, and demonstrated greater cost-effectiveness over a long-term period compared to calcimimetics. This was especially significant in patients with PTH levels > 1800 pg/mL and hyperphosphatemia. Despite similar initial costs, PTX + AT led to a substantial decrease in expenses during the 2-5 years post-treatment period, PTX + AT results in an ICER of -RMB 26.71/QALY for the first post-treatment year and -RMB-111.9k/QALY for the 2-5 year period, indicating cost-effectiveness with reduced long-term costs. The study also found an increased economic burden in managing patients with hyperphosphatemia. Surgical intervention (PTX + AT) is advocated as the primary treatment strategy for severe SHPT in CKD patients, owing to its long-term economic and clinical advantages. The results underscore the need for a severity-based approach in treating SHPT.

Misdiagnosis of chronic kidney disease and parathyroid hormone testing during the past 16 years

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent pathological condition worldwide. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is an important index related to bone metabolism in CKD patients and has not received enough attention. This study was performed to investigate the incidence and diagnostic rate of CKDin hospital as well as PTH testing and treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with stage 3 to 5 CKD. The data of patients who visited Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital from February 2006 to April 2022 were retrieved from the hospital database. All data were divided into three subgroups using PTH testing and SHPT treatment as major comparative indicators for analysis. The data were then analyzed for overall PTH testing, CKD incidence, and diagnostic rate. Among 5,301,391 patients, the incidence of CKD was 13.14%. The missed diagnosis rate for CKD was 65.76%. The total PTH testing rate was 1.22%, of which 15.37% of PTH testing was performed in patients with stage 3 to 5 CKD. The overall diagnosis rate of SHPT in patients with stage 3 to 5 CKD was 31.0%. The prophylactic medication rate was 7.4%, and the rate of post-diagnostic drug therapy was 22.2% in patients who underwent SHPT treatment. The high misdiagnosis rate and low PTH testing rate of CKD requires prompt attention from clinicians. SHPT treatment should be considered especially in patients with stage 3 to 5 CKD.

Secondary Hyperparathyroidism Presenting as a Brown Tumor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Severe secondary hyperparathyroidism in advanced stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with CKD-related mineral and bone disease (CKD-MBD). A 70-year-old woman was admitted at the Hospital for generalized bone pain and peripheral edema. Initial laboratory tests revealed normocytic anemia and severe renal dysfunction, and further tests evidenced severe secondary hyperparathyroidism. Full-body computerized tomography showed an osteolytic lesion in the right iliac wing. The iliac bone lesion was biopsied and histological examination was consistent with the diagnosis of a brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism. Brown tumors are a rare variant of osteitis fibrosa cystica that results from sustained high levels of parathyroid hormone in CKD. This case sheds light on rare complications that are experienced today in CKD. The clinical and biochemical setting, as well as the clinical suspicion, are essential to the diagnosis.

Mineral and bone disorder and longterm survival in a chronic kidney disease grade 3b-4cohort

Mineral and bone disorder biomarkers ‘normal ranges’ are controversial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between serum calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and 25(OH) vitamin D levels and mortality risk, in a chronic kidney disease (CKD) grade (G) 3b-4 cohort. The Uruguayan National Renal Healthcare Program (NRHP-UY) CKD patients’ cohort, included between 1 October 2004 and 1 March 2020 and followed-up until 1 March 2021, was analyzed with the Ethics Committee approval. A total of 6473 patients were analyzed: 56% men, median age 73 (65–79) years, 55% on CKD G3b. At the end of the follow-up, 2459 (37.7%) patients had died (6.4/100 patient–year). There were iPTH data on 2013 patients (younger, with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and lesser comorbidities). By bivariate Cox analysis the lowest death risk was observed with mean Ca between 9.01 and 10.25 mg/dl, P between 2.76 and 4.0 mg/dl, iPTH ≤ 105 pg/ml, and 25(OH) vitamin D >10 ng/ml. The multivariate Cox regression mortality risk adjusted to age, sex, CKD etiology, diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular comorbidity, blood pressure, proteinuria, eGFR, renin-angiotensin system blockers and vitamin D treatments, serum Ca, P, iPTH, and 25(OH) vitamin D (n = 964) showed that a higher mortality risk was associated with p > 4.00 mg/dl (HR 1.668, CI 95%: 1.201–2.317), iPTH >105 pg/ml (HR 1.386, CI 95%: 1.012–1.989), and 25(OH) vitamin D ≤ 10 ng/ml (HR 1.958, CI 95%: 1.238–3.098) and a lower mortality risk with 1,25(OH)₂ vitamin D treatment (HR 0.639, CI 95%: 0.451–0.906). These data may contribute to the precise G3b-4 CKD-MBD biomarkers levels definition.

Case report: Reoperative parathyroidectomy for large ectopic hyperplastic parathyroid in the mediastinum of a patient with recurrent secondary hyperparathyroidism

Introduction

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common complication in hemodialysis patients with chronic renal failure uremia. For severe SHPT, parathyroidectomy is effective. Owing to the variability in parathyroid anatomy, surgical parathyroidectomy can be complex and many patients experience recurrent SHPT, which may require repeated surgery. These cases pose significant challenges to surgeons.

Case description

An elderly woman with recurrent severe SHPT was admitted to our hospital. Preoperative methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) examination found a large ectopic parathyroid gland in the superior mediastinum, and she underwent reoperative parathyroidectomy. A large parathyroid gland in the right anterior mediastinum and another parathyroid gland in the left lingual lobe of the thymus were removed. The patient had postoperative hypocalcemia that was successfully corrected with calcium supplementation via femoral vein catheterization. During the 1-year postoperative follow-up, the patient's iPTH was well controlled and her blood calcium was within the normal range.

Conclusion

We report a case of parathyroidectomy to remove multifocal ectopic hyperplastic parathyroid tissue in the mediastinum. Preoperative MIBI accurately detected the lesions. Calcium supplementation via femoral vein catheterization successfully corrected postoperative hypocalcemia. Postoperative follow-up for 1 year indicated that the surgery was successful.

Effects of parathyroidectomy on plasma PTH fragments and heart rate variability in stage 5 chronic kidney disease patients

INTRODUCTION

Circulating intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels include full-length (1-84) PTH and long C-PTH fragments, but primarily (7-84) PTH, which have been reported to have antagonistic effects on the bones and kidneys. However, their effects on the cardiovascular system remain unclear. In this study, the relationships between the plasma PTH fragments levels and heart rate variability (HRV) in stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD5) patients are explored. Furthermore, the effects of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on the above indices are investigated.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 164 healthy controls and 354 CKD5 patients, including 208 secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) subgroup with PTX, were enrolled. Circulating (7-84) PTH levels were calculated by subtracting plasma (1-84) PTH levels from iPTH levels. The HRV parameters were measured using a 24-hour Holter.

RESULTS

The baseline levels of plasma iPTH, (1-84) PTH, and (7-84) PTH in the CKD5 patients were 930.40 (160.65, 1792.50) pg/mL, 448.60 (99.62, 850.45) pg/mL, and 468.20 (54.22, 922.55) pg/mL, respectively. In the CKD5 patients, plasma (1-84) PTH levels were independently correlated with the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal R-R intervals (SDNN) and the standard deviation of the five-minute average of the normal R-R intervals (SDANN). With a median follow up time of 6.50 months after PTX in the SHPT patients (n = 30), improved SDNN and SDANN markers were related with decreased (1-84) PTH levels. Furthermore, an improved SDNN was related with decreased (7-84) PTH levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The CKD5 patients' baseline (1-84) PTH levels were correlated with the SDNN and SDANN. After PTX, an improved SDNN was related with decreased (1-84) PTH and (7-84) PTH levels, while improved SDANN was related with decreased (1-84) PTH levels. No antagonistic effects of (1-84) PTH and (7-84) PTH on HRV were found in the CKD5 patients.

Long-term outcomes of microwave ablation for secondary hyperparathyroidism in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Microwave ablation has been increasingly used to secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with maintenance hemodialysis. However, the current data are inconclusive. This study was to assess the long-term outcomes of microwave ablation on SHPT. We enrolled 53 SHPT patients who underwent microwave ablation. Primary outcome measures were the rate of achieving recommended goal for iPTH and the events of all-cause death during the follow-up period. Survival analysis was performed to assess the long-term prognosis. During follow-up period of 42.4 ± 15.6 months (range, 12-70 months), there were 12 all-cause deaths, and the cumulative proportion surviving was 0.74. The rates of achieving the recommended goal for iPTH were 62.3% at 1 month, 57.7% at 6 months, 51.0% at 12 months, 62.5% at 24 months, and 68.8% at 36 months, respectively. Microwave ablation produces a lasting resolution of secondary hyperparathyroidism in about 60% of patients with maintenance hemodialysis. The characteristics of patients suitable for microwave ablation should be clarified in the future.

Disorders in bone-mineral parameters and the risk of death in persons with chronic kidney disease stages 4 and 5: the PECERA study

BACKGROUND

Abnormalities of bone mineral parameters are associated with increased mortality in patients on dialysis, but their effects and the optimal range of these biomarkers are less well characterized in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

PECERA (Collaborative Study Project in Patients with Advanced CKD) is a 3-year, prospective multicenter, open-cohort study of 966 adult patients with non-dialyzed CKD stages 4-5 enrolled from 12 centers in Spain. Associations between levels of serum calcium (Ca) (corrected for albumin), phosphate (P), and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) with all-cause mortality (primary outcome) and cardiovascular mortality (secondary outcome) were examined using time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models and penalized splines analysis adjusted by demographics and comorbidities, treatments and biochemical values collected every 6 months for 3 years.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 29 months (IQR: 13-36 months) there were 181 deaths (19%). The association of calcium with all-cause mortality was J-shaped, with an increased risk for all-cause mortality at levels > 10.5 mg/dL. For phosphate and iPTH levels, the association was U-shaped. The serum values associated with the minimum risk of mortality were 3.8 mg/dL for phosphate and 70 pg/mL for iPTH, being the lowest risk ranges between 2.8 and 5.0 mg/dL, and between 38 and 112 pg/mL for phosphate and iPTH, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides evidence on the non-linear association of serum calcium, phosphate and iPTH levels with mortality in stage 4 and 5 CKD patients, and suggests potential survival benefits for controlling bone mineral parameters in this population, as previously reported for dialysis patients.

Efficacy and safety of microwave ablation treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism: systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: The present systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT).Materials and methods: The study authors systematically searched the Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase and Ovid databases for studies published in English prior to 7October 2019. All studies included in the meta-analysis measured levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and phosphorus, and included data related to complications following MWA treatment for SHPT.Results: The meta-analysis ultimately included 233 patients from two retrospective cohort studies and six retrospective self-control studies. Compared to PTH level measurements obtained after MWA, measurements obtained at one day (weighted mean differences (WMD): 890.314, 95% confidence interval (CI): 767.121-1013.506, p < 0.01) , one week (WMD: 860.298, 95% CI: 759.401-961.194, p < 0.01), one month (WMD: 800.846, 95% CI: 687.709-913.983, p < 0.01) and six months (WMD: 860.847, 95% CI: 745.214-976.480, p < 0.01) after MWA were significantly lower. Calcium and phosphorus levels at one day and one week after MWA were also significantly lower than those measured before MWA. After MWA, the incidence of nerve injury was 1.2% (3/233; effect size (ES): 0.022, 95% CI: -0.003-0.048, p < 0.01). After MWA, the incidence of hypocalcemia was 15.8% (37/233; ES: 0.449, 95% CI: 0.341-0.556, p < 0.01).Conclusion: The preliminary results of this meta-analysis indicate that MWA may be effective and safe in treating patients with SHPT, and that future prospective research and randomized controlled trials (RCT) are necessary.

Effects of total parathyroidectomy treatment on parathyroid hormone levels, recurrent laryngeal nerve function, and the rate of infection complications of secondary hyperparathyroidism patients under image information health monitoring by magnetic resonance imaging

In order to explore the application of computer information health monitoring technology in the evaluation of the treatment effect after total parathyroidectomy (T-PTX) for patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) computer health monitoring technology was used to locate and diagnose the parathyroid glands. Autotransplantation were performed. The changes of total intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) before and after surgery, serum Calcium (Ca), serum phosphorus (P), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were observed and recorded. The postoperative complications were observed. The postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was analyzed. The results showed that serum Ca, serum P, and iPTH of the patients were significantly decreased within 6 months after parathyroid gland resection compared with that before surgery (P < 0.05); however, there was no significant change in ALP level within one week after surgery (P > 0.05); after surgical treatment, the clinical symptoms of patients with bone pain, itchy skin, and restless leg syndrome were significantly decreased, and 2 cases of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and 1 case of new arrhythmia, with a complication rate of 7.14 %, which showed that MRI based on computer information technology had a good value in preoperative localization and diagnosis of the parathyroid gland in SHPT patients and lower the rate of postoperative infection and complications and the impairment of recurrent laryngeal nerve function.