The impact of hypophosphatemia on biochemical profile and renal outcomes in primary hyperparathyroidism: a nationwide retrospective study

TL;DR

This study shows that low phosphorus levels in primary hyperparathyroidism are linked to more severe symptoms and kidney stones, suggesting routine phosphorus monitoring may be important.

Contribution

The study identifies hypophosphatemia as an indicator of more severe disease and increased kidney stone risk in PHPT patients.

Findings

Hypophosphatemia was present in 14.3% of PHPT patients and was associated with higher parathyroid hormone and calcium levels.

Low phosphorus levels independently increased the risk of kidney stone formation (OR = 1.53).

Abstract

Although low phosphorus (P) concentrations are a recognized feature of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), they are not among the diagnostic or surgical criteria. The present study evaluates the association between serum phosphorus levels and clinical outcomes in PHPT patients.

A search of the Turkish Ministry of Health’s National Electronic Database was conducted using ICD-10 diagnostic codes and laboratory data to identify PHPT cases within the Turkish population from 2017 to 2022.

The records of a total of 113,330 PHPT patients (77.5% female; mean age 58.9 ± 15.6 years) were analyzed, revealing a mean serum phosphorus level of 3.24 ± 0.79 mg/dL. Patients with nephrolithiasis, vitamin D <20 μg/L, and calcium ≥11.4 mg/dL had significantly lower phosphorus levels (p<0.0001). Hypophosphatemia (HypoP) (P < 2.5 mg/dL) was present in 14.3% of patients and was associated with higher parathyroid hormone, calcium, and alkaline phosphatase levels, and lower vitamin D levels (all p < 0.0001). HypoP independently increased the risk of kidney stone formation (OR = 1.53; 95% CI 1.46–1.61).

HypoPis associated with more severe biochemical abnormalities and a greater prevalence of nephrolithiasis in PHPT. In regions where vitamin D deficiency is common, low phosphorus levels may indicate more severe diseases, and so routine phosphorus monitoring should be considered as part of PHPT management.

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