Endocrine Abstracts

A large population-based cohort of “diagnosed” primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) (n=2709) was established, 1997–2006, in Tayside, Scotland. We have previously reported on an increasing prevalence and increased risks of mortality and morbidity associated with these patients. In the course of the PEARS, a group of “possible” PHPT cases (n=2950) defined as having persistently elevated serum calcium over several months to years but with no PTH assays was also identified, in which epidemiology and outcomes were further investigated. Similar to the “diagnosed” cohort, the majority of “possible” patients were female (67.7%) with a mean age of 67.1 (SD=14.2) at the first raised calcium. The prevalence increased steadily from 1.86 per 1000 in 1997 to 6.47 in 2006 but the incidence appeared a cyclical pattern identical to the “diagnosed” cohort. By 2007, there were 1152 (39.0%) deaths and 875 (29.7%) cardiovascular events. Compared to the age- and sex- adjusted Tayside population, patients were found to have increased risk of mortality and morbidity outcomes (Table 1). These preliminary results of “possible” PHPT patients show a similar epidemiological pattern and outcomes to patients with a more definite diagnosis of PHPT. If these additional patients were PHPT patients without an affirmative diagnosis, the current prevalence estimate of PHPT would be doubled from 0.67% to 1.34%.

Declaration of interest: There is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported.

Funding: No specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.

Morbidity outcomes in patients with