Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is common in patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism treated conventionally with active vitamin D and calcium supplements.

Aim: To determine the HRQoL of patients with hypoparathyroidism with disease persisting for more than 1 year.

Methods: We identified 32 patients (women/men − 31/1, median (Me) age 48 years [38; 59.5]). The average duration of the disease was 4 years [2; 8]. All participants completed the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI-20). Descriptive statistics were expressed as Me and values of the 1st and 3rd quartiles [Q1; Q3]. The statistical significance level was set at P< 0.03 after the Bonferroni correction.

Results: All patients were treated conventionally, but most of them did not reach the target calcium level. Hypoparathyroidism patients had significantly lower SF-36 scores, especially – role limitations due to physical problems (25.0 [0; 100]), vitality (40 [30; 65]), physical (39.5 [34.5; 43.5]) and mental health (MH) (37.5 [30; 49]). The participants demonstrated increased MFI-20 subscales (more than 12), especially in general (16 [13; 18]) and physical fatigue (14 [11; 16]) and activity (14 [9; 16]). We didn’t find any correlation between SF-36 and MFI-20, neither with the duration of the disease, nor with therapy received or calcium and magnesium parameters. However, there was a weak negative correlation between role limitations due to emotional problems and MH and serum magnesium (Spearmen’s ρ, –0.5; P=0.001 and −0.4; P=0.008 respectively).

Conclusion: Patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism are experiencing diminished HRQOL.