Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Hypoparathyroidism (HP) is caused by a group of heterogenous conditions that result in deficient secretion of parathyroid hormone. Due to this heterogenous nature, information on HP prevalence is highly variable and studies can be difficult to compare. This study aims to estimate the true prevalence of HP within the EU via comparison of available literature and analyses of sub-populations.

Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE were systematically searched for peer-reviewed English-language studies involving population-based European HP prevalence estimates. Studies were assessed for rigor of methodology, suitability of study population, and were also reviewed for possible biases. In total, five prospective studies qualified via these criteria and were comprehensively evaluated for estimates of HP prevalence. Some studies presented prevalence results based on less stringent criteria than others, thus wherever possible criteria were standardized across studies, and where necessary, prevalence results were reevaluated. In addition, any estimates of temporal and geographical trends across the EU were collected.

Results: The most common division within adult HP is between non-surgical and post-surgical cases. All resulting data from the qualifying studies were entered into separate meta-analyses for both non-surgical and post-surgical HP. Based on these analyses the best prevalence estimate for non-surgical HP in the EU was 1.2/10,000 (95% CI : 0.6–1.6 per 10,000) and the best prevalence estimate for post-surgical HP in the EU was 2.0/10,000 (95% CI : 1.6–2.3 per 10,000). To evaluate temporal trends, use was made of detailed information available in the literature regarding change in rates over time. Post-surgical HP has been increasing at a faster rate (growth of approximately 0.03 cases per 10,000 annually) than non-surgical HP (growth of approximately 0.01 cases per 10,000 annually).

Conclusions: The overall prevalence of HP in the EU was estimated at 3.2 per 10,000 population in 2020 with a growth rate of approximately 0.04 cases annually. Although study criteria and geographies of the included studies were disparate, once separated into non-surgical and post-surgical, results were more consistent. These results help inform the epidemiology of both non-surgical and post-surgical HP within the EU.