Bone mineral density in primary care patients related to serum calcium concentrations: a longitudinal cohort study from Sweden
Abstract
Abstract Objective: Elevated calcium concentration is a commonly used measure in screening analyses for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) and cancer. Low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis are common features of pHPT and strengthen the indication for parathyroidectomy. It is not known whether an elevated calcium concentration could be a marker of low BMD in suspected pHPT patients with a normal parathyroid hormone concentration. Purpose: To study if low BMD and osteoporosis are more common after ten years in patients with elevated compared with normal calcium concentrations at baseline. Design: Prospective case control study. Setting: Primary care, southern Sweden. Subjects: One hundred twenty-seven patients (28 men) with baseline elevated, and 254 patients (56 men) with baseline normal calcium concentrations, mean age 61 years, were recruited. After ten years, 77% of those still alive (74 with elevated and 154 with normal calcium concentrations at baseline) participated in a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry measurement for BMD assessment and analysis of calcium and parathyroid hormone concentrations. Main outcome measures: Association between elevated and normal calcium concentration at base-line and BMD at follow-up. Correlation between calcium and parathyroid hormone concentrations and BMD at follow-up. Results: A larger proportion of the patients with elevated baseline calcium concentrations who participated in the follow-up had osteoporosis (p value = 0.036),…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 254 participants or records.
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