PTX was associated with improved survival in patients on maintenance dialysis but not in patients with renal allograft.

BackgroundCalcidiol insufficiency may accelerate the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). We tested the effect of a substantial increase in calcidiol on mineral metabolism in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).MethodsNinety-five patients with CKD Stages 3–4, parathyroid hormone (PTH) above 6.8 pmol/L and calcidiol below 75 nmol/L were randomized to receive either cholecalciferol 8000 IU/day or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was difference in the mean change in iPTH after 12 weeks. The proportion of participants having a 30% reduction in PTH and the effect on hand grip strength, fatigue and different biochemical variables were also investigated.ResultsBaseline calcidiol was 57.5 ± 22 and 56.8 ± 22 nmol/L in the cholecalciferol and placebo groups, respectively. The corresponding concentrations of PTH were 10.9 ± 5 and 13.1 ± 9 pmol/L. Calcidiol increased to 162 ± 49 nmol/L in patients receiving cholecalciferol, and PTH levels remained constant at 10.5 ± 5 pmol/L. In the placebo group, calcidiol remained stable and PTH increased to 15.2 ± 11 pmol/L. The mean change in PTH differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.01). The proportion of subjects reaching a 30% decrease in PTH did not differ. No effect on grip strength, fatigue, phosphate or fibroblast growth factor 23 was observed. Cholecalciferol treatment resulted in stable calcium concentrations and a substantial increase in calcitriol.ConclusionTreatment with high daily doses of cholecalciferol in patients with CKD Stages 3–4 halts the progression of SHPT and does not cause hypercalcaemia or other side effects.

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Renal hyperparathyroidism (rHPT) is a complex and challenging disorder. It develops early in the course of renal failure and is associated with increased risks of fractures, cardiovascular disease and death. It is treated medically, but when medical therapy cannot control the hyperparathyroidism, surgical parathyroidectomy is an option. In this review, we summarize the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and medical treatment; we describe the effects of renal transplantation; and discuss the indications and strategies in parathyroidectomy for rHPT. Renal hyperparathyroidism develops early in renal failure, mainly as a consequence of lower levels of vitamin D, hypocalcemia, diminished excretion of phosphate and inability to activate vitamin D. Treatment consists of supplying vitamin D and reducing phosphate intake. In later stages calcimimetics might be added. RHPT refractory to medical treatment can be managed surgically with parathyroidectomy. Risks of surgery are small but not negligible. Parathyroidectomy should likely not be too radical, especially if the patient is a candidate for future renal transplantation. Subtotal or total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation are recognized surgical options. Renal transplantation improves rHPT but does not cure it.

Background Secondary hyperparathyroidism increases the risk for fractures. Despite improvement in medical therapy, surgical parathyroidectomy (PTX) often becomes necessary, but its effect on risk of fractures is not clear. Our aim was to study the effect of parathyroidectomy on the risk of hip fractures in patients on dialysis or with a functioning renal graft at time of parathyroidectomy. DesignIn a cohort of 20,056 patients on dialysis or with functioning renal allograft, we identified 590 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy between 1991 and 2009. Of these, 579 were matched with 1970 non-PTX patients on age, sex, cause of renal disease and functioning renal allograft or not at the time of PTX or at the corresponding time for non-PTX patients (t). We calculated the risk for hip fracture after PTX using crude and adjusted Cox proportional hazards regressions, adjusting for time in renal replacement therapy before t, time with functioning renal allograft before and after t, comorbidity at t and a hip fracture before t.ResultsThe adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for hip fracture was 0.40 (0.18–0.88) for PTX patients, compared to non-PTX patients. When analyses were performed separately for sex, only women had a lower risk of hip fracture after PTX compared to non-PTX patients. The risk of hip fracture after PTX was similar in patients with or without functioning renal allograft at time for PTX.ConclusionParathyroidectomy is associated with a lower risk of hip fracture in female patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.