American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 58, 187-191, Copyright © 1993 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc

ORIGINAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Secondary hyperparathyroidism in elderly people: combined effect of renal insufficiency and vitamin D deficiency

R Freaney, Y McBrinn and MJ McKenna
Metabolic Unit, St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

The relative effects of renal insufficiency and vitamin D deficiency on parathyroid gland function were assessed in 29 free-living elderly subjects by using a sensitive assay for intact parathyroid hormone (PTH). Serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, 25- hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], and PTH were measured after an overnight fast during wintertime, after oral vitamin D therapy (20 micrograms cholecalciferol/d for 4 wk), and at the end of the subsequent summer. Hypovitaminosis D [serum 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/L] was evident in 86% of the subjects during wintertime and 52% had elevated PTH concentrations. Multiple-regression analysis identified serum creatinine as the strongest predictor variable for serum PTH (multiple r = 0.73, P < 0.001). Mean (+/- SD) serum PTH declined from 6.3 +/- 2.8 to 5.0 +/- 2.0 pmol/L (P < 0.001) by the end of the summer season, coincident with an increase in serum 25(OH)D). Secondary hyperparathyroidism is common in elderly people, and in Ireland is the result of both renal insufficiency and hypovitaminosis D.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Visser, D. J. Deeg, M. T. Puts, J. C Seidell, and P. Lips Low serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in older persons and the risk of nursing home admission. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2006; 84(3): 616 - 622. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. A Bischoff-Ferrari, E. Giovannucci, W. C Willett, T. Dietrich, and B. Dawson-Hughes Estimation of optimal serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D for multiple health outcomes Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2006; 84(1): 18 - 28. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A.-M. Natri, P. Salo, T. Vikstedt, A. Palssa, M. Huttunen, M. U.M. Karkkainen, H. Salovaara, V. Piironen, J. Jakobsen, and C. J. Lamberg-Allardt Bread Fortified with Cholecalciferol Increases the Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration in Women as Effectively as a Cholecalciferol Supplement J. Nutr., January 1, 2006; 136(1): 123 - 127. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Visser, D. J. H. Deeg, and P. Lips Low Vitamin D and High Parathyroid Hormone Levels as Determinants of Loss of Muscle Strength and Muscle Mass (Sarcopenia): The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2003; 88(12): 5766 - 5772. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Lips Vitamin D Deficiency and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in the Elderly: Consequences for Bone Loss and Fractures and Therapeutic Implications Endocr. Rev., August 1, 2001; 22(4): 477 - 501. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. S. Harris, E. Soteriades, and B. Dawson-Hughes Secondary Hyperparathyroidism and Bone Turnover in Elderly Blacks and Whites J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 2001; 86(8): 3801 - 3804. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Vieth Vitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and safety Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 1999; 69(5): 842 - 856. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]