Hypercalcemi in elderly patient

ABSTRACT

Hypercalcemia is not rare among elderly patients. Hyperparathyroidism and neoplasia are the most frequent causes of hypercalcemia in old patients. Symptoms due to hypercalcemia are usually non specific in old subjects, leading to consider easily this diagnosis and to measure plasma calcium level. Biological diagnosis of hypercalcemia is not always obvious in old patients because of frequently decreased plasma albumin levels leading to lower plasma total calcium level. Thus, it is always necessary to calculate plasma total calcium level corrected by albumin. The symptomatic treatment of hypercalcemia rests on the intravenous administration of isotonic saline and the use of the bisphosphonates which currently represent the therapeutic of choice. Specific treatment depends on the etiology. The short-term risk of hypercalcemia is acute hypercalcemia, which may be lifethreatening. The long-term risk of hypercalcemia is renal failure