[Prevalence of secondary hyper parathyroidism in hemodialysis patients]

ABSTRACT

Osteodystrophy is one of the long term complications of chronic renal failure and is expressed in two forms; low turn over and high turn over. It is an important cause of morbidity in patients with renal failure and if diagnosed and managed properly, many problems of these patients can be resolved. In this study we evaluated the prevalence of hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients and its correlation with different factors. This study was an analytic, observational study that was done by the cross- sectional method. We formatted a questionnaire for hemodialysis patients who were enrolled in the study over a period of 6 months. Fasting blood samples [5-l0c.c] were drawn to measure levels of PTH [parathyroid hormone], calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase. Skull and wrist X-rays were also taken and the radiologist evaluated them with regards to hyperparathyroidism. In the 80 patients studied, prevalence of hyperparathyroidism was 45% [36 patients]. 44 patients were diabetics. Among different factors, hyperparathyroidism did not correlate with frequency and duration of dialysis, age, sex, familial history, diabetes, hypertension, bone pains, muscle weakness, purities and level of calcium and phosphorous. But there was a significant relationship between hyperparathyroidism and alkaline phosphatase levels and radiological findings. We can use alkaline phosphatase levels and/or radiographic changes for evaluation of renal osteodystrophy in hemodialysis patients and prevent complications by early diagnosis and proper management