IMPACT OF ETHNIC BACKGROUND ON CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AMONG PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM

OBJECTIVE: To compare initial laboratory values and cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) among patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) of different ethnic backgrounds.

METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed 500 charts of PHPT patients who presented at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital from January 2000 to December 2013. Among these patients were 46 African Americans (AA), 31 Asians (A), 19 Hispanics (H), and 404 Caucasians (C). The following characteristics were compared between the groups: age; body mass index (BMI); levels of serum calcium, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), 25-OH vitamin D, and 24-hour urine calcium; and parathyroid adenoma weight. Presence of CRF including BMI, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were also recorded for comparison. Associations of adenoma weight and several other parameters were also assessed.

RESULTS: Among different ethnic groups, AA patients with PHPT had higher iPTH levels compared to the A and C groups (P<.05), while 25-OHD levels were lower in the AA compared to the A and C groups (P<.05). Adenoma weight was significantly greater in AA than in C and A PHPT patients (P<.01). Adenoma weight was positively correlated with iPTH levels (r = 0.493, P <.001) and serum calcium levels (r = 0.255, P<.01). The group BMIs were C: 29.5 ± 6.9, AA: 33.8 ± 10, A: 24.7 ± 3.3, and H: 30.2 ± 6.6. AA patients had a lower rate of renal stones (9%) compared to other groups (21-29%, P<.05).

CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that AA patients with PHPT presented with a more severe PHPT profile but had lower 24-hour urine calcium and fewer renal stones. AA patients with PHPT also had higher prevalence of CRF when compared to A and C.