A new UCLA study has found that a hormonal disorder, known as hyperparathyroidism, which causes unusually high calcium levels in the blood occurs most often in older African American women. They published their findings online on February 15 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
The researchers note that an unusually high calcium levels in the blood can almost always be traced to primary hyperparathyroidism: a condition that is undertreated, underreported, and primarily affects women and the elderly. It is the result of overactive parathyroid glands and includes symptoms of bone loss, depression and fatigue that may go undetected for years. The four parathyroid glands, which are located in the neck, next to the thyroid, regulate the body’s calcium levels. When one is dysfunctional, it can cause major imbalances such as the release of calcium from the bones and into the bloodstream. Over time, calcium loss from bones often leads to osteoporosis and fractures; furthermore, excessive calcium levels in the blood can cause kidney stones and worsening kidney function. The condition can be detected by measuring parathyroid hormone levels to determine if they are elevated or abnormal.
The UCLA researchers determined that hyperparathyroidism, which affects 1% of the US population, is the leading cause of high blood-calcium levels and is responsible for nearly 90% percent of all cases of hyperparathyroidism. In addition, they found a significant ethnic and age factor; it is most often seen in African American women over the age of 50. “The findings suggest that hyperparathyroidism is the predominant cause of high calcium levels, so if patients find they have high calcium, they should also have their parathyroid hormone level checked,” noted lead author, Dr. Michael W. Yeh, an associate professor of surgery and endocrinology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
For the study, researchers accessed a patient database from Kaiser Permanente Southern California that included information on 3.5 million individuals, a population approximately the size of residents of Ohio. Using data from lab results, the research team identified 15,234 cases of chronic high-calcium levels. Of those cases, 13,327 patients (87%) were found to have hyperparathyroidism. The incidence of hyperparathyroidism , which is reported as the number of cases per 100,000 people per year, was found to be highest among African Americans (92 women and 46 men), followed by Caucasians (81 women and 29 men), Asians (52 women, 28 men) and Hispanics (49 women and 17 men).
The research team also found that with advancing age, the incidence of hyperparathyroidism (per 100,000 people per year) increased and that more women were affected:
Under age 50: 12 to 24 cases for both genders
Ages 50–59: 80 women and 36 men
Ages 70–79: 196 women and 95 men
“It was surprising to find the highest incidence in black women over age 50,” noted Dr. Yeh. He added, “We had traditionally thought of the disorder as affecting mostly Caucasian women.” He explained that because black women tend to have stronger bones and fewer fractures, more study is needed to see how the disorder is manifested in this patient group. He noted that African American women’s physiology may be different and more protective of calcium and bone. He also noted that further study of the disorder may result in new, more targeted treatment guidelines based on racial differences. African American women, for instance, may require less Vitamin D than is commonly prescribed to protect bone health.
The investigators also found that the prevalence of hyperparathyroidism has tripled in the last 10 years, increasing from 76 women to 233 (out of 100,000) and from 30 men to 85. They explained that the growing prevalence is likely due to increased calcium testing, annual lab tests to monitor patients with symptoms, and the low rate of surgery to treat the disorder. Previous research has shown that only 28% of patients with hyperparathyroidism undergo surgery to remove the overactive parathyroid gland, which is the most reliable way to correct the disorder.
“Women can suffer for years with hyperparathyroidism and not know they have it, which is especially critical in midlife, when bone health is so important,” noted Dr. Yeh. He added, “Appropriate management of the disorder is essential. Surgery should be considered in the majority of people with primary hyperparathyroidism.”
The researchers plan further study of this patient population to examine the long-term impact of the condition on bone health and the effectiveness of different management strategies on outcomes. Dr. Yeh noted, “We are aiming to better understand how hyperparathyroidism affects people of different racial backgrounds.”
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