The Impact of Obesity on the Presentation of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Context: Obesity has been associated with elevated serum PTH (sPTH) in the general population. Obesity may also alter the clinical presentation in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Objectives: The objectives of the study were to compare the clinical presentation of obese (OB) vs nonobese (NO) PHPT patients and to assess the impact of obesity on the presentation of PHPT independent of serum calcium and PTH. Patients: Consecutive PHPT patients who underwent parathyroidectomy between 2003 and 2012 by a single surgical group participated in the study. Setting: The study was conducted at an academic medical center. Design: Cross-sectional review of records of preoperative demographic, historical, laboratory, and densitometry findings and intraoperative pathological findings were compared in OB vs NO patients. Main Outcome Measures: The prevalence of nephrolithiasis and osteoporosis was measured. Results: Two hundred forty-seven PHPT patients were included in this analysis. Fifty percent were OB...