Asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism.

The criteria used in selecting patients with asymptomatic hyperparathyroidism (HPT) for surgery remain controversial. Do patients with asymptomatic HPT have less severe disease (smaller glands and less derangement of biochemistry) than those with symptoms? We studied a consecutive series of 111 patients with HPT surgically treated and compared the symptomatic patients (n = 83) and asymptomatic patients (n = 28). There were no significant differences between the two patient groups with respect to age, serum calcium, PTH (intact 1-84), and excised gland weights (adenomas). Hypercalcemia was cured in all patients. The natural history of mild or asymptomatic HPT is unknown, but we summarize the current knowledge relating to mortality, cardiovascular/renal disease, psychiatric and neuromuscular disorders, and bone disease. Symptoms of HPT do not correlate with the degree of biochemical and pathological derangement. Furthermore clinical assessment does not predict severity of disease and should not be the sole basis of selection for surgery. The results of surgery for primary HPT permit us to advocate a liberal approach to the selection of asymptomatic patients for operation.