Bone mineralization and bone mineral content in primary hyperparathyroidism.

The degree of bone mineralization and the bone mineral content (BMC) was evaluated in 6 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. The degree of bone mineralization was estimated as the phosphorus/hydroxyproline ratio (P/Hypro) in bone biopsies; BMC was estimated by photon absorptiometry on both forearms. The mena values of both parameters were significantly lower than normal (P less than 0.001 for P/Hypro; P less than 0.02 for BMC). As no significant correlation was found between P/Hypro and BMC in hyperparathyroidism, the findings of low values of P/Hypro and of BMC in patients with elevated serum calcium point to primary hyperparathyroidism.