Parathyroidectomy decreases serum intact parathyroid hormone and calcium levels and prolongs overall survival in elderly hemodialysis patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism

Background The objective of this study was to assess the effect of parathyroidectomy (PTX) treatment on prolonging overall survival (OS) as well as decreasing levels of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) in elderly hemodialysis patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). Methods A total of 304 elderly hemodialysis patients with severe SHPT were consecutively enrolled in this cohort study. According to whether PTX operations were applied, patients were classified into PTX group (N = 112) and Control group (N = 192) and were followed up for 3 years. Mortality rate and OS were evaluated, and iPTH, Ca, and P levels were recorded. Results Compared to control group, increased iPTH (P < 0.001), higher Ca (P = 0.003), elevated AST (P = 0.022), and lower Hb (P = 0.049) concentrations were observed in the PTX group at baseline. The 1-year mortality (P < 0.001), 2-year mortality (P < 0.001), and 3-year mortality (P < 0.001) was reduced in PTX group compared to Control group, and PTX was correlated with prolonged OS (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox's regression analysis further revealed that PTX treatment (P < 0.001, HR = 0.177) was an independent factor for better OS. Moreover, patients in PTX group had decreased iPTH (P < 0.05) and Ca (P < 0.05) levels compared to Control group at M1-M36, while no difference was found in serum P level between the two groups at M1-M36. Conclusion Parathyroidectomy decreases iPTH and Ca levels, and it associates with favorable survival in elderly hemodialysis patients with severe SHPT.