1. What is the experience of our patients with transient hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy?
- Author
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Doubleday AR, Robbins SE, Macdonald CL, Elfenbein DM, Connor NP, and Sippel RS
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Calcium blood, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Hypocalcemia diagnosis, Hypocalcemia epidemiology, Hypocalcemia etiology, Hypoparathyroidism diagnosis, Hypoparathyroidism epidemiology, Hypoparathyroidism etiology, Male, Middle Aged, Parathyroid Glands injuries, Parathyroid Glands metabolism, Parathyroid Hormone blood, Parathyroid Hormone metabolism, Postoperative Complications diagnosis, Postoperative Complications epidemiology, Postoperative Complications etiology, Preoperative Period, Prospective Studies, Qualitative Research, Risk Factors, Thyroid Neoplasms blood, Young Adult, Hypocalcemia psychology, Hypoparathyroidism psychology, Postoperative Complications psychology, Quality of Life, Thyroid Neoplasms surgery, Thyroidectomy adverse effects
- Abstract
Background: We sought to better understand the experience of patients with transient hypoparathyroidism using patient interviews and quality of life surveys., Methods: This is a prospective analysis of 62 patients after total thyroidectomy at a high-volume institution. Semistructured patient interviews and quality of life surveys were conducted preoperatively and postoperatively at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year and compared based on postoperative parathyroid hormone levels., Results: Postoperative parathyroid hormone levels were <10 pg/mL in 32% of patients (n = 20), 10 to 20 pg/mL in 19% (n = 12), and >20 pg/mL in 48% (n = 30). Hypocalcemic symptoms at 2 weeks were reported in 28 of 55 patients (51%), but patients felt "well prepared" and reported it "wasn't a big deal." If symptoms persisted at 6 weeks, they became more bothersome. At 6 months and 1 year, patients reported calcium supplementation prevented most symptoms and did not interfere with daily activities. Quality of life as measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the 12-Item Short Form Survey demonstrated a slight improvement at 1 year postoperatively regardless of parathyroid hormone level., Conclusion: Early postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism is common but when appropriately managed did not have a substantial negative impact on the overall quality of life., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2021
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