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. 2021 Jan;169(1):70-76.
doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2020.04.029. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

What is the experience of our patients with transient hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy?

Amanda R Doubleday  1 , Sarah E Robbins  2 , Cameron L Macdonald  3 , Dawn M Elfenbein  2 , Nadine P Connor  4 , Rebecca S Sippel  2
Affiliations

What is the experience of our patients with transient hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy?

Amanda R Doubleday et al. Surgery. 2021 Jan.

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

COI/DISCLOSURES: No Authors have financial conflicts of interest

Figures

FIGURE 1:
FIGURE 1:
Global EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 3) QOL scores for each PTH category. There is a statistically significant increase in mean QOL scores for the entire cohort from baseline preoperatively to 1 year postoperatively (p=0.003). * There is no statistically significant difference in mean scores between different PTH groups at any postoperative time point, p=not shown (NS).
FIGURE 2:
FIGURE 2:
SF-12 Physical QOL scores for each PTH category. * There is no statistically significant difference in mean QOL scores for the entire cohort from baseline preoperatively to 1 year postoperatively or in mean scores between different PTH groups at any postoperative time point, p=not shown (NS).
FIGURE 3:
FIGURE 3:
SF-12 Mental QOL scores for each PTH category. There is a statistically significant increase in mean QOL scores for the entire cohort from baseline preoperatively to 1 year postoperatively (p=0.010). * There is no statistically significant difference in mean scores between different PTH groups at any postoperative time point, p=not shown (NS).
FIGURE 4:
FIGURE 4:
A graphical timeline of the information presented in TABLE 1: Interview analysis and exemplary quotes of patients’ experiences with hypoparathyroidism and the key themes identified characterizing patient-reported challenges and suggested solutions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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