Synthetic human parathyroid hormone 1-34 vs calcitriol and calcium in the treatment of hypoparathyroidism

Abstract

Objective: To test the hypothesis that treatment with human parathyroid hormone 1-34 (PTH 1-34) can maintain normal serum calcium without hypercalciuria in patients with hypoparathyroidism.

Design: Randomized crossover trial lasting 20 weeks. Each 10-week arm consisted of a 2-week inpatient dose-adjustment phase followed by an 8-week outpatient phase.

Setting: Tertiary care center.

Patients: A total of 10 patients with hypoparathyroidism were enrolled consecutively over a 15-month period. Half of the patients were prior National Institutes of Health patients, and the other 5 patients were referred from outside physicians.

Interventions: A dose of PTH 1-34 was administered each morning by subcutaneous injection. Calcitriol was given orally twice daily with supplemental calcium carbonate.

Main outcome measures: Serum and urine calcium and phosphorus levels.

Results: Once-daily treatment with PTH 1-34 maintained serum calcium in the normal range with decreased urine calcium excretion (P<.05 at 2 weeks and P<.Ol at 10 weeks) compared with calcitriol treatment. Biochemical markers of bone turnover increased significantly (P<.Ol at 10 weeks) during PTH 1-34 treatment.

Conclusions: Treatment of hypoparathyroidism with PTH 1-34 reduces urine calcium excretion compared with treatment with calcitriol and calcium.