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Patients with hypoparathyroidism show low compliance with international follow-up guidelines.
A study issued in the "International Journal of Endocrinology" has highlighted a significant gap in adherence to international guidelines during the follow-up care of patients with hypoparathyroidism, raising concerns about overlooked complications linked to the condition.
The study, conducted at an endocrinology and metabolism outpatient clinic, monitored 264 adult patients diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism. The average age of participants was 49.3 years, ranging from 22 to 91, with women representing nearly 80% of the cohort. While routine blood biochemistry tests were executed on all patients, screening for potential complications remained strikingly limited. Only 3% underwent ophthalmological examinations, 9.8% had brain imaging, 18.6% received renal imaging, and just 11% had 24-hour urinary calcium testing.
Among the findings:
Researchers concluded that overall compliance with guideline-recommended monitoring practices was low. They attributed this partly to the heavy workload and time constraints faced in outpatient clinic settings, which restrict the ability to carry out comprehensive evaluations beyond routine blood tests. Regular complication screening—including ophthalmological, neurological, and renal assessments—is as critical as biochemical monitoring in the long-term management of hypoparathyroidism.
They stressed that dedicating adequate consultation time could remarkably improve patient outcomes and treatment adherence. These findings underscore the urgent requisition for more structured follow-up protocols and better allocation of clinical resources to ensure hypoparathyroidism patients receive care aligned with international standards.
International Journal of Endocrinology
Evaluation of Compliance With International Guidelines During the Follow-Up of Hypoparathyroidism
Beril Turan Erdogan et al.
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