Increased arterial stiffness in normotensive individuals with hypoparathyroidism

Hypoparathyroidism is the inability of parathyroid hormone (PTH) to maintain calcium homeostasis. Patients with post-surgical hypoparathyroidism may have an increased risk of mortality; there is clinical and molecular evidence of the effects of this condition on the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to evaluate arterial stiffness by measuring the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) in post-surgical hypoparathyroidism patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 30 post-surgical hypoparathyroidism patients and 25 volunteers from the Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic of the Medical School. The SphygmoCor system was used to evaluate arterial stiffness by analyzing the PWV. The mean ages of the hypoparathyroidism (50.4 years) and control individuals (49.6 years) were similar. The mean PWVs were 8.7 and 7.5 m/s in the Hypoparathyroidism and Control groups, respectively (p-value = 0.084). Considering only normotensive patients, PWV was statistically higher in the Hypoparathyroidism Group (7.6 versus 6.5 m/s; p-value = 0.039). For this group, serum ionized calcium, phosphorus, and the calcium x phosphorus product levels were positively associated to PWV. Hypoparathyroidism increases arterial stiffness as assessed by PWV. Serum ionized calcium, phosphorus, and the calcium x phosphorus product are affected. A more effective investigative and therapeutic approach for patients with hypoparathyroidism can help control cardiovascular risk.