Carotid, aorta and renal arteries intima-media thickness in patients with sporadic idiopathic hypoparathyroidism

BACKGROUND: Alteration in homeostasis of calcium, phosphate and parathyroid hormone (PTH) predispose to vascular calcification that increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The data on this aspect are scarce in patients with sporadic idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (SIH). OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess the effect of altered calcium, phosphate and PTH homeostasis in patients with SIH on intima media thickness (IMT), a surrogate marker of increased vascular risk. METHODS: In this case–control study, we measured carotid IMT (CIMT), aortic IMT (AIMT) and renal arteries IMT (RIMT) in 30 consecutive patients with SIH, and compared with healthy subjects. IMT was measured by ultrasound by a single operator blinded to subject's details. RESULTS: CIMT, AIMT, RIMT values in patients with SIH were significantly more than healthy subjects (0.60 ± 0.08 mm vs. 0.52 ± 0.09 mm, P = 0.001; 0.73 ± 0.09 mm vs. 0.65 ± 0.10, P = 0.004; and 0.34 ± 0.04 mm vs. 0.30 ± 0.05, P = 0.003, respectively). Clinical or biochemical parameters did not correlate with CIMT, AIMT and RIMT in patients with SIH. CONCLUSION: The vascular risk is increased in patients with SIH as assessed by CIMT, AIMT, and RIMT.