Assessment of insulin resistance in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism before and after Parathyroidectomy

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) can lead to renal and skeletal disorders, as well as insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism. The current study aimed to assess the effects of parathyroidectomy on insulin resistance in patients with PHPT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted on 65 patients with PHPT and indications for parathyroidectomy who were referred to the endocrinology clinics of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Thereafter, the demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded. Blood tests, including haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin levels, were assessed one week before and three months after the surgery. The insulin resistance score (HOMA‐IR) was calculated and compared using the relevant formula. RESULTS: A total of 65 participants with a mean age of 45.44 ± 9.59 years were included in the current study. In one‐month postoperative tests, mean scores of FBG (p < .05), insulin level (p < .05) and HbA1c (p < .05) were significantly reduced. Moreover, the HOMA‐IR index decreased in 51 patients after the surgery. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, parathyroidectomy can be effective in the reduction of insulin resistance and corresponding complications in patients with PHPT in the present short‐term study. However, it has yet to be confirmed as a treatment method for insulin resistance in these patients. Future long‐term studies are required to be done to investigate the effect of parathyroidectomy on insulin resistance.