Indications for surgery in the elderly patient with primary hyperparathyroidism.

The major symptoms presented by the elderly patient with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) were studied in 30 patients, all of whom were over 70 years of age (70-89). Neuromuscular symptoms, fatigue or mental symptoms were the main complaint in 14 patients. Nephrolithiasis, pancreatitis, skeletal changes or thyroid diseases were associated with HPT in 13 patients. Three patients were considered to be asymptomatic. Seven out of the eight patients with neuromuscular symptoms, and two of the three patients with extreme fatigue as the dominant symptom, improved postoperatively. This study indicates that for elderly patients with HPT especially when associated with neuromuscular symptoms or fatigue, surgical therapy is the treatment of choice.