Why Is Hyperparathyroidism Underdiagnosed and Undertreated in Older Adults?

Introduction: Hyperparathyroidism significantly decreases quality of life, yet elderly patients are underdiagnosed and undertreated even though parathyroidectomy offers definitive cure with minimal morbidity. The purpose of this study is to determine why older patients with hyperparathyroidism are not appropriately diagnosed and referred for parathyroidectomy. Methods: We reviewed charts for a random sample of 25 patients aged 75 and older who...