Hyperparathyroidism: A Report and an Analysis of 13 Cases Occurring in the Middle Western States

Abstract

IT is generally believed that there is a specific geographical distribution for hyperparathyroidism and that the disease is extremely rare in the middle western part of the United States. Wilder and Ho well (1) suggested that vitamin D, the deficiency of which has been considered as an etiologic factor, was probably one of the causes for the disease being so extremely rare in this part of the country. The occurrence of 13 proven cases at the University Hospitals in Iowa City during the past 12 years casts some doubt regarding the rarity of this disease in the middlewestern states. It appears pertinent, therefore, to call attention to the occurrence of these cases, to analyze their manifestations, ascertain which of the manifestations led to the disease being suspected, and to discuss some of the diagnostic difficulties. Analysis of Cases The ages of the 13 patients varied from 20 to 60 years.