Purpose: To evaluate the means for diagnosis and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing regular hemodialysis.
Methods: This prospective investigation studied patients with chronic renal kidney disease requiring and receiving hemodialysis at the Tokoin University Hospital in Lomé, from January 21, 2008, through December 31, 2008.
Results: The study population comprised 42 patients: 24 men and 18 women ranging in age from 20-82 years (mean: 42.62 years). Hyperparathormonemia was found in 20 of 24 patients for whom parathormonemia was assayed. Two patients with hyperthyroidism received a phosphorus chelator, and another went to Egypt for renal transplantation. The various other treatments we applied were not efficacious. We noted three cases of pathological fractures and one case of sudden death.
Conclusion: The risk of parathyroidism in patients receiving hemodialysis is unavoidable. Its course is marked by a risk of sudden death due to the cardiovascular damage it causes. Numerous factors impede its effective management in Togo.