Higher Calcium Intake Is Associated with Lower Risk for Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Calcium intake affects serum parathyroid hormone levels and, hence, might be associated with risk for developing primary hyperparathyroidism. Using data from the prospective Nurses' Health Study, investigators determined the association between calcium intake and risk for primary hyperparathyroidism.

More than 58,000 women (age range, 39–66) without primary hyperparathyroidism at baseline participated in the study. Participants were categorized into five groups according to calcium intake, which was assessed every 4 years using a validated survey. During 22 years of follow-up, 277 new cases of primary hyperparathyroidism were confirmed. In an analysis adjusted for multiple variables, participants with the highest daily dietary calcium intake…