THE EFFECT OF HYPERPARATHYROIDISM ON THE COURSE OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis and primary hyperparathyroidism have beendiagnosed in three patients. This is likely to represent thecoincidence of two common diseases but the clinical featuresare discussed with particular reference to the presence andwithdrawal of raised levels of circulating parathyroid hormone(PTH). It is argued that raised levels of PTH potentiate theeffects of the rheumatoid disease on bone and joints. Othermusculoskeletal features of hyperparathyroidism and the actionsof PTH on bone are reviewed. KEY WORDS: Hyperparathyroidism, Rheumatoid arthritis