Intoxicação por vitamina D em paciente idosa: relato de caso / Vitamin D intoxication in an older adult: case report

As aging progresses, there is a consequent increase in chronic diseases, such as osteoporosis and osteopenia, and vitamin D (cholecalciferol) supplementation is routinely prescribed. However, indiscriminate use of this supplement can lead to intoxication and systemic changes. Seeking to raise awareness among prescribing physicians and especially older patients, the purpose of this case report was to describe the systemic symptoms and damage that can occur from intoxication due to uncontrolled use of vitamin D, such as hypercalcemia and kidney injury. This report describes the case of an older woman who reported using a cholecalciferol- containing formula for ten years to treat osteoarthritis. She arrived at the hospital with weight loss, acute kidney injury and hypercalcemia. After ruling out neoplastic diseases, she was diagnosed with vitamin D poisoning. The symptoms and laboratory results improved after treatment. Based on this report, we conclude that geriatricians play a key role in demystifying the use of vitamins and should only prescribe them when medically indicated.

Com a progressão do envelhecimento e, consequentemente, o aumento de doenças crônicas, como osteoporose e osteopenia, a suplementação da vitamina D (colecalciferol) tem sido rotineiramente prescrita, no entanto o uso indiscriminado e o não controle dessa reposição podem levar à intoxicação e, consequentemente, a alterações sistêmicas. Buscando conscientizar médicos prescritores, e principalmente pacientes idosos, o objetivo do relato do caso foi de alertar sobre o uso desregrado e divulgar os diversos sintomas sistêmicos, além dos danos dessa intoxicação, como hipercalcemia e lesão renal. Este relato trata do caso de uma idosa que afirmava usar fórmula contendo colecalciferol há dez anos para tratar osteoartrite. Chegou ao hospital com emagrecimento, lesão renal aguda e hipercalcemia. Após descartar doenças neoplásicas, foi diagnosticada com intoxicação de vitamina D. Feito tratamento, houve remissão sintomatológica e laboratorial. Com base nesse relato, concluímos que o geriatra tem um papel fundamental de desmistificar o uso de vitaminas e prescrever estritamente quando há indicação médica.

PTHrP-associated hypercalcemia of pregnancy resolved after delivery: a case report.

A 35-year-old oriental woman, who was 32 weeks pregnant, was hospitalized with suspected preeclampsia. Subsequently, she developed stupor and lethargia. Biochemical assessment showed severe hypercalcemia (21 mg/dl) with undetectable parathyroid hormone (PTH) and markedly elevated PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) levels (26 pmol/l, normal values <1.1 pmol/l). The patient was treated with i.v. fluid administration, which resulted in an unsatisfactory reduction in serum calcium. Therefore, a cesarean section was performed to deliver the baby. Serum calcium levels promptly normalized after delivery with undetectable PTHrP levels. She delivered a healthy infant only presenting with transient mild jaundice and slightly prolonged QT interval with serum calcium level of 7.8-8.4 mg/dl (corrected for albumin levels). In the subsequent days, the patient developed a transient 'hungry bone' syndrome (calcium 6.7 mg/dl, phosphorous 2.1 mg/dl, and PTH 100.4 pg/ml). In conclusion, this pregnant patient presented with PTHrP-associated hypercalcemia, presumably of placental origin. Delivery resulted in prompt reduction of serum calcium levels and a transient 'hungry bone' syndrome.

Bony pathology in the cancer patient.

Bony pathology in the cancer patient represents a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Complications include insufficiency and pathological fractures resulting from either medical treatments or bony metastases that can cause significant functional limitations. Additional complications include spinal cord compression, hypercalcemia, and bone marrow failure. Rehabilitation management of such conditions is reviewed, with an emphasis on diagnostic and therapeutic management. Bracing and focused rehabilitation programs facilitate maximal participation and functional outcomes, which can result in an enhanced quality of life. Specific rehabilitation goals and strategies are discussed, with an emphasis on tailoring these according to the functional staging of the patient.

Immobilization hypercalcemia treatment with pamidronate disodium after spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: To review the use of pamidronate to treat immobilization hypercalcemia after acute spinal cord injury (SCI) in 9 cases. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Two inpatient rehabilitation programs, one pediatric and one adult, in the Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System. PATIENTS: Patients with acute SCI who developed immobilization hypercalcemia that was treated with pamidronate. RESULTS: Nine patients (7 men, 2 women), ages 15 to 41 yrs, with SCI (8 tetraplegia, 1 paraplegia) were treated using pamidronate between 1994 and 1998. A single dose of 60 mg of pamidronate resolved the hypercalcemia or its symptoms in 7 (78%) patients within days. One patient required a second dose (90 mg) and one patient required three additional doses (the fourth at 90 mg) to achieve resolution of the hypercalcemia or symptoms. Side effects were mild and included drug-related fever in one patient and transient asymptomatic hypocalcemia in four patients. CONCLUSION: Pamidronate was effective in treating immobilization hypercalcemia caused by SCI. Its advantages include its effectiveness, the duration of treatment, ease of administration, and elimination of the need for long-term intravenous saline or daily medications.