Higher Concentrations of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) are Associated with Reduced Gait Velocity in Adults: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: High serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH) have been associated with osteoporosis, sarcopenia and osteosarcopenia. Gait velocity is a predictor of adverse outcomes. This systematic review aimed to assess the observational evidence studying the association of PTH concentrations with gait velocity in adults. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase (Ovid interface) and Cochrane (CENTRAL) for published studies evaluating circulating PTH in human adults aged >20 years, without date or language restriction. We excluded studies with patients on dialysis and if PTH was measured following any intervention having a potential effect on its concentrations. Primary outcome was gait velocity, defined as the time needed to walk a predetermined distance or distance walked during a fixed period at usual pace or fast pace. Two independent researchers conducted data extraction and evaluated the risk of bias. A third reviewer resolved disagreements. Risk of bias assessment was done using the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute quality assessment tool. RESULTS: A total of 681 articles were retrieved from the systematic search. Following full-text review and risk of bias assessment, 8 studies were included for final analysis. Of the included studies, three demonstrated a significant inverse association between high PTH concentrations and gait velocity, one study showed an indirect association, and two studies showed a non-significant association of increasing PTH levels with declining gait speed. Two studies showed no relation. In addition, three of the studies also highlighted a negative correlation between PTH levels and muscle strength. CONCLUSION: Our review of published studies suggests that higher concentrations of PTH are associated with reduced gait velocity in adults. This relationship deserves further exploration with RCTs designed to assess the effects of correcting abnormal circulating PTH levels on physical performance in adults.

Parathyroid hormone levels and aging: Effect on balance.

Falls result in multiple adverse health outcomes including mortality in older persons. Impaired balance is known to increase the risk of falls. Numerous factors play a role in the etiology of balance disturbance. Among the calciotropic hormones, the role of vitamin D in falls risk has been extensively studied. There is evolving interest in the role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in this area. Elevated PTH hormone levels have been associated with age-related syndromes such as frailty, osteoporosis, and sarcopenia. Among the existing studies, most have focused on muscle strength with few studies evaluating its role in balance disturbances. In this chapter, we will summarize the aspects of PTH and aging, its biological effects on muscle, and the known associations between PTH and balance.

High parathyroid hormone levels are associated with poor balance in older persons: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: A high level of parathyroid hormone (PTH) was recently identified as a risk factor for falling. As balance instability is one of the major risk factors for falls, we aimed to investigate whether high PTH concentrations are associated with poor balance in older persons. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with 127 community-dwelling older adults (75% female), aged 65-96 years, at the Falls and Fracture Clinic, Western Health-Sunshine Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Patients with clinical conditions that could affect balance (e.g. Meniere's disease), denosumab users, and those with advanced kidney failure were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed dynamic balance by timed "up and go" (TUG)and four-square step tests, and by gait parameters; and static balance by posturography on a force platform. Blood tests provided values of PTH, vitamin D, calcium, albumin, and creatinine. Standard questionnaires were applied to assess clinical condition, medications and nutritional status, and to screen for depression. RESULTS: For dynamic balance, elevated PTH concentrations resulted in increased time to complete the TUG test (ß = 0.13; 95%CI: 0.01-0.26), indicating worse performance. For static balance, increased PTH was associated with increased instability in the center of pressure while standing with eyes closed on a hard surface (ß = 0.38; 95%CI: 0.03-0.73). Both models were controlled for vitamin D, renal function, nutritional and depressive status, age, sex, and number of medications. CONCLUSION: Increasing concentrations of PTH in this population of older persons had an independent negative association with both static and dynamic balance, which could place them at risk of falls. However, longitudinal studies are still required.

High parathyroid hormone levels are associated with osteosarcopenia in older individuals with a history of falling.

OBJECTIVES: The combination of osteopenia/osteoporosis and sarcopenia (osteosarcopenia) defines a diagnostic subset of individuals at higher risk of falls, fractures and institutionalization. In this study we aimed to assess the potential role of high serum levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in osteosarcopenia. We hypothesized that a high PTH level is one of the major determinants of this syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study in 400 subjects (mean age = 79, 65% women) assessed between 2009 and 2014 at the Falls and Fractures Clinic, Nepean Hospital (Penrith, Australia). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Medical history, physical examination, bone densitometry, body composition, posturography, grip strength, gait parameters, and blood tests for nutrition and secondary causes of sarcopenia and osteoporosis. Patients were assigned to one of four groups: 1) osteopenic/osteoporotic; 2) sarcopenic; 3) osteosarcopenic; or 4) non-sarcopenic/non-osteopenic. Patients with abnormal corrected calcium levels were excluded from analysis. Between-group differences were assessed using one-way analysis of variance and chi-squared tests. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate the association between the groups and PTH levels adjusted for age, vitamin D, renal function and albumin. RESULTS: 24% of the subjects had a high serum PTH level with normal corrected calcium level. These subjects were older, reported more falls per year, and had lower grip strength, limits of stability, BMD, and gait velocity. Subjects with high PTH levels were more likely to be in the osteosarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenic/non-osteopenic group (OR 6.88; CI: 1.9-9.2). CONCLUSIONS: We reported an independent association between high PTH levels and osteosarcopenia. Our results suggest an important role of PTH in osteosarcopenia that deserves further exploration.