Association of plasma parathyroid hormone with metabolic syndrome and risk for cardiovascular disease

Objective: To review the current literature investigating the association of plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).Methods: We conducted a search of PubMed and Medline database using the terms hyperparathyroidism, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and CVD. We reviewed relevant studies from 2004 to 2012.Results: The current literature assessing the association of plasma PTH levels with metabolic syndrome and CVD is inconsistent; however, positive associations among hyperparathyroidism, metabolic syndrome, and CVD were found in a majority of the studies. The differences in the study populations may partly explain the mixed results.Conclusion: In the general population, a high serum PTH level predisposes patients to CVD mortality. Further research is needed to determine the role of PTH in the etiology of metabolic syndrome and CVD.