The effect of a single dose versus a daily dose of cholecalciferol on the serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and parathyroid hormone levels in the elderly with secondary hyperparathyroidism living in a low-income housing unit

What Was Tested

This randomized controlled trial paper looks at Parathyroid Hormone (PTH 1-84) in the context of hyperparathyroidism.

The researchers designed a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial to compare the effect of two regimens for administering cholecalciferol on the serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D] levels and in the reversion of secondary hyperparathyroidism in the elderly living in a low-income housing unit in the city of Porto Alegre, southern Brazil.

Who Took Part

The study group was 28 individuals.

PubMed indexes the participants as older adults and people over 80.

How the Study Was Run

The researchers set it up as a randomized and double-blind study.

Random assignment meant chance, not the researchers, decided who got Parathyroid Hormone (PTH 1-84) and who got the comparison, which limits bias.

Blinding on both sides kept the individuals and researchers unaware of who received Parathyroid Hormone (PTH 1-84).

Serum 25(OH)D and PTH levels were measured at baseline and after 1, 2, 3, 6, and 9 months.

What Was Measured

Topics PubMed links to this paper include Bone Density Conservation Agents, Brazil, Calcifediol, Calcium, Dietary, Cholecalciferol, Dietary Supplements and Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized and double-blind study of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH 1-84) in 28 individuals in people with hyperparathyroidism.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 2008 (Journal of bone and mineral metabolism), a journal based in Japan.

More context: the Parathyroid Hormone (PTH 1-84) compound page, Hyperparathyroidism research.