Predictive factors for hypocalcaemia in post-thyroidectomy patients: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: Hypocalcaemia following thyroidectomy is a relatively common complication, which is sometimes difficult to correct. Methods: In this cohort study, we assessed the predictive factors for laboratory hypocalcaemia and symptomatic in patients who underwent thyroidectomy between January 2018–June 2019. Results: A total of 170 patients (153 women) were studied. Laboratory hypocalcaemia was found in 91.2% of patients, while 62.7% manifested symptomatic hypocalcaemia. Of the patients with symptomatic hypocalcaemia/(36%) had hypomagnesaemia as well. Univariate analysis revealed that type of disease (P = 0.0001), duration of surgery (P = 0.001), duration of disease (P = 0.005), type of surgery (P = 0.032) and hypomagnesaemia (P = 0.002) were significantly associated with hypocalcaemia. Age did not play a key role in the development of hypocalcaemia. Hypocalcaemia did not respond to supplementation without correcting the hypomagnesaemia. Conclusions: Type of disease, duration of disease, duration of surgery, type of surgery and hypomagnesaemia were risk factors. Age did not play a key role in the development of hypocalcaemia. Hypocalcaemia did not respond to supplementation without correcting the hypomagnesaemia. Adequate intervention can be started earlier to reduce the duration of hospital stay.

Keywords

• hypocalcaemia
• hypomagnesaemia
• paraesthesia
• thyroidectomy