Teriparatide Administration By The Omnipod Pump: A Self-Managed Therapeutic Option for Refractory Hypoparathyroidism
Abstract Context : Hypoparathyroidism (hypoPTH) in adults is mainly due to total thyroidectomy. Conventional therapies (calcium, active vitamin D) can fail to normalize calcemia, expose the patient to hypercalciuria and impact quality-of-life. Human parathormone (hPTH) replacement therapy is a suitable option in these cases, although few clinical reports have been published so far. Methods we describe two cases of refractory postsurgical hypoPTH for which subcutaneous infusion of recombinant parathormone (teriparatide) through the Omnipod® pump was started after failure of all other therapeutic options. Besides, we performed a review of literature of hypoPTH cases treated by continuous infusion of teriparatide. Results two women aged 46 and 61yo failed to normalize calcemia either with conventional treatments (calcium 8g/d + calcitriol 9µg/d and calcium 5g/d + calcitriol 12µg/d) or with thrice-daily subcutaneous injections of teriparatide. As a last resort, teriparatide infusion via Omnipod® device normalized their calcemia and allowed calcium/vitamin D withdrawal, with average teriparatide dose of 23 and 32 µg/day, respectively. Notably, a dedicated protocol currently allow each patient to be autonomous with its pump without adverse dyscalcemia until now. In the literature, 15 adult cases (13 women, mean age 44.5 ± 5.2 yo) are reported. HypoPTH was consecutive to surgery in all of them. Mean dose of teriparatide administered was 25 ± 6 µg/d with improvement of calcemia level and quality-of-life in all patients. Conclusion Continuous administration of teriparatide through Omnipod® is a safe and efficient therapeutic option in refractory hypoPTH, which can, furthermore, be safely self-managed by the patient.