Impact of Preoperative Calcium and Magnesium Supplementation on Quality of Life and Hypocalcemia Post-Thyroidectomy.

Postoperative hypocalcemia occurred less frequently in the intervention group than the control group, though the difference was not statistically significant.

• Postoperative hypocalcemia occurred in 19.4% of intervention group (IG) patients and 25% of control group (CG) patients.
• Hypoparathyroidism occurred in 16% of IG patients and 23% of CG patients.
• The IG demonstrated higher postoperative calcium levels and fewer hypocalcemia symptoms, especially in Graves' disease patients.
• The observed differences did not reach statistical significance but were considered potentially clinically relevant.

Quality of life improved significantly postoperatively in both groups, with Graves' disease patients in the intervention group showing earlier QoL improvements.

• QoL was assessed using EQ-5D and ThyPro39de questionnaires at study enrolment (T1), preoperatively (T2), immediately postoperatively (T3), and 6 weeks post-discharge (T4).
• QoL significantly improved postoperatively in both intervention and control groups.
• Patients with Graves' disease in the IG reported earlier QoL improvements immediately post-surgery (T3).
• The earlier improvement in QoL for Graves' disease patients in the IG was a notable finding compared to the CG.

The study enrolled 62 patients randomised into two equal groups receiving preoperative supplementation or no supplementation for 2 weeks prior to thyroidectomy.

• The intervention group (IG, n=31) received 500 mg calcium carbonate thrice daily and 300 mg magnesium carbonate once daily for 2 weeks preoperatively.
• The control group (CG, n=31) received no supplementation.
• Patients were undergoing total thyroidectomy for symptomatic nodular goitre or Graves' disease (benign thyroid diseases).
• Laboratory parameters measured included Ca, Mg, PTH, and 25-OH-Vitamin D at four time points: T1 (enrolment), T2 (preoperatively), T3 (immediately postoperatively), and T4 (6 weeks post-discharge).

Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in the study population but showed no correlation with postoperative hypocalcemia.

• Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in 66.7% of the study population.
• No correlation was found between vitamin D deficiency and the occurrence of postoperative hypocalcemia.
• The authors noted that the effect of pre-existing vitamin D deficiency remains uncertain.

The additional benefit of preoperative magnesium supplementation was considered to be of minor significance.

• Magnesium carbonate 300 mg once daily was administered to the IG alongside calcium carbonate for 2 weeks preoperatively.
• The authors concluded that the additional benefit of preoperative magnesium supplementation seems to be of minor significance.
• The intervention was characterised as simple, inexpensive, and low-risk.

Postoperative hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism are common complications after thyroidectomy that frequently impair quality of life.

• The study was motivated by the observation that postoperative hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism are common complications after thyroidectomy.
• These complications are described as often impairing quality of life (QoL).
• The study focused specifically on patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for benign disease (symptomatic nodular goitre or Graves' disease).