Hypoparathyroidism and Salivary Gland Dysfunction: A Single Center Case–Control Study

Introduction Hypoparathyroidism, an endocrine disorder causing hypocalcemia from inadequate PTH secretion, affects multiple systems and may correlate with salivary dysfunction and poor oral health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hypoparathyroidism on salivary calcium levels, flow rate, and parotid gland structure, exploring the implications for oral health of this patient population. Materials and Methods Conducted as a case–control study between January and June 2024, our research included 86 participants: 43 with hypoparathyroidism and 43 in a healthy control group. We compared participants' salivary calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels alongside salivary gland ultrasonography features, sialometry results, and oral health questionnaire outcomes. Results Salivary calcium levels were significantly lower in the hypoPT group [5.43 (4.13–9.65) mg/dL] compared to the control group [7.06 (4.02–13.18) mg/dL] ( p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in salivary phosphorus ( p = 0.112) or magnesium ( p = 0.938) levels. Despite similar parotid volumes, ultrasonography detected significantly higher prevalence of parenchymal heterogeneity in the hypoparathyroidism cohort ( p = 0.025). Scores from the Multidisciplinary Salivary Gland Society questionnaire were significantly higher in the hypoparathyroidism group ( p < 0.05), while sialometry measurements were significantly lower ( p < 0.05). Conclusion These results collectively suggested that hypoPT is a clinical condition with demonstrable effects on both oral health and salivary gland functions.