Prevalence of coeliac disease in idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and effect of gluten-free diet on calcaemic control

Extra-Intestinal Manifestations of Celiac Disease: What Should We Know in 2022?

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic, small-intestinal, immune-mediated enteropathy due to gluten exposition in genetically predisposed individuals. It occurs in about 1% of the population and often remains an underdiagnosed condition. This could be due to the fact that the adult population often lacks the classical signs and symptoms of CD, manifesting only atypical symptoms. In this review we analyzed the main extra-intestinal manifestations of CD which include cutaneous and endocrinological disorders, abnormal liver function tests, and neuropsychiatric features. When CD is not diagnosed and therefore is not treated with a gluten-free diet (GFD), it can predispose to severe complications, not only gastrointestinal. Thus, it is important for clinicians to quickly recognize the atypical manifestations of CD, considering that an early diagnosis can significantly impact on a patient's prognosis.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) in idiopathic hypoparathyroidism

Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (IH) and autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) are rare disorders. A patient with IH and optimal calcaemic control on calcium and alfacalcidol was detected to have PAP after 8 years of follow-up. Patient had no respiratory complaints. Routine abdominal imaging for renal calcification showed patchy ground glass opacities in the lower lung fields leading to incidental diagnosis of PAP. Pulmonary function tests showed impaired diffusion capacity of the lung. Anti-granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor autoantibodies were positive. Patient regularly attended the pulmonary clinic and showed progressive improvement in diffusion capacity of the lung during 2 years of follow-up. The calcaemic control in IH remained stable despite its presence with PAP. The autoimmune PAP in the presented case suggests a possible autoimmune basis of IH.

Central Immune Tolerance of T and B Cells in Patients With Idiopathic Hypoparathyroidism, T1D, and Autoimmune Thyroiditis

CONTEXT

Pathogenesis of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (IH) is under investigation. Abnormalities in central immune tolerance have yet not been investigated in this condition. T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and kappa-deleting recombination excision circles (KRECs), formed during receptor gene rearrangements, are tools to assess central T- and B-cell output.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the number of circulating TRECs and KRECs in patients with IH, autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D), and autoimmune thyroiditis (ATs) and healthy controls (HCs).

DESIGN

Comparative case-control at tertiary care center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Absolute and relative TRECs and KRECs were measured in DNA extracted from whole blood of patients with IH (n = 181, 22 of whom were reassessed after a decade of follow-up) and T1D (n = 133), AT (n = 53), and HC (n = 135) using a quantitative real-time PCR/TaqMan® probe technique.

RESULTS

Absolute and relative means of TRECs and KRECs in IH were comparable to HCs, and no differences were found between IH with and without calcium-sensing receptor antibodies or class I HLA-A*26:01 association. TRECs and KRECs did not change after a decade of follow-up. T1D had significantly higher absolute TRECs than IH, AT, and HCs, whereas AT patients showed lower TRECs and the highest KRECs; these levels showed no noteworthy correlation with thyroid dysfunctions.

CONCLUSION

Patients with IH showed TRECs and KRECs comparable to HCs, indicating an intact mechanism of T- and B-cell central immune tolerance. Interestingly, absolute TRECs were significantly higher in T1D than HCs, suggesting impaired central immune tolerance in T1D.

Auditing the Efficacy and Safety of Alfacalcidol and Calcium Therapy in Idiopathic Hypoparathyroidism

CONTEXT

Patients with hypoparathyroidism are treated with vitamin D and calcium. PTH is an emerging option because of its physiological action. It is important to assess the efficacy and shortcomings of conventional therapy.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the efficacy and safety of alfacalcidol in a large cohort of patients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (IH) and identified a subset who could be treated without oral calcium.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Observational study at tertiary care center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We assessed 92 patients with IH who were receiving alfacalcidol and oral calcium to maintain an optimal serum total calcium level of 8.0 to 8.5 mg/dL during routine follow-up. Patients with suboptimal control were provided free medicines and followed up frequently. Oral calcium and alfacalcidol doses were titrated sequentially to determine the minimum doses for optimal calcium control. Serum phosphate level, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, fractional excretion of phosphorus (FEPh), and hypercalciuria (urine calcium-to-creatinine ratio, >0.2) were assessed at each step of titration.

RESULTS

Only 38% of patients had optimal calcium control during routine follow-up. With good compliance, all achieved optimal serum calcium and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels and 43% of patients could stop taking oral calcium. Hyperphosphatemia, hypercalciuria, and low FEPh persisted at all stages of therapy. Serum phosphorus levels normalized when the serum calcium level increased to 9.9 mg/dL, but this level of serum total calcium was associated with hypercalciuria in 90% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Alfacalcidol is effective in achieving calcemic control in IH. Calcemic control without oral calcium was achieved in 43% of patients receiving alfacalcidol. However, optimal calcium control was associated with hyperphosphatemia and hypercalciuria in most patients.

Endocrine complications of celiac disease: a case report and review of the literature

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to review recent literature regarding endocrine disorders related to celiac disease (CD).

METHODS

We describe a case report and review existing literature on the endocrine manifestations of CD.

RESULTS

CD is an autoimmune disorder characterized by intestinal inflammation in response to gluten. CD can cause a wide range of extra-intestinal complications, including endocrine manifestations. Metabolic bone disease including osteoporosis and osteopenia, vitamin D deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism and less frequently osteomalacia can be seen. In CD, fracture risk is increased by 30-40%, while risk for hip fracture is approximately doubled. The risk for other endocrine disorders, particularly autoimmune endocrinopathies, is also increased in those with CD compared to the general population. Epidemiologic data indicate the risk for hypothyroidism is 3-4 times higher among those with CD, while risk of type 1 diabetes is greater than double. Risk for primary adrenal insufficiency is a striking 11-fold higher in those with versus without CD, though the absolute risk is low. Fertility is reduced in women with CD before diagnosis by 37% while male fertility in the absence of hypogonadism does not appear to be affected. Other endocrine conditions including hyperthyroidism, ovarian failure, androgen insensitivity, impaired growth and growth hormone deficiency and autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes have also been associated with CD.

CONCLUSIONS

CD is associated with a wide range of endocrine manifestations.

Endocrinopathies in celiac disease: When the endocrinologist sees what is invisible to the gastroenterologist

Celiac disease (CD) is a systemic, immune mediated and genetically determined small intestinal disorder characterized by intolerance to dietary gluten that generally presents with gastrointestinal symptoms in young children and extra-intestinal manifestations. Furthermore, there is close association between CD and endocrine diseases, including diabetes, autoimmune thyroid diseases, growth and pubertal disorders, etc. probably due to the presence of a common genetic predisposition. The present review aims to highlight and give more insight to the endocrine changes in CD, especially when there are few or no gastrointestinal symptoms and to emphasize on screening opportunities in some endocrine diseases. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Long-term outcome of cataract surgery in patients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and its relationship with their calcemic status

Cataract is a cardinal manifestation of hypoparathyroidism. Although patients with hypoparathyroidism require cataract surgery at a younger age than individuals without hypoparathyroidism, there is limited information on the outcome of this surgery. We assessed long-term complications of cataract surgery in patients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (IH) and its relationship with their clinical and biochemical parameters. Twenty-seven patients with IH and 25 nonhypoparathyroid controls with a minimum follow-up of 2 years after cataract surgery were assessed for visual acuity, intraocular pressure, lens centricity, Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, and the severity of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and anterior capsular opacification. High-resolution optical slit-lamp images were analyzed by an ophthalmologist. Patients with IH had cataract surgery at a younger age than controls (34.0 ± 16.4 years vs 58.0 ± 11.2 years, P < 0.001). A higher proportion of IH patients had dense white PCO (75.0 % vs 39.4 %, P = 0.004), Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy (44.2 % vs 10.0 %, P = 0.001), anterior capsular opacification (97.7 % vs 84.2 %, P = 0.03), and a decentric lens (28.3% vs 2.6 %, P = 0.001) at a comparable time after surgery (8.6 ± 6.1 years vs 8.7 ± 6.8 years, P = 0.85). On regression analysis, the severity of PCO in IH correlated only with male sex and not with other factors, including serum total calcium and inorganic phosphorus levels at the baseline and during follow-up. To conclude, patients with IH are likelier than individuals without IH to develop PCO and to require Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy after cataract surgery. Proper precautions should be taken during surgery to minimize this complication in IH.

Endocrine manifestations in celiac disease

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune small intestinal mucosal disorder that often presents with diarrhea, malabsorption and weight loss. Often, one or more associated endocrine disorders may be associated with CD. For this review, methods involved an extensive review of published English-language materials. In children and adolescents, prospective studies have demonstrated a significant relationship to insulin-dependent or type 1 diabetes, whereas in adults, autoimmune forms of thyroid disease, particularly hypothyroidism, may commonly co-exist. In some with CD, multiple glandular endocrinopathies may also occur and complicate the initial presentation of the intestinal disease. In others presenting with an apparent isolated endocrine disorder, serological screening for underlying subclinical CD may prove to be positive, particularly if type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid or other autoimmune endocrine diseases, such as Addison’s disease are first detected. A number of reports have also recorded hypoparathyroidism or hypopituitarism or ovarian failure in CD and these may be improved with a strict gluten-free diet.