Bone Health in Patients with Cushing's Syndrome

Bone mineral density in adults with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita: a retrospective cohort analysis

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of low femoral and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) in adults with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC). We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of adults with AMC who were enrolled in the French Reference Center for AMC and in the Pediatric and Adult Registry for Arthrogryposis (PARART, NCT05673265). Patients who had undergone dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and/or vitamin D testing were included in the analysis. Fifty-one patients (mean age, 32.9 ± 12.6 years) were included; 46 had undergone DXA. Thirty-two (32/51, 62.7%) patients had Amyoplasia, and 19 (19/51, 37.3%) had other types of AMC (18 distal arthrogryposis, 1 Larsen). Six patients (6/42, 14.3%) had a lumbar BMD Z score less than - 2. The mean lumbar spine Z score (- 0.03 ± 1.6) was not significantly lower than the expected BMD Z score in the general population. Nine (9/40, 22.5%) and 10 (10/40, 25.0%) patients had femoral neck and total hip BMD Z scores less than - 2, respectively. The mean femoral neck (- 1.1 ± 1.1) and total hip (- 1.2 ± 1.2) BMD Z scores in patients with AMC were significantly lower than expected in the general population (p < 0.001). Femoral neck BMD correlated with height (rs = 0.39, p = 0.01), age (rs = - 0.315, p = 0.48); total hip BMD correlated with height (rs = 0.331, p = 0.04) and calcium levels (rs = 0.41, p = 0.04). Twenty-five patients (25/51, 49.0%) reported 39 fractures. Thirty-one (31/36, 86.1%) patients had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels less than 75 nmol/l, and 6 (6/36, 16.7%) had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels less than 75 nmol/l. Adults with AMC had lower hip BMD than expected for their age, and they more frequently showed vitamin D insufficiency. Screening for low BMD by DXA and adding vitamin D supplementation when vitamin D status is insufficient should be considered in adults with AMC, especially if there is a history of falls or fractures.

The association of bone mineral density Z-score with the early postoperative remission and characteristics of bone mineral loss in patients with Cushing's disease: a retrospective study

AIM

To investigate the association of bone mineral density (BMD) Z-scores with early-postoperative remission rate and clinical parameters in patients with Cushing's disease (CD).

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the records of patients diagnosed with CD. After the exclusion of 230 patients, 87 CD patients were finally enrolled. BMD was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the lumbar spine 1-4 (L1-4) and left femur. Early-postoperative remission was defined as a morning cortisol concentration on the first day after surgery of less than 5 μg/dL. The diagnosis of BMD "below the expected range for age" was defined as a Z-score≤-2.00 standard deviations.

RESULTS

DXA results were not significantly associated with early postoperative remission. They also did not significantly differ between eugonadal and menopausal groups. Preoperative morning cortisol significantly negatively but weakly correlated with Z-score of the total femur, while preoperative adrenocorticotropic hormone/cortisol ratio positively but weakly correlated with DXA results of L1-4.

CONCLUSION

The severity of bone loss was not significantly related to the failure of transsphenoidal surgery for Cushing's disease.

The association of bone mineral density Z-score with the early postoperative remission and characteristics of bone mineral loss in patients with Cushing's disease: a retrospective study

AIM

To investigate the association of bone mineral density (BMD) Z-scores with early-postoperative remission rate and clinical parameters in patients with Cushing's disease (CD).

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the records of patients diagnosed with CD. After the exclusion of 230 patients, 87 CD patients were finally enrolled. BMD was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the lumbar spine 1-4 (L1-4) and left femur. Early-postoperative remission was defined as a morning cortisol concentration on the first day after surgery of less than 5 μg/dL. The diagnosis of BMD "below the expected range for age" was defined as a Z-score≤-2.00 standard deviations.

RESULTS

DXA results were not significantly associated with early postoperative remission. They also did not significantly differ between eugonadal and menopausal groups. Preoperative morning cortisol significantly negatively but weakly correlated with Z-score of the total femur, while preoperative adrenocorticotropic hormone/cortisol ratio positively but weakly correlated with DXA results of L1-4.

CONCLUSION

The severity of bone loss was not significantly related to the failure of transsphenoidal surgery for Cushing's disease.

Bone phenotypes in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: survey on the MEN1 Florentine database

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare, inherited cancer syndrome characterized by the development of multiple endocrine and non-endocrine tumors. MEN1 patients show a reduction of bone mass and a higher prevalence of early onset osteoporosis, compared to healthy population of the same age, gender, and ethnicity. During the monitoring and follow-up of MEN1 patients, the attention of clinicians is primarily focused on the diagnosis and therapy of tumors, while the assessment of bone health and mineral metabolism is, in many cases, marginally considered. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed bone and mineral metabolism features in a series of MEN1 patients from the MEN1 Florentine database. Biochemical markers of bone and mineral metabolism and densitometric parameters of bone mass were retrieved from the database and were analyzed based on age ranges and genders of patients and presence/absence of the three main MEN1-related endocrine tumor types. Our evaluation confirmed that patients with a MEN1 diagnosis have a high prevalence of earlyonset osteopenia and osteoporosis, in association with levels of serum and urinary markers of bone turnover higher than the normal reference values, regardless of their different MEN1 tumors. Fifty percent of patients younger than 26 years manifested osteopenia and 8.3% had osteoporosis, in at least one of the measured bone sites. These data suggest the importance of including biochemical and instrumental monitoring of bone metabolism and bone mass in the routine medical evaluation and follow-up of MEN1 patients and MEN1 carriers as important clinical aspects in the management of the syndrome.

Assessment of non-traumatic vertebral fractures in Cushing's syndrome patients

PURPOSE

Hypercortisolism has detrimental effects on bone metabolism with the consequences of bone loss and bone fractures. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of vertebral fragility fractures and to determine the factors associated with Cushing's syndrome (CS).

METHODS

A total of 135 patients diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome [108 patients with Cushing's disease and 27 patients with adrenocortical adenoma] and 107 healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional study. The available clinical, laboratory, and radiologic data of patients with CS were recorded, retrospectively. Lateral vertebral radiograms were evaluated for vertebral fragility fractures according to Genant's semi-quantitative method. Bone mineral density (BMD) was determined using a Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

RESULTS

Vertebral fragility fractures (VFs) were observed in 75.3% (n = 61) of the patients. The median number of VFs was six (min-max: 2-12). All patients with vertebral fractures had thoracic VF, and 50.7% of the patients had lumbar fragility fractures. Thirty-three (40.7%) patients with vertebral fractures had normal bone densitometry values. Osteoporosis and osteopenia were observed in 16.2% and 40.7% of the patients, respectively. The duration of active disease, the presence of ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma, and 24-h urinary cortisol did not influence the presence of vertebral fractures. Vertebral fractures were independently associated with age, FSH, LH levels, and lumbar BMD (R² = 68.18%, p = 0.028). The femoral neck BMD (but not lumbar BMD) was independently associated with age, BMI, and PTH levels (R² = 48.48%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Vertebral fracture frequency was higher in CS patients. Most of the patients with vertebral fractures had multiple fractures. Although low lumbar BMD was associated with VF, patients with CS with normal bone densitometry could experience VF. Vertebral radiograph evaluations as a part of routine evaluation for silent vertebral fractures may help to prevent further fractures in patients with CS.

Bone and Mineral Metabolism Phenotypes in MEN1-Related and Sporadic Primary Hyperparathyroidism, before and after Parathyroidectomy

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is the most common endocrinopathy in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). Persistent levels of increased parathyroid hormone (PTH) result in a higher incidence of osteopenia and osteoporosis compared to the general population. Surgical removal of hyper-functioning parathyroid tissue is the therapy of choice. This retrospective study evaluated the effect of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on bone metabolism and bone mass in two series of patients with MEN1 PHPT and sporadic PHPT (sPHPT) by comparing bone metabolism-related biochemical markers and bone mineral density (BMD) before and after surgery. Our data confirmed, in a higher number of cases than in previously published studies, the efficacy of PTX, not only to rapidly restore normal levels of PTH and calcium, but also to normalize biochemical parameters of bone resorption and bone formation, and to improve spine and femur bone mass, in both MEN1 PHPT and sPHPT. Evaluation of single-patient BMD changes after surgery indicates an individual variable bone mass improvement in a great majority of MEN1 PHPT patients. In MEN1 patients, PTX is strongly suggested in the presence of increased PTH and hypercalcemia to prevent/reduce the early-onset bone mass loss and grant, in young patients, the achievement of the bone mass peak; routine monitoring of bone metabolism and bone mass should start from adolescence. Therapy with anti-fracture drugs is indicated in MEN1 patients with BMD lower than the age-matched normal values.

Osteoporosis in Premenopausal Women: A Clinical Narrative Review by the ECTS and the IOF

CONTEXT

Consensus regarding diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in premenopausal women (PW) is still lacking due to few studies carried out in this population.

DESIGN

The European Calcified Tissue Society and the International Osteoporosis Foundation convened a working group to produce an updated review of literature published after 2017 on this topic.

RESULTS

Fragility fractures in PW are rare and mostly due to secondary osteoporosis (ie, in presence of an underlying disease such as hormonal, inflammatory, or digestive disorders). In absence of another disorder, low bone mineral density (BMD) together with fragility fractures qualifies as idiopathic osteoporosis. In contrast, low BMD alone does not necessarily represent osteoporosis in absence of bone microarchitectural abnormalities. BMD increases in PW with osteoporosis when the underlying disease is treated. For example, in celiac disease, an increase of 9% in radius trabecular volumetric density was achieved after 1 year of gluten-free diet, while anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha improved BMD in PW with inflammatory bowel diseases. In amenorrhea, including anorexia nervosa, appropriately delivered estrogen replacement therapy can also improve BMD. Alternatively, antiresorptive or anabolic therapy has been shown to improve BMD in a variety of conditions, the range of improvement (3%-16%) depending on skeletal site and the nature of the secondary cause. No studies were powered to demonstrate fracture reduction. The effects of bisphosphonates in childbearing women have been scantly studied and caution is needed.

CONCLUSION

The majority of PW with osteoporosis have an underlying disease. Specific therapy of these diseases, as well as antiresorptive and anabolic drugs, improve BMD, but without evidence of fracture reduction.

Decreased Trabecular Bone Score in Patients With Active Endogenous Cushing's Syndrome

INTRODUCTION

The impairment in bone microarchitecture and reduced bone quality are relevant mechanisms underlying the increased fracture risk in Cushing's syndrome (CS). The trabecular bone score (TBS) is a relatively novel textural index of bone microarchitecture.

PURPOSE

The objective of the study was to compare TBS, bone mineral density (BMD), and fracture risk in patients with endogenous CS to controls. We have investigated the association of TBS with anthropometric parameters and 25(OH) vitamin D concentrations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study group comprised 19 consecutive patients with CS (14 women and 5 men; mean age 45.84 ± 13.15 years) and sex-, age-matched 36 controls (25 women and men; mean age 52.47 ± 8.98 years). Anthropometric parameters, biochemical and hormonal data were compared between groups. Lumbar spine (L1-L4) and femoral neck BMD (LS BMD, FN BMD) measurements were performed. TBS values were obtained from lumbar spine DXA images.

RESULTS

TBS was significantly lower in patients with CS compared to controls (p = 0.0002). The 10-year probability of hip fracture and the 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture were significantly higher in the CS group than in controls (p = 0.03, p < 0.0001, respectively). All subjects from the CS group with fractures had low TBS value (degraded microarchitecture). TBS correlated negatively with the duration of disease in patients with CS (r = -0.590 p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

The patients with active CS have altered bone microstructure as indicated by the decreased TBS and are at higher risk of hip and a major osteoporotic fractures. TBS seems to be a very important analytical tool facilitating fracture risk assessment in endogenous hypercortisolism.