AIM: Hypercortisolism is known to cause osteoporosis. Some evidence suggests that osteoporotic fractures may be the presenting manifestations of otherwise-asymptomatic hypercortisolism. The aim of our research was to investigate the prevalence of subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) in postmenopausal women evaluated for bone fragility. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive postmenopausal women attending the Osteoporosis Centre in the Department of Internal Medicine of the University of Messina (Messina, Italy), for the first time, were screened and a total of 50 patients (age 58±5 years) were studied. Hypercortisolism was diagnosed by unsuppressed serum cortisol levels after 2 day low dose dexamethasone suppression test. RESULTS: Among the 50 postmenopausal women studied, 3 had SH. This prevalence was 6%. The three patients with SH had a normal bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine and were osteopenic at femoral neck, and presented one or more vertebral fractures at spinal radiography. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should always consider SH among the causes of bone fragility, especially in individuals with vertebral fractures and the presence of an only slightly reduced BMD.
AIM: Hypercortisolism is known to cause osteoporosis. Some evidence suggests that osteoporotic fractures may be the presenting manifestations of otherwise-asymptomatic hypercortisolism. The aim of our research was to investigate the prevalence of subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) in postmenopausal women evaluated for bone fragility. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive postmenopausal women attending the Osteoporosis Centre in the Department of Internal Medicine of the University of Messina (Messina, Italy), for the first time, were screened and a total of 50 patients (age 58±5 years) were studied. Hypercortisolism was diagnosed by unsuppressed serum cortisol levels after 2 day low dose dexamethasone suppression test. RESULTS: Among the 50 postmenopausal women studied, 3 had SH. This prevalence was 6%. The three patients with SH had a normal bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine and were osteopenic at femoral neck, and presented one or more vertebral fractures at spinal radiography. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should always consider SH among the causes of bone fragility, especially in individuals with vertebral fractures and the presence of an only slightly reduced BMD.
Authors: F Pugliese; A S Salcuni; C Battista; V Carnevale; G Guglielmi; C Columbu; F Velluzzi; L Giovanelli; C Eller-Vainicher; A Scillitani; I Chiodini Journal: Endocrine Date: 2021-01-23 Impact factor: 3.633
Authors: L Giovanelli; C Aresta; V Favero; M Bonomi; B Cangiano; C Eller-Vainicher; G Grassi; V Morelli; F Pugliese; A Falchetti; L Gennari; A Scillitani; L Persani; I Chiodini Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2021-01-04 Impact factor: 4.256