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  • Abstract: Aging x
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Souad Daamouch Department of Medicine III and Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany

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Sylvia Thiele Department of Medicine III and Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany

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Lorenz Hofbauer Department of Medicine III and Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany

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Martina Rauner Department of Medicine III and Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany

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The link between obesity and low bone strength has become a significant medical concern. The canonical Wnt signaling pathway is a key regulator of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into either osteoblasts or adipocytes with active Wnt signaling promoting osteoblastogenesis. Our previous research indicated that Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1), a Wnt inhibitor, is upregulated in bone tissue in obesity and that osteoblast-derived Dkk1 drives obesity-induced bone loss. However, Dkk1 is also produced by adipocytes, but the impact of adipogenic Dkk1 on bone remodeling and its role in obesity-induced bone loss remain unclear. Thus, in this study, we investigated the influence of adipogenic Dkk1 on bone homeostasis and obesity-induced bone loss in mice. To that end, deletion of Dkk1 in adipocytes was induced by tamoxifen administration into 8-week-old male Dkk1fl/fl;AdipoQcreERT2 mice. Bone and fat mass were analyzed at 12 and 20 weeks of age. Obesity was induced in 8-week-old male Dkk1fl/fl;AdipoQcre mice with a high-fat diet (HFD) rich in saturated fats for 12 weeks. We observed that 12-week-old male mice without adipogenic Dkk1 had a significant increase in trabecular bone volume in the vertebrae and femoral bones. While histological and serological bone formation markers were not different, the number of osteoclasts and adipocytes was decreased in the vertebral bones of Dkk1fl/fl;AdipoQcre-positive mice. Despite the increased bone mass in 12-week-old male mice, at 20 weeks of age, there was no difference in the bone volume between the controls and Dkk1fl/fl;AdipoQcre-positive mice. Also, Dkk1fl/fl;AdipoQcre-positive mice were not protected from HFD-induced bone loss. Even though mRNA expression levels of Sost, another important Wnt inhibitor, in bone from Dkk1-deficient mice fed with HFD were decreased compared to Dkk1-sufficient mice on an HFD, this did not prevent the HFD-induced suppression of bone formation. In conclusion, adipogenic Dkk1 may play a transient role in bone mass regulation during adolescence, but it does not contribute to bone homeostasis or obesity-induced bone loss later in life.

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Shu-Meng Hu Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Yang-Juan Bai Department of Laboratory Medicine/Research Centre of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Ya-Mei Li Department of Laboratory Medicine/Research Centre of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Ye Tao Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Xian-Ding Wang Department of Urology/Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Tao Lin Department of Urology/Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Lan-Lan Wang Department of Laboratory Medicine/Research Centre of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Yun-Ying Shi Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Introduction

Tertiary hyperparathyroidism (THPT) and vitamin D deficiency are commonly seen in kidney transplant recipients, which may result in persistently elevated fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) level after transplantation and decreased graft survival. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on THPT, FGF23-alpha Klotho (KLA) axis and cardiovascular complications after transplantation.

Materials and methods

Two hundred nine kidney transplant recipients were included and further divided into treated and untreated groups depending on whether they received vitamin D supplementation. We tracked the state of THPT, bone metabolism and FGF23–KLA axis within 12 months posttransplant and explored the predictors and risk factors for intact FGF23 levels, KLA levels, THPT and cardiovascular complications in recipients.

Results

Vitamin D supplementation significantly improved FGF23 resistance, THPT and high bone turnover status, preserved better graft function and prevented coronary calcification in the treated group compared to the untreated group at month 12. The absence of vitamin D supplementation was an independent risk factor for THPT and a predictor for intact FGF23 and KLA levels at month 12. Age and vitamin D deficiency were independent risk factors for coronary calcification in recipients at month 12.

Conclusion

Vitamin D supplementation effectively improved THPT, FGF23 resistance and bone metabolism, preserved graft function and prevented coronary calcification after transplantation.

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Nancy Martini Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Osteopatías y Metabolismo Mineral (LIOMM-UNLP-CICPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina

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Lucas Streckwall Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Osteopatías y Metabolismo Mineral (LIOMM-UNLP-CICPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina

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Antonio Desmond McCarthy Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Osteopatías y Metabolismo Mineral (LIOMM-UNLP-CICPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina

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In post-menopausal women, aged individuals, and patients with diabetes mellitus or chronic renal disease, bone mineral density (BMD) decreases while the vasculature accumulates arterial calcifications (ACs). AC can be found in the tunica intima and/or in the tunica media. Prospective studies have shown that patients with initially low BMD and/or the presence of fragility fractures have at follow-up a significantly increased risk for coronary and cerebrovascular events and for overall cardiovascular mortality. Similarly, patients presenting with abdominal aorta calcifications (an easily quantifiable marker of vascular pathology) show a significant decrease in the BMD (and an increase in the fragility) of bones irrigated by branches of the abdominal aorta, such as the hip and lumbar spine. AC induction is an ectopic tissue biomineralization process promoted by osteogenic transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells as well as by local and systemic secreted factors. In many cases, the same regulatory molecules modulate bone metabolism but in reverse. Investigation of animal and in vitro models has identified several potential mechanisms for this reciprocal bone–vascular regulation, such as vitamin K and D sufficiency, advanced glycation end-products–RAGE interaction, osteoprotegerin/RANKL/RANK, Fetuin A, oestrogen deficiency and phytooestrogen supplementation, microbiota and its relation to diet, among others. Complete elucidation of these potential mechanisms, as well as their clinical validation via controlled studies, will provide a basis for pharmacological intervention that could simultaneously promote bone and vascular health.

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Victoria Chatzimavridou-Grigoriadou Department of Endocrinology, Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
Department of Endocrinology, University of Manchester, School of Medical Sciences, Manchester, UK

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Lisa H Barraclough Department of Endocrinology, Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
Department of Endocrinology, University of Manchester, School of Medical Sciences, Manchester, UK

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Rohit Kochhar Department of Clinical Oncology, Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK

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Lucy Buckley Department of Radiology, Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK

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Nooreen Alam Department of Radiotherapy, Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK

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Claire E Higham Department of Endocrinology, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK

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Background

Radiotherapy-related insufficiency fractures (RRIFs) represent a common, burdensome consequence of pelvic radiotherapy. Their underlying mechanisms remain unclear, and data on the effect of osteoporosis are contradictory, with limited studies assessing bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Methods

BMD by DXA (Hologic) scan and fracture risk following pelvic RRIF were retrospectively assessed in 39 patients (median age 68 years) at a tertiary cancer centre. Patient characteristics and treatment history are presented narratively; correlations were explored using univariate regression analyses.

Results

Additional cancer treatments included chemotherapy (n = 31), surgery (n = 20) and brachytherapy (n = 19). Median interval between initiation of radiotherapy and RRIF was 11 (7.5–20.8) and that between RRIF and DXA 3 was (1–6) months. Three patients had normal BMD, 16 had osteopenia and 16 osteoporosis, following World Health Organization classification. Four patients were <40 years at the time of DXA (all Z-scores > –2). Median 10-year risk for hip and major osteoporotic fracture was 3.1% (1.5–5.7) and 11.5% (7.1–13.8), respectively. Only 33.3% of patients had high fracture risk (hip fracture >4% and/or major osteoporotic >20%), and 31% fell above the intervention threshold per National Osteoporosis Guidelines Group (NOGG) guidance (2017). Higher BMD was predicted by lower pelvic radiotherapy dose (only in L3 and L4), concomitant chemotherapy and higher body mass index.

Conclusion

At the time of RRIF, most patients did not have osteoporosis, some had normal BMD and overall had low fracture risk. Whilst low BMD is a probable risk factor, it is unlikely to be the main mechanism underlying RRIFs, and further studies are required to understand the predictive value of BMD.

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Georgios Kontogeorgos Section for Geriatrics and Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra, Gothenburg, Sweden
Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Zoi Mamasoula Section for Geriatrics and Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra, Gothenburg, Sweden
Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Emily Krantz Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Penelope Trimpou Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Section for Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Kerstin Landin-Wilhelmsen Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Section for Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Christine M Laine Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Endocrine Out-Patient Clinic, Carlanderska Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Objective

Hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) is a rare endocrine disorder in which insufficient levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) lead to low serum calcium (S-Ca) levels and muscular cramps. The aim was to study the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and comorbidities in patients with HypoPT compared with the general population and to estimate the need of treatment with PTH analog.

Design

Patients with HypoPT were identified and compared with a population sample. Short Form-36 (SF-36) and EuroQol-5 Dimensions Visual Analogue Scale questionnaires were used. All patients were followed up at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital outpatient clinic.

Methods

From the medical records between 2007 and 2020, 203 patients with HypoPT were identified and compared with a population sample (n = 414) from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) MONICA project, Gothenburg, Sweden. Of the 203 patients who met the diagnostic criteria, 164 were alive and 65% answered the HRQoL questionnaires.

Results

Patients with HypoPT, 80% postsurgical, and controls had similar age (60 years) and sex distribution (80% women). Patients had lower SF-36 summary component scores for physical (40.0 (interquartile range (IQR): 21) vs 51.2 (IQR: 14.6); P < 0.001) and mental (43.1 (IQR:17.4) vs 56.1(IQR:13.3); P < 0.001) well-being, irrespective of etiology or calcium levels. Individuals with HypoPT had more medications and lower renal function but not higher mortality than controls. Low HRQoL together with low calcium was present in 23% of individuals with HypoPT.

Conclusion

HRQoL was markedly lower in patients with HypoPT than in controls and independent of S-Ca levels. Treatment with PTH analog could be considered at least among patients with both low HRQoL and low calcium levels.

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Jiaxin Zhang Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

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Jinlan Jiang Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

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Yao Qin School of Public Health, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

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Yihui Zhang Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

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Yungang Wu Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

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Huadong Xu School of Public Health, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

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Purpose

This study aims to investigate the associations of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) with bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis in adult females from a nationally representative sample.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed among 4092 females aged ≥20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2010. Linear and logistic regressions were applied to explore the relationships of SII with BMD and the risk of osteoporosis, respectively.

Results

Linear regression analyses found that a doubling of SII levels was significantly correlated with a 1.39% (95% CI: 0.57%, 2.20%) decrease in total femur BMD, a 1.16% (95% CI: 0.31%, 2.00%) decrease in femur neck BMD, a 1.73% (95% CI: 0.78%, 2.66%) decrease in trochanter BMD, and a 1.35% (95% CI: 0.50%, 2.20%) decrease in intertrochanteric BMD among postmenopausal women, after adjusting for covariates. Logistic regression analyses showed that compared with postmenopausal women in the lowest SII quartile, those in the highest quartile had higher risks of osteoporosis in the total femur (odds ratio (OR) = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.76), trochanter (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.07, 3.38), intertrochanter (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.05, 4.04) as well as overall osteoporosis (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.37). In contrast, there was no significant association between SII and BMD in premenopausal women.

Conclusions

SII levels were negatively associated with BMD levels in postmenopausal women but not in premenopausal women. Elevated SII levels could be a potential risk factor for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

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Maria Luisa Brandi Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Fondazione Italiana Ricerca sulle Malattie dell’Osso (FIRMO Onlus), Florence, Italy

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Stefania Bandinelli Geriatric Unit, Azienda Sanitaria Toscana Centro, Florence, Italy

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Teresa Iantomasi Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

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Francesca Giusti Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

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Eleonora Talluri Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

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Giovanna Sini Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

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Fabrizio Nannipieri Clinical Research, Abiogen Pharma, Pisa, Italy

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Santina Battaglia Clinical Research, Abiogen Pharma, Pisa, Italy

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Riccardo Giusti Clinical Research, Abiogen Pharma, Pisa, Italy

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Colin Gerard Egan CE Medical Writing SRLS, Pisa, Italy

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Luigi Ferrucci Longitudinal Study Section, Translation Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

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Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the association between the endocrine-disrupting chemical, bisphenol A (BPA) on circulating levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OD)D) and other vitamin D metabolites in an elderly population in Italy.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of the InCHIANTI Biobank in Italy. The association between vitamin D metabolites namely 1,25(OH)D, 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and BPA levels were evaluated. Multiple regression models were used to examine the association between predictor variables with 1,25(OH)D or 25(OH)D levels.

Results

Samples from 299 individuals aged 72.8 ± 15.7 years were examined. Mean levels of BPA, 1,25(OH)D and 25(OH)D were 351.2 ± 511.6 ng/dL, 43.7 ± 16.9 pg/mL and 20.2 ± 12.1 ng/mL, respectively. One hundred eighty individuals (60.2%) were deficient (<20 ng/mL) in 25(OH)D and this population also presented higher BPA levels (527.9 ± 1289.5 ng/dL vs 86.9 ± 116.8 ng/dL, P  < 0.0001). Univariate analysis revealed that BPA levels were negatively correlated with both 1,25(OH)D (r= −0.67, P  < 0.0001) and 25(OH)D (r= −0.69, P  < 0.0001). Multivariate regression revealed that PTH (β: −0.23, 95% CI: −0.34, −0.13, P  < 0.0001) and BPA (β: −0.25, 95% CI: −0.3, −0.19, P  < 0.0001) remained significantly associated with 25(OH)D levels while BPA was also associated with 1,25(OH)D levels (β: −0.19, 95% CI: −0.22, −0.15, P  < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a BPA concentration of >113 ng/dL was the best cut-off to predict individuals deficient in 25(OH)D (area under the curve: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.82–0.90, P  < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The strong negative association between BPA and vitamin D in this elderly population warrants further investigation, particularly since this population is already at greatest risk of hypovitaminosis and fracture.

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Julia Herteux Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, Graz, Austria

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Simon Johannes Geiger Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, Graz, Austria

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Christina Starchl Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, Graz, Austria

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Johanna Windisch Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, Graz, Austria

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Theresa Lerchl Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, Graz, Austria

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Adelina Tmava-Berisha Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, Graz, Austria

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Gerit Wünsch Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, Graz, Austria

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Kathrin Eller Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, Graz, Austria

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Astrid Fahrleitner-Pammer Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, Graz, Austria

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Karin Amrein Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, Graz, Austria

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Objective

Chronic hypoparathyroidism (HP) is associated with acute and chronic complications, especially those related to hypocalcemia. We aimed to analyze details on hospital admissions and the reported deaths in affected patients.

Design and methods

In a retrospective analysis, we reviewed the medical history of 198 patients diagnosed with chronic HP over a continuous period of up to 17 years at the Medical University Graz.

Results

The mean age in our mostly female cohort (70.2%) was 62.6 ± 18.7 years. The etiology was predominantly postsurgical (84.8%). About 87.4% of patients received standard medication (oral calcium/vitamin D), 15 patients (7.6%) used rhPTH1–84/Natpar® and 10 patients (4.5%) had no/unknown medication. Two hundred and nineteen emergency room (ER) visits and 627 hospitalizations were documented among 149 patients, and 49 patients (24.7%) did not record any hospital admissions. According to symptoms and decreased serum calcium levels, 12% of ER (n = 26) visits and 7% of hospitalizations (n = 44) were likely attributable to HP. A subgroup of 13 patients (6.5%) received kidney transplants prior to the HP diagnosis. In eight of these patients, parathyroidectomy for tertiary renal hyperparathyroidism was the cause of permanent HP. The mortality was 7.8% (n = 12), and the causes of death appeared to be unrelated to HP. Although the awareness for HP was low, calcium levels were documented in 71% (n = 447) of hospitalizations.

Conclusions

Acute symptoms directly related to HP did not represent the primary cause of ER visits. However, comorbidities (e.g. renal/cardiovascular diseases) associated with HP played a key role in hospitalizations and deaths.

Significance statement

Hypoparathyroidism (HP) is the most common complication after anterior neck surgery. Yet, it remains underdiagnosed as well as undertreated, and the burden of disease and long-term complications are usually underestimated. There are few detailed data on emergency room (ER) visits hospitalizations and death in patients with chronic HP, although acute symptoms due to hypo-/hypercalcemia are easily detectable. We show that HP is not the primary cause for presentation but that hypocalcemia is a typical laboratory finding (when ordered) and thus may contribute to subjective symptoms. Patients often present with renal/cardiovascular/oncologic illness for which HP is known to be a contributing factor. A small but very special group (n = 13, 6.5%) are patients after kidney transplantations who showed a high ER hospitalization rate. Surprisingly, HP was never the cause for their frequent hospitalizations but rather the result of chronic kidney disease. The most frequent cause for HP in these patients was parathyroidectomy due to tertiary hyperparathyroidism. The causes of death in 12 patients appeared to be unrelated to HP, but we found a high prevalence of chronic organ damages/comorbidities related to it in this group. Less than 25% documented HP correctly in the discharge letters, which indicates a high potential for improvement.

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