Bone Mineral Density and Vitamin D Status in Patients with Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndromes: A Single Tertiary Care Center Experience

This study evaluated the vitamin D level and BMD of patients with
APS. We performed a cross-sectional study on 44 patients with APS and 55 age and
gender-matched control subjects. Among patients with APS, 14 were classified as
APS-2 [Addison’s disease (AD)+autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD)
and/or type 1 diabetes(T1D)]. In contrast, the other 30 were APS-3
(ATD+T1D+other autoimmune diseases). Serum samples were analyzed
for vitamin D levels. The lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD were measured by
dual X-ray absorptiometry. Z-scores were obtained by comparison with age- and
gender-matched average values (both patients and controls). The accepted normal
levels were Z-score>–1 and
25-OHD>30 ng/ml. Patients with APS showed 25-OHD levels
and BMD significantly lower than healthy controls (p<0.001 and
p<0.05, respectively). The highest prevalence of abnormal BMD was
observed in the APS-2 subgroup (13 out of 14 patients, 92.6%).
Identifying and treating vitamin D deficiency and low BMD is critical in APS
patients. The fact that the significant endocrine component of APS-2 is AD, and
these patients receive chronic long-term glucocorticoid therapy can be shown as
the reason for this result. However, more extensive prospective controlled
studies are needed to confirm these findings. [...] Georg ...

Source: Hormone and Metabolic Research - December 6, 2023 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Akkurt Kocaeli, Aysen Erturk, Erd ınc Tags: Original Article: Endocrine Care Source Type: research