Dilek Yazici, Dilek Gogas Yavuz, Meliha Melin Uygur, Onur Bugdayci, Uygur, Meliha Melin, Yazici, Dilek Dereli, Bugdayci, Onur, and Yavuz, Dilek Gogas
ObjectiveAn increased prevalence of vertebral fractures (VFs) has been reported in previous studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, serum sclerostin levels, and vertebral fractures (VFs) in acromegaly patients. We also evaluated the effects of gonadal status, disease activity, treatment modality, age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) on skeletal endpoints.DesignCase-control study.Patients and measurementsSeventy acromegaly patients (M/F:36/34, mean age 45,5±11,9 years) and 70 controls (M/F:31/39; mean age 45.66±11.9 years) were included. VFs, BMD, calcium metabolism, markers of bone turnover, and sclerostin levels were evaluated. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR 4500). Conventional lateral radiography of the spine was performed and the Genant method was used for the assessment of fractures of T4–L5 vertebrae.ResultsThe prevalence of vertebral fractures was higher in acromegalic patients as compared with the control group (72.9% vs. 20%; p