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Purpose: There is an increased fracture risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus [DM] patients independent of bone mineral density [BMD], both in men and women. Estrogen receptor [ER]-alpha and vitamin D receptor [VDR] gene polymorphisms may predispose patients to increased osteoporosis and fracture risk. This study aims to analyze the relationship of the ER-alpha gene and VDR gene polymorphisms with indicators of bone turnover and BMD in male type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: Type 2 diabetic men diagnosed with diabetes for at least one year and healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional study. BMD was measured by dual X ray absorptiometry. Gene polymorphisms were evaluated with polymerase chain reaction-restriction length polymorphism. Serum iPTH, calcium, beta-CrossLaps (cTx), osteocalcin, and free testosterone levels were also evaluated. Results: Participants were 141 type 2 diabetic men [55 ± 8 years] and 100 healthy controls [53 ± 7 years]. BMD measurements were not statistically different between the groups. While iPTH [p < 0.05] and serum calcium levels [p = 0.03] were higher in men with type 2 DM; beta-CrossLaps [p = 0.0001], osteocalcin [p = 0.005], and free testosterone [p = 0.04] were lower than controls. The differences in terms of the frequencies of VDR Apa, Taq, Bsm, Fok and ER-alpha polymorphisms were not statistically significant between the groups. No relationship was observed between polymorphisms and BMD in both groups. Conclusions: VDR and ER-alpha gene polymorphisms seem to have no effect on BMD and bone turnover in men with DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Denosumab leads to improvements in BMD levels and is a well-tolerated agent according to results of randomized controlled studies but results in real-life setting are important to evaluate drug adherence and real-life efficiency. In this study, we present the results of 305 patients that were treated with denosumab in our clinic. Introduction: The long-term efficacy of anti-osteoclastic drugs in treatment of osteoporosis is well known. Denosumab, a novel human monoclonal antibody, is an anti-osteoclastic agent that has been shown to lead to reductions in vertebral, nonvertebral, and hip fracture risk in randomized and observational studies. Real-life data of this agent is increasing. In this study, we presented our real-life data about the 2-year follow-up of patients under denosumab treatment. Methods: Osteoporotic patients who were treated with at least one denosumab injection between 2014 and 2020 years were included. Clinical and demographic data, bone turnover markers, and radiological reports (bone mineral densitometry (BMD), vertebral x-ray) were obtained from patient files retrospectively. Results: A total of 305 patients (f/m: 275/30, 68.1 ± 11.05 years) were included. The median injection number was 4 (1–10). Two hundred seventy-three patients (89.8%) were persistent on treatment at the 12th month; 175 patients (57.3%) were persistent at 24th month. Sixty-eight patients (22%) were not using denosumab anymore, 55 of the patients were not continuing by doctor desicion and 13 were not continuing due to patient-related causes. Median BMD levels significantly increased from 0.809 (0.2–1.601, IQR: 0.136) to 0.861 (0.517–1.607, IQR: 0.14) in L1–L4 and from 0.702 (0.349–0.997, IQR: 0.125) to 0.745 (0.508–1.008, IQR: 0.137) in femur area at the 24th month of treatment. An improvement of 8.04% in L1–L4 BMD and 4.5% in femur neck BMD levels at the 24th month of treatment was observed. There was a significant decrease in bone turnover markers at the 24th month of treatment. Conclusion: In our group of patients under denosumab treatment, 53% of persistence was found at 24 months and associated with improvement in BMD levels without any significant side effects except one case with urticarial reaction. Denosumab leads to improvements in BMD levels and is a well-tolerated agent in a real-life setting comparable to results of randomized controlled studies in patients with different comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The total number of older adults in Turkey is striking, amounting to around 8 million, and this translates into considerably higher numbers of cases of osteoporosis (OP) and fractures in older adults. In this article, we outlined the current situation of OP in older adults in Turkey and investigated the differences between Turkey and a representative developed European country (Belgium), in terms of the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of OP. Our intention in this regard was to identify areas in need of improvement and subsequently to make a clear call for action to address these issues. Methods: Herein, considering the steps related to the OP approach, we made a complete review of the studies conducted in Turkey and compared with the literature recommendations. Results: There is a need for a national osteoporotic fracture registry; measures should be taken to improve the screening and treatment of OP in older males, such as educational activities; technicians involved in dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning should undergo routine periodic training; all DXA centers should identify center-specific least significant change values; all older adults should be considered for routine lateral dorsolumbar X-ray imaging for the screening of vertebral fractures while ordering DXA scans; the inclusion of vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) software in DXA assessments should be considered; screening using a fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) algorithm that is specific to Turkey should be integrated; the fortification of foods with vitamin D is required; the high fracture risk by country-specific FRAX algorithm and the presence of falls/high fall risk should be integrated in reimbursement terms; and finally, more "fracture liaison services" should be established. Conclusion: We suggest that the practical consideration of our suggestions will provide considerable support to the efforts for combating with the adverse consequences of OP in society. This approach can be subsequently modeled for other populations to improve the management of OP globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Vitamin D intake over the recommended dose is usually associated with high serum 25(OH)D levels and generally not associated with symptoms of hypercalcemia. High doses of cholecalciferol need to be avoided to protect against vitamin D toxicity and related complications. Strict adherence to the clinical guidelines for treating vitamin D deficiency can ensure safe and effective treatment. Purpose: We observed a tendency to use high doses of cholecalciferol for vitamin D deficiency treatment or vitamin D supplementation. We aimed to determine the biochemical characteristics of patients with high normal and elevated serum 25(OH)D levels. Methods: An online invitation was sent to all tertiary endocrinology clinics in Turkey to complete an online retrospective survey (DeVIT-TOX Survey) for patients diagnosed with high serum 25(OH)D levels (> 88 ng/mL) between January 2019 and December 2019. The patients were evaluated according to the presence of signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia and doses of vitamin D intake, evaluated into the following three groups according to their 25(OH)D levels: group 1, > 150 ng/mL; group 2, 149–100 ng/mL; and group 3, 99–88 ng/mL. Results: A total of 253 patients were included in the final analysis (female/male: 215/38; mean age, 51.5 ± 15.6 years). The average serum 25(OH)D level was 119.9 ± 33 (range, 88–455) ng/mL, and the average serum calcium level was 9.8 ± 0.7 (range, 8.1–13.1) mg/dL. Most (n = 201; 75.4%) patients were asymptomatic despite having high serum 25(OH)D and calcium levels. The serum 25(OH)D level was significantly higher in the symptomatic groups than in the asymptomatic groups (138.6 ± 64 ng/mL vs. 117.7 ± 31 ng/mL, p < 0.05). The most common cause (73.5%) associated with high serum 25(OH)D levels was the inappropriate prescription of a high dose of oral vitamin D (600.000–1.500.000 IU) for treating vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in a short time (1–3 months). The cut-off value of 25 (OH) D level in patients with hypercalcemia was found to be 89 ng/mL [median 116.5 (89–216)]. Conclusions: High dose of vitamin D intake is associated with a high serum 25 OH D level, without symptoms of hypercalcemia. Inappropriate prescription of vitamin D is the primary cause for elevated 25(OH) D levels and related hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia may not be observed in every patient at very high 25(OH) D levels. Adherence to the recommendation of guidelines is essential to ensure safe and effective treatment of vitamin D deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: An 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. Design: Case–control study. Patients and measurements: Seventy 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. Results: The prevalence of vertebral fractures was higher in acromegalic patients as compared with the control group (72.9 vs. 20%; p < 0.001). Serum phosphate (P) levels (3.46 ± 0.59 mg/dl vs. 3.11 ± 0.44 mg/dl; p < 0.001) and b-cross laps (CTx) levels (0.47 µg/l, range 0.04–2.38 vs. 0.28 µg/l, range 0.11–0.80; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in acromegaly patients than control subjects. Serum sclerostin levels were similar between either acromegaly patients and control subjects or acromegaly patients with VF and without VF. In the means of treatment modality, VFs were more frequent in patients treated with adjuvant gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) (p = 0.07). In the binary logistic regression analysis, the age of the acromegaly patients, the presence of hypogonadism, and GKS treatment were the factors significantly correlated with the occurrence of spinal fractures. Conclusions: The prevalence of VFs in patients with acromegaly is higher than in control subjects. Since advanced age, the presence of hypogonadism and GKS treatment were the factors predicting VFs in acromegaly; radiological evaluations should be considered as an emerging tool especially in those patients. Although markers of bone turnover elevated in acromegaly, they were not useful for the prediction of fractures. Serum sclerostin levels showed no discrepancy between the two groups and further studies are required for assessment of sclerostin role in this form of secondary osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the prevalence of Cushing's syndrome (CS) in class 3 obese patients before bariatric surgery. Materials and Methods: The data of 1037 class 3 obese patients admitted to the endocrinology outpatient clinic for endocrinological evaluation before bariatric surgery between 2012 and 2019were reviewed retrospectively. One milligram dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was used for the evaluation of hypercortisolism in all cases and cutoff accepted as 1.8 μg/dL. Results: The mean body mass index (BMI) was 48 ± 8.9 kg/m2 and age was 42 ± 10 years with female preponderance (F/M: 799/238] being observed in this cohort. Insufficient cortisol suppression was found in 40 patients; confirmed hypercortisolemia was detected in 8 patients. The prevalence of pathologic DST was 3.85% and 0.77% in confirmed hypercortisolism. The specificity for 1-mg DST with the cutoff 1.8 μg/dL was calculated as 96.8%. Conclusion: Hypercortisolism prevalence was found to be low, and 1 mg DST is a sufficient test for the screening of CS in class 3 obese patients evaluated before bariatric surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]