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The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the development of acute infectious illness named COVID-19. While most people have a mild course of the disease, a significant minority of patients will develop some degree of respiratory insufficiency requiring hospitalization. In case of failure of conventional oxygen therapy, the method of choice in patients with respiratory insufficiency is ventilation with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC). In order to reduce the dispersion of infectious aerosol during HFNC treatment, nasal cannula is often covered with a surgical mask in many hospitals. According to recent observations, the application of a surgical mask in these patients could also have a positive effect on oxygenation parameters without clinically relevant side effects. In the present set of case reports, we demonstrate this effective, simple and affordable way how to improve oxygenation in patients with COVID-19 and hypoxemic respiratory failure treated with HFNC.

Osteoporosis-related fractures are undertreated, due in part to misinformation about recommended approaches to patient care and discrepancies among treatment guidelines. To help bridge this gap and improve patient outcomes, the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research assembled a multistakeholder coalition to develop clinical recommendations for the optimal prevention of secondary fracture among people aged 65 years and older with a hip or vertebral fracture. The coalition developed 13 recommendations (7 primary and 6 secondary) strongly supported by the empirical literature. The coalition recommends increased communication with patients regarding fracture risk, mortality and morbidity outcomes, and fracture risk reduction. Risk assessment (including fall history) should occur at regular intervals with referral to physical and/or occupational therapy as appropriate. Oral, intravenous, and subcutaneous pharmacotherapies are efficacious and can reduce risk offuture fracture. Patients need education, however, about the benefits and risks of both treatment and not receiving treatment. Oral bisphosphonates alendronate and risedronate are first-line options and are generally well tolerated; otherwise, intravenous zoledronic acid and subcutaneous denosumab can be considered. Anabolic agents are expensive but may be beneficial for selected patients at high risk. Optimal duration of pharmacotherapy is unknown but because the riskfor second fractures is highest in the early post-fracture period, prompt treatment is recommended. Adequate dietary or supplemental vitamin D and calcium intake should be assured. Individuals being treated for osteoporosis should be reevaluated for fracture risk routinely, including via patient education about osteoporosis and fractures and monitoring foradverse treatment effects. Patients should be strongly encouraged to avoid tobacco, consume alcohol in moderation at most, and engage in regular exercise and fall prevention strategies. Finally, referral to endocrinologists or other osteoporosis specialists may be warranted for individuals who experience repeated fracture or bone loss and those with complicating comorbidities (eg, hyperparathyroidism, chronic kidney disease). (c) 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. (Less)

Osteoporosis-related fractures are undertreated, due in part to misinformation about recommended approaches to patient care and discrepancies among treatment guidelines. To help bridge this gap and improve patient outcomes, the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research assembled a multistakeholder coalition to develop clinical recommendations for the optimal prevention of secondary fractureamong people aged 65 years and older with a hip or vertebral fracture. The coalition developed 13 recommendations (7 primary and 6 secondary) strongly supported by the empirical literature. The coalition recommends increased communication with patients regarding fracture risk, mortality and morbidity outcomes, and fracture risk reduction. Risk assessment (including fall history) should occur at regular intervals with referral to physical and/or occupational therapy as appropriate. Oral, intravenous, andsubcutaneous pharmacotherapies are efficaciousandcanreduce risk of future fracture.Patientsneededucation,however, about thebenefitsandrisks of both treatment and not receiving treatment. Oral bisphosphonates alendronate and risedronate are first-line options and are generally well tolerated; otherwise, intravenous zoledronic acid and subcutaneous denosumab can be considered. Anabolic agents are expensive butmay be beneficial for selected patients at high risk.Optimal duration of pharmacotherapy is unknown but because the risk for second fractures is highest in the earlypost-fractureperiod,prompt treatment is recommended.Adequate dietary or supplemental vitaminDand calciumintake shouldbe assured. Individuals beingtreatedfor osteoporosis shouldbe reevaluated for fracture risk routinely, includingvia patienteducationabout osteoporosisandfracturesandmonitoringfor adverse treatment effects.Patients shouldbestronglyencouraged to avoid tobacco, consume alcohol inmoderation atmost, and engage in regular exercise and fall prevention strategies. Finally, referral to endocrinologists or other osteoporosis specialists may be warranted for individuals who experience repeated fracture or bone loss and those with complicating comorbidities (eg, hyperparathyroidism, chronic kidney disease).

Osteoporosis is an increasingly widespread disease, as well as diabetes mellitus. It is now accepted that osteoporotic fractures are a serious co-morbidity and complication of diabetes. Despite of good bone mineral density in Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) patients is the fracture risk elevated. It is due to reduced bone quality. To determine the effect of glycemic compensation on bone density and trabecular bone score (TBS) in T2DM. We analyzed a cohort of 105 postmenopausal women with T2DM. For all patients, central bone density (spinal and lumbar spine) was tested by DXA methodology, glycemic control parameters were assessed, and anthropometric parameters were measured. Bone quality was analyzed using TBS software. The results were statistically processed. Good glycemic compensation with glycated hemoglobin (A1c) value

Patients with diabetes mellitus are at an increased risk of bone fractures. Several groups of effective antidiabetic drugs are available, which are very often given in combination. The effects of these medications on bone metabolism and fracture risk must not be neglected. Commonly used antidiabetic drugs might have a positive, neutral or negative impact on skeletal health. Increased risk of fracture has been identified with use of thiazolidinediones, most definitively in women. Also treatment with sulfonylureas can have adverse effects on bone. One consequence of these findings has been greater attention to fracture outcomes in trails of new diabetes medication (incretins and SGLT-2 inhibitors). The effect of insulin on bone is discussed and the risk of fractures in patients using insulin seems to be unrelated to insulin as itself. The aim of the review is to summarize effects of antidiabetic treatment on bone – bone mineral density, fractures and bone turnover markers. The authors also try to recommend a strategy how to treat patients with diabetes mellitus regarding the risk of osteoporotic fractures. In this review the problem of how to treat osteoporosis in patient with diabetes is also discussed.

Introduction Impaired bone microarchitecture is involved in vertebral fracture (VF) development among acromegaly patients. Aim of the study Comparison of DXA-derived bone parameters, areal BMD (aBMD), trabecular bone score (TBS) and 3D-SHAPER parameters in acromegaly patients with healthy controls. Methods This cross-sectional study evaluated acromegaly patients and a control group of healthy subjects. In all subjects, a single measurement of pituitary axis hormone levels, bone turnover markers, aBMD, (total hip (TH) and lumbar spine (LS)), TBS and 3D-SHAPER of the proximal femur region was performed. All subjects underwent DXA assessment of VF using the semiquantitative approach. Results One hundred six patients with acromegaly (mean age 56.6 years, BMI 30.2 kg/m2) and 104 control subjects (mean age 54.06 years, 28.4 BMI kg/m2) were included. After adjustment for weight, LS aBMD, TBS and TH trabecular volumetric BMD (vBMD) remained lower (P = 0.0048, P = 0.006) in acromegaly patients compared with controls. The best multivariate model (model 1) discriminating patients with and without acromegaly included TBS, TH trabecular vBMD and TH Cth parameters (all P Conclusions Acromegaly patients, regardless of VF presence, have lower trabecular bone quantitative parameters, but those with VFs had decreased cortical density.

The immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D and its potential in prevention and treatment of acute respiratory infections have long been of interest to many scientific teams around the world. Several meta-analyses in the last 10 years have confirmed the protective (albeit of modest size) effect of vitamin D against respiratory infections. Because of many overlapping risk factors for vitamin D deficiency and severe COVID-19 infection, many experts believe that vitamin D supplementation could play an important role in prevention and treatment of the new coronavirus disease. Based on available data on the immunological action of vitamin D, it is possible that vitamin D could modulate the bodys response to SARS-CoV-2 infection both in the early viraemic phase and in later hyperinflammatory phase typical for the severe course of the disease. The first available data from epidemiological studies suggest that low serum vitamin D levels are associated with increased susceptibility to the new coronavirus infection as well as with severe course of the disease.

Context Recent studies suggest that cortical bone could also play a role in vertebral fracture (VF) development in acromegaly. Objective Evaluate the occurrence of VFs and their relationship to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry–derived bone parameters. Methods A single-center 2-year prospective study of acromegaly patients was conducted. Each subject had L1-4 spine, femoral neck and total hip (TH) areal BMD measured using DXA, and trabecular bone score (TBS) measurement performed. 3D Shaper™ was used to assess proximal femur trabecular and cortical volumetric (v)BMD, cortical surface (s)BMD, and cortical thickness (Cth). VF assessment was performed using the lateral spine imaging IVA™ mode with a Hologic Horizon® densitometer using a semiquantitative approach. Study outcomes were assessed at 2 time points: baseline and month 24. Results 70 acromegaly patients (34 M/36F; average 55.1 years) were studied, including 26 with active disease. In 13 patients, 9 with controlled disease, VF was observed. A decrease in TBS, sBMD, neck trabecular vBMD, TH, and neck cortical vBMD in VF compared with non-VF subjects was observed (P Conclusion From the total number of 13 VF subjects, 9 were in the controlled disease group. The most sensitive and specific predictor of incident VF was TH cortical vBMD, suggesting that cortical bone is involved in fracture development.

Introduction: Adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is associated with lower bone mass and likely with increased risk of fragility fractures. GH replacement leads to increase in bone mineral density (BMD).However, only few studies longer than 2 years exist. Aim: To assess long-term effect of recombinant GH replacement on BMD and bone turnover markers duringperiod of 8 years. Patients & Methods: Prospective follow-up of all (N=63) AGHD patients at one single center. All patients with adult GHD followed at single center. All participants were replaced with daily injection of recombinant human (rh) GH in IGF-1 normalizing regimen according to Endocrine Society Guidelines. Every 2 years, lumbar spine (L-spine) and total hip (TH) BMD using dual X-ray absorptiometry on Hologic Discovery device, was assessed. All patients were assessed for bone turnover markers; carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (CTx) and osteocalcin (OC), and 25(OH)D levels. Deficiencies of other pituitary axes were treated if necessary. All patients were supplemented with 800 IU /day of cholecalciferol and 1000-1200mg/day of calcium as recommended by International Osteoporosis Foundation. Results: Study group consisted of 38 males and 25 females (35 with adult onset (AO) /28 with childhood onset (CO); mean age at diagnosis 25,1 yrs) AGHD patients. All patients ended 8 years follow-up period without any treatment discontinuation during this period. Treatment was well tolerated, without any serious adverse event. IGF-1 has reached the normal ranges during first 6 months and remains normal during whole study period documenting good adherence to treatment (average dose of rhGH=0,4 mg/day). Both, L-spine and TH BMD increased significantly after 8 years of GH replacement (+8 % for L-spine BMD, +7,7% for TH BMD, both p

Chemokine CX3CL1 (fractalkine) may be an important factor linking thyroid status and bone remodeling, through tetrac, a derivative of thyroxine. This study explores the relationship between serum fractalkine levels and parameters of thyroid status and bone in premenopausal women with Graves’ disease (GD) in comparison to healthy controls. This cross-sectional study included three premenopausal female groups: active GD; cured GD, and healthy age-, gender-, and BMI-matched controls. Measurement of serum fractalkine levels (Quantikine® ELISA), total amino-terminal peptide of procollagen type 1 (P1NP), CTx, thyroid hormones, BMD and trabecular bone score (TBS) were performed in all study subjects. Sixty women (21, 16, and 23 in active GD, cured GD, and healthy control groups, respectively) were included. Serum fractalkine levels were higher (p

This article is focused on endocrine-mediated osteoporosis caused by growth hormone (GH) disorders; adult GH deficiency and acromegaly. GH and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) stimulate linear bone growth through complex hormonal interactions and activates epiphyseal prechondrocytes. GH, via receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB (RANK), its ligand (RANK-L), and the osteoprotegerin system, stimulates production of osteoprotegerin and its accumulation in bone matrix. Malfunction of this mechanism, could lead to specific bone impairment. However, the primary problem of bone disease in GH secretion disorders is the primary prevention of osteoporotic fractures, so it is important to determine bone quality that better reflects the patient's actual predisposition to fracture. A method estimating bone quality from lumbar spine dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans is trabecular bone score (TBS). TBS in addition to bone mineral density (BMD) is a promising predictor of the osteoporotic fracture risk in women with postmenopausal osteopenia. In acromegaly TBS better defines risk of fracture because BMD is normal or even increased. TBS helps to monitor the effect of growth hormone therapy. Despite these findings, TBS shouldn´t be used alone, but a comprehensive consideration of all fracture risk factors, BMD and bone turnover markers is necessary.

Vitamin D is important in bone health. However, potential relationships of concomitant vitamin D deficiency with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and the possibility that vitamin D inadequacy may alter the skeletal effects of growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy have not been adequately evaluated.A prospective study was conducted in adult-onset GHD patients treated with recombinant human GH (rhGH) for 2 years. Trabecular bone score (TBS), lumbar spine (LS) bone mineral density (BMD), total hip (TH) BMD, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were assessed at baseline and 24 months. The study cohort was divided based on 25(OH)D levels into 2 groups with the cutoff defined as the 50(th) percentile at each follow-up time point.Fifty-seven patients (29 males/28 females, mean age 34.4 years) were studied. After 24 months of GH replacement, LS BMD increased by 7.6% and TH BMD increased by 4.5% (both P.05), with no difference according to 25(OH)D levels. TBS increased (+1.39 ± 3.6%) in those whose 25(OH)D was above the 50(th) percentile but decreased (-1.36 ± 5.6%, P.05) in the cohort below the 50(th) percentile of 25(OH)D. Positive correlations were observed between baseline levels of IGF-1 and 25(OH)D (R = 0.37, P.001) and between 24-month 25(OH)D and TBS (R = 0.25, P.05).A differential effect of GH on TBS change was observed; TBS increased only in the cohort with 25(OH)D above the 50(th) percentile. Vitamin D sufficiency may be required to obtain optimal effects of GH treatment on bone quality, as assessed by TBS, in GHD adults.AO-GHD = adult-onset GHD BMD = bone mineral density BMI = body mass index Ca = calcium CTx = carboxyterminal collagen crosslinks CV = coefficient of variation DXA = dual energy X-ray absorptiometry ECLIA = enzyme-labeled chemiluminescent immunometric assay GH = growth hormone GHD = growth hormone deficiency IGF-1 = insulin-like growth factor 1 LS BMD = lumbar spine BMD OC = osteocalcin 25(OH)D = 25-hydroxyvitamin D P = phosphorus PTH = parathyroid hormone rhGH = recombinant human GH TBS = trabecular bone score TH BMD = total hip BMD.

Growth hormone (GH) increases linear bone growth through complex hormonal reactions, mainly mediated by insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF1) that is produced mostly by hepatocytes under influence of GH and stimulates differentiation of epiphyseal prechondrocytes. IGF1 and GH play a key role in the linear bone growth after birth and regulation of bone remodelation during the entire lifespan. It is known that adult GH deficient (GHD) patients have decreased BMD and increased risk of low-impact fractures. Most data gathered thus far on the effect of GH replacement on bone status comprise the measurement of quantitative changes of bone mass. Some animal studies with GHD showed that the bone microarchitecture, measured using computed tomography methods, is significantly compromised and improve after GH replacement. However, human studies did not show significantly decreased bone microarchitecture, but limited methodological quality does not allow firm conclusions on this subject.Key words: bone mass - bone quality - fracture - growth hormone - IGF1.

The impact of acromegaly on bone and the risk of fractures has not been sufficiently investigated. GH hypersecretion stimulates bone turnover, leading to an increase in bone turnover markers. Normal or even increased bone mineral density (BMD) in comparison to healthy controls have been reported, but there are some works where decreased BMD was observed among acromegaly patients with hypogonadism, particularly at lumbar spine. Less pronounced effect of GH overproduction was observed at the femoral neck, as explained by the positive effect of hypersecretion on the cortical bone (due to periosseal ossification). Several studies have documented morphometric vertebral fractures (VF) in 1/3 of acromegaly patients. The major risk factors leading to the development of VF include hypogonadism, diabetes mellitus and previous VF. Because the risk of fractures does not correlate with BMD most of the studies are currently focused on bone quality, bone strength and microstructure.Key words: bone microstructure - growth hormone - IGF1 - vertebral fractures.

Little is known about the clinical relevance of treating post-menopausal women with no prior history of fragility fracture and bone mineral densities (BMD) within the osteopenic range. In recent years, in addition to BMD and FRAX fracture probability assessments, a surrogate measure of bone micro-architecture quality, called the trabecular bone score (TBS), has been proven to predict future fragility fractures independently of both BMD and the FRAX. In this retrospective analysis of a follow-up study, we compared three risk assessment instruments-the FRAX, the TBS, and a TBS-adjusted FRAX score-in their ability, to predict future fragility fractures over a minimum of five years of follow-up among post-menopausal osteopenic women with no prior fragility fractures. We also sought to determine if more- versus less-stringent criteria were better when stratifying patients into higher-risk patients warranting osteoporosis-targeted intervention versus lower-risk patients in whom intervention would usually be deemed unnecessary. Over a mean 5.2 years follow-up, 18 clinical fragility fractures were documented among 127 women in the age 50 years and older (mean age = 66.1). On multivariate analysis utilizing regression models and Kaplan-Meier curve analysis, less-stringent criteria for the FRAX and TBS-adjusted FRAX were capable of predicting future fractures (with sensitivity/specificity of 83/31; 39/77 and 78/50% for TBS, FRAX and TBS-adjusted FRAX, respectively), while more-stringent criteria were incapable of doing so (with sensitivity/specificity of 56/60; 39/77 and 39/74 for TBS, FRAX and TBS-adjusted FRAX, respectively). Neither TBS threshold alone was a significant predictor of future fracture in our study. However, hazard ratio analysis revealed slight superiority of the TBS-adjusted FRAX over the FRAX alone (HR = 3.09 vs. 2.79). Adjusting the FRAX tool by incorporating the TBS may be useful to optimize the detection of post-menopausal osteopenic women with no prior fractures who warrant osteoporosis-targeted therapy.

Background The purpose of this study was to assess changes in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of nervus medianus by ultrasound in newly diagnosed primary hypothyroid patients after thyroxine replacement treatment. Patients and methods The cohort comprised 30 patients with newly diagnosed primary autoimmune hypothyroidism. These were subsequently compared with 30 controls, matched for sex, BMI and age. Ultrasound evaluation, including measurement of CSA at the level of the pisiform bone or tunnel inlet was performed at baseline and after 3months. A CSA threshold of more than 10mm2 was considered pathological. Results CSA was increased in patients compared with controls (9.8±0.7mm2 vs 7.2±1.1mm2; P4 levels (baseline, 11.0±0.6pmol/L vs 15.5±0.4pmol/L; PP2±0.3mm2 (P=0.033). Before treatment, four patients experienced distal paresthesia in the median nerve distribution area. Increased CSA pathognomonic for carpal tunnel syndrome found in two symptomatic patients normalized after 3months. No clinical symptoms were observed after 3months. A positive correlation was found between TSH and CSA (R=0.155, P=0.05) before treatment. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that increase in median nerve CSA caused by primary autoimmune hypothyroidism can be fully reversible after achieving target levels of TSH and fT4.

Articular involvement in acromegaly is one of the most frequent clinical complications and may be present as the earliest symptom in a significant proportion of patients. The involvement of other organs may be of clinical importance and contribute to increased morbidity and mortality of patients suffering from acromegaly. Early diagnosis and proper treatment of the diseases can prevent the development of irreversible complications of the disease and improve the quality of life in patients suffering from the disease.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy on the morphological and functional changes in the left ventricle (LV) in patients with GH deficiency (GHD). Patients with adult-onset GHD were treated with GH. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of the treatment. Interventricular septal thickness (IVST), posterior wall thickness (PWT), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular mass (LVM), stroke volume (SV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were evaluated at echocardiography, and the values at respective time points were compared by a paired t-test. In addition, a gender-stratified analysis was performed. A total of 45 patients (21 men, 24 women; age: 19–61 years) with GHD were included. At 6 months, only increased PWT (+ 0.2 mm; P = 0.044) was significantly changed compared with baseline. At 12 months of the replacement therapy, statistically significant increase in LVM (+ 8.6 g; P = 0.035) and improvement of LVEF (+ 1.4 %; P = 0.005) were seen. In men, significantly higher values of IVST, PWT, LVEDD, LVEDV, SV and LVM were found at 12 months of follow-up, while no such effect was observed in women. A mild increase in LVM and improvement of LVEF accompanies long-term GH replacement therapy. The effect on LV morphology is more pronounced in men than in women.

Introduction Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD). GH replacement has positive effect on BMD but the magnitude of this effect and its mechanism are debated. Objectives The objectives of this study was first, to assess the effect of GH replacement on BMD, and second, to evaluate the effect of GH treatment on bone turnover and microarchitecture and to assess the factors influencing the effect of the therapy on BMD. Patients and Methods Adult GHD (AO-GHD) and childhood onset GHD (CO-GHD) patients treated with GH using IGF-I normalization GH replacement regimen were prospectively followed during 2years. Lumbar spine (L1–L4) and total femur BMD by Hologic discovery, in the subset of patients also bone turnover markers; osteocalcin and carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (CTx) were assessed at baseline and at months 3, 6, 12 and 24, respectively. The trabecular bone score (TBS) derived from lumbar spine DXA by the iNsight® software was assessed in a subset of study population at baseline and months 12 and 24. Results In total, 147 GHD patients (age 35.1years, 84 males/63 females, 43 of childhood onset GHD/104 AO-GHD) were included. BMD of lumbar spine and femur increased significantly during the treatment (14% and 7% increase at 2years, respectively; p Bone markers increased during the first 12months of treatment with subsequent decrease of CTx. At month 24, significant increase in TBS was observed (4%, p =0.02). BMD increase was significantly higher in males (15% increase in males vs. 10% in females, p =0.037) and childhood onset GHD (CO-GHD) patients (13% increase in CO-GHD, p =0.004). Conclusion GH supplementation leads to an increase of BMD with corresponding changes in bone turnover markers and changes in microarchitecture as assessed by trabecular bone score. Positive effect of GH on bone status is more pronounced in males and CO-GHD adults.

Acromegaly is caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) and consequently of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) due to pituitary tumor. Other causes, such as increased growth-hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) production, ectopic GHRH production, and ectopic GH secretion, are rare. Growth hormone and IGF-1 play a role in the regulation of bone metabolism, but accurate effect of growth hormone excess on bone is not fully explained. The issue of osteoarticular manifestations is still very actual, due to development of complications in the majority of patients with acromegaly. Traditionally, acromegaly is considered as a cause of secondary osteoporosis. Nowadays, it is discussed if BMD as predictor of osteoporotic fractures in acromegalic patient is decreased or even normal. Thus, bone quality remains to be more important in assessment of fracture risk. GH excess leads to increased bone turnover, defined by changes of bone markers. The articular manifestations are frequent clinical complications and may be present as the earliest symptom in a significant proportion of acromegalic patients. Articular manifestations are the main causes of morbidity and immobility of these patients, and they are persistent even after successful treatment. Quick recognition of osteoarticular changes and aiming the therapy lead to decrease in complication number.

Background A bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is relatively commonly connected to hypothyroidism and presents in 5 to 10% of hypothyroid patients. Ultrasound imaging is a method of choice in early recognition of dynamic changes of median nerve in subclinical stages of CTS. Objectives Monitoring of ultrasound detectable changes of median nerve in transverse section level of carpal tunnel in patients with autoimmune hypothyroidisms. Methods A cross sectional comparative study on patients with autoimunne hypothyroidism, where transverse section breadth of median nerve in its entrance to carpal tunnel (Cross Sectional Area, CSA) was measured. CSA values over 0,098cm2 were considered abnormal according to American Journal of Roentgenology. Values were compared with the control group of healthy subjects based on gender and BMI. Difference between groups were statistically evaluated by unpaired T-test. Results Totally of 38 patients (mean age 64,68 yrs, 10 males/28 females, mean BMI 25,37 kg/m2, mean TSH 6,23 mU/l, fT4 15,28 pmol/l) were included in the study. The control group consists of 24 subjects (mean age 48,54 yrs, 13 males/11 females, BMI 25,00 kg/m2, mean TSH 1,54 mU/l, mean fT4 15,58 pmol/l). CSA was significantly higher in patients (mean 0.088 cm2) in comparison with controls (mean 0.071 cm2, p=0,002). In 3 hypothyroid patients pathological increase of CSA (mean 0,1 3cm2,7.8%) were presenting symptomatology. Conclusions Ultrasound findings have documented occurrence of subclinical and clinical CTS in patients with primary hypothyroidism. If CTS occurs, the thyroidal status should be evaluated to exclude possible hypothyroidism. Ultrasound examination of CSA enables the treatment effect monitoring in soft tissue structures in carpal tunnel area and it is an appropriate method for a long term evaluation of hypothyroid patients with this complication. Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3319