Endocrine Abstracts

Patients with hyperprolactinemia have impaired bone metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD) partially represents bone’s health.

To evaluate vitamin D levels, PTH, Ca and P, BMD and bone morphometry in patients with prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas.

Forty-four patients (30 W, 40±11 years, BMI 27.6±5 kg/m²) underwent to lumbar and femoral DEXA, to vertebral morphometry by X-ray and was calculated the SDI (spinal deformity index), a surrogate method for the estimation of microarchitecture and bone quality. Forty-two age and BMI matched served as controls.

Vitamin D were lower in patients than in controls (24.1±10 ng/ml vs 30.4±14, P=0.018). Vitamin D deficiency was present in 39.5% (<20 ng/ml) vs 12% of controls (P<0.01), insufficiency in 32.6% (20–30 ng/ml) vs 32% (P=NS) and normal levels of vitamin D in 27.9 vs 56% (>30 ng/dl) in patients and controls (P<0.01). Lumbar spine T-score was −0.2±1 vs 0.11±1.15 in patients and in controls (P=NS) and −0.3±1.1 vs −0.16±0.5 (P=NS) at femoral neck. At lumbar spine 37.5% of patients had osteopenia and 56.3% had normal BMD while in controls 7.1% had osteoporosis, 45.2% osteopenia and 47.6% normal BMD. At femoral neck 3.4% of patients had osteoporosis, 31% osteopenia and 65.5% had a normal BMD, and in controls 7.1% showed osteopenia and 92.9% a normal BMD. The SDI was higher in patients than in controls (2±1 vs 0.4±0.2; P<0.01).

In hyperprolactinaemic patients vitamin D is lower than in controls; although BMD values are normal, our data seems to show that there is a higher prevalence of vertebral fractures and worse bone quality than expected by BMD values.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.