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Acromegalic osteopathy

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Abstract

Acromegalic osteopathy is an emerging complication of acromegaly characterized by increase in bone turnover, deterioration in bone microarchitecture and high risk of vertebral fractures. Vertebral fractures, as diagnosed by a radiological and morphometric approach, occur in about one-third of acromegaly patients in close relationship with duration of active disease. However, the prediction of vertebral fractures in this clinical setting is still a matter of uncertainty, since the pathogenesis of acromegalic osteopathy is multifactorial and fractures may occur even in presence of normal bone mineral density. In this narrative article, we summarize the pathophysiology and clinical aspects of acromegalic osteopathy.

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Acknowledgment

This study was partially supported by GIOSEG.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Endocrinology, University of Brescia, Via Biseo, 17, 25123, Brescia, Italy

    G. Mazziotti, F. Maffezzoni, S. Frara & A. Giustina

  2. Endocrinology Unit, ASST Carlo Poma of Mantua, Mantua, Italy

    G. Mazziotti

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  1. G. Mazziotti
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  2. F. Maffezzoni
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Correspondence to A. Giustina.

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G.M. received consultant fees from Novartis Farma and Ipsen and received lecture fee from Ipsen. A.G. is a consultant for Ipsen, Novartis, and Pfizer. F.M. and S.F. have nothing to disclose.

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Mazziotti, G., Maffezzoni, F., Frara, S. et al. Acromegalic osteopathy. Pituitary 20, 63–69 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11102-016-0758-6

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