OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine mean serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD), to find the cutoff of parathormone (PTH) elevation, and to evaluate the correlation 25OHD with BMD, biochemical parameters and vertebral fracture presence. METHODS: Transversal study, with collection of 25OHD and PTH, and determination of DMO and column radiograph. RESULTS: A high incidence of inadequate serum concentrations of 25OHD (68.3%) was found and 8% of secondary hyperparathyreoidism. No […]

Genetic and racial background, body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), diet, physical activity and life style help to explain the wide difference observed in the world prevalence and incidence of osteoporosis. Recently, a fracture assessment tool, named FRAXTM, was developed to integrate clinical risk factors (genetic and environmental conditions) and BMD, in order to quantify the ten-year probability of an osteoporotic fracture. Shortly, it will be used to indicate treatment for high risk patients. However, this tool is now available […]

OBJECTIVES: Verify the physical activity level (PAL), to what extent each body composition component and age influence bone density (BD). METHODS: Samples of 22 men and 42 women (21-51 years) classified with recommended and not recommended PAL for health. The femur’s BD measured using DXA. RESULTS: Using a analyzing the stepwise linear regression (p < .05), the age explained negatively BD for all groups, except men with recommended PAL. Among women group with not recommended PAL, the relative fat (%F) […]

Aging involves both nutritional and physiological changes, reducing fat-free mass (FFM) and increasing body fat, both of which are associated with physical weakness, unfitness and morbidity among the elderly. This study was undertaken to analyze the cross-validity of bioelectrical impedance equations for the prediction of fat-free mass (FFM) in elderly Brazilians. A cross-sectional population-based study, was performed in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, 2006. The study sample comprised 60 men and 120 women, aged 60 to 81. The dual energy X-ray […]

Tumoral hyperprolactinemia and consequent hypogonadism have been associated with osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy RX absorptiometry in 24 patients with prolactinoma (15 macro and 9 micro adenomas; age range = 18 to 49 years). Student unpaired t or Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare groups, and Spearman test studied correlations. Lumbar spine (LS) was the most affected, as LS Z-score was < -2 SD in 20.83% of the patients. No difference was found in densitometric parameters […]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of obesity, age, and years since menopause on bone density. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of bone mineral density (BMD) obtained from 588 women, 41 to 60 years, previously menopaused (1-10 years before). RESULTS: Positive influence of obesity was confirmed by the significant differences in BMD at lumbar spine, femoral neck (FN), and trochanter (TR) between the groups (p < 0.01). Age and years since menopause (YSM) were negatively correlated with BMD at all sites (p […]

Primary hyperparathyroidism often presents as an asymptomatic disorder. In our institution, routine serum calcium measurements have now been used as part of medical examination for 23 years. Out of 124 patients consecutively seen at our institution, 47% presented with no symptoms related to the disease, while 25% presented with severe skeletal involvement and osteitis fibrosa cystica, 25% with renal stone disease without overt bone involvement, and 2% with the typical neuropsychiatric syndrome. This same pattern is seen in the city […]

Vitamin D is essential for the maintenance of good health. Its sources can be skin production and diet intake. Most humans depend on sunlight exposure (UVB 290

Throughout the years evidence has been accumulated on the morbidity of hyperprolactinemia, particularly in terms of bone mineral density decrease. This complication of hyperprolactinemia affects both women and men. In this paper, we analyze aspects related to bone loss in men with hyperprolactinemia due to prolactinomas: prevalence, clinical relevance, physiopathology, diagnosis and the consequences of the treatment of hyperprolactinemia and hypogonadism on bone mineral density.