Hormonal and bone parameters in pubertal girls.

Here we analyzed associations between muscles mass, total bone mineral content (BMC), lumbar spine bone density (BMD L1-L4) and serum or urine hormones in healthy peripubertal girls. Total BMC and areal BMD L1-L4, muscle mass and fat were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Muscle force (N) was estimated by a dynamometer. Circulating estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), 25-hydroxy vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), leptin, osteocalcin, bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (bALP) and total calcium and phosphorus were quantified as the nocturnal melatonin and serotonin urinary excretion. Partial correlations adjusted for height, Tanner score and physical activity confirmed positive relationships between BMC or BMD L1-L4 (Z-score) and lean mass or fat. Furthermore, positive relationship was observed between BMC or BMD L1-L4 (Z-score) and serum leptin. After adjustment for Tanner score and physical activity, positive associations were observed between lean mass and IGF-1, leptin levels or muscle force. We proved positive relationships between bone mass and serum leptin in peripubertal girls.

[The assessment of body composition using DEXA in patients with thyroid dysfunction]. / Telesné slození merené pomoci DXA u pacientu s tyroidální dysfunkcí.

BACKGROUND: Disturbed thyroid function is accompanied with weight changes in most of patients. Less is known how the therapy of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism influences their body composition. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated 18 persons with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism (group I), 15 persons with newly diagnosed hypothyroidism (group II), 22 persons with long-lasting well-controlled primary hypothyroidism (group II) and 17 persons with history of cured hyperthyroidism (group IV). Body composition, including percentage of body fat, was examined with Dual energy absorptiometry method (DXA; GE Lunar prodigy). There was no significant difference in age, BMI, and % of body fat between groups. Group I had mean levels of free T4: 43.1+/-20.1 pmol/L, and TSH 0.03+/-0.05 mU/L. Mean values of TSH 28.55+/-20.64 mU/L and free T4 5.94+/-2.27 pmol/L were in accordance with the diagnosis of untreated hypothyroidism in group II. Thyroid function in groups III and IV was within normal limits. The mean weight gain in group I was 3.9 kg and their BMI increased from 25.78+/-3.73 kg/m(2) to 27.36+4.03 kg/m(2) after the therapy (p=0.023). BMI has not changed significantly in group II after the normalization of thyroid function, nor in group II and III. A significant parallel increase in the total body fat (26737+/-6993 g vs. 31277+/-8735 g), (p=0.0078) as well as in lean mass (43936+/-9886 g vs 51065+/-9501 g) (p= 0.0156) was observed only in group I after therapy. There was no increase in percentage of body fat (38.04+/-8.6% vs.38.0+/-9.8%) (NS). The body composition did not changed in the other patients treated during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Normalization of thyroid function of newly diagnosed hyperthyroid patients caused the parallel increase in their fat mass and lean body mass, assed with DXA. Percentage of fat mass did not change significantly after the treatment. Correction of hypothyroidism did not lead to the body composition changes; patients did not show any weight loss either.

Calcaneal ultrasonometry in patients with Charcot osteoarthropathy and its relationship with densitometry in the lumbar spine and femoral neck and with markers of bone turnover.

AIMS: To assess calcaneal ultrasonometry in Charcot osteoarthropathy (CO) and to compare it with densitometry measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and with bone remodelling markers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A group of 16 diabetic patients in the acute stage of CO with a mean age (+/- SD) of 51 +/- 13 years was compared with 26 sex- and age-matched control subjects. Both calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameter stiffness and bone mineral density (BMD) measured in lumbar spine and femoral neck by DEXA were compared. Collagen type I cross-linked C-telopeptides (ICTP) were used for assessment of bone resorption. RESULTS: Patients with acute CO had significantly lower stiffness of the calcaneus in the Charcot and non-Charcot foot (both P < 0.001) and significantly lower femoral neck BMD (P < 0.05) in comparison with the control group. The T-score of stiffness was significantly lower in the Charcot foot compared with the non-Charcot foot (-3.00 +/- 1.39 vs. -2.36 +/- 1.12; P < 0.01) and significantly lower than the mean T-score of BMD in the lumbar spine (-0.57 +/- 1.28; P < 0.001) and femoral neck (-1.58 +/- 1.24; P < 0.05). A significant difference in ICTP (8.49 +/- 4.37 vs. 3.92 +/- 2.55 ng/ml; P < 0.001) between patients with CO and the control group was found, and a significant correlation was demonstrated between ICTP and the T-score of stiffness (r = -0.73; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The lower calcaneal QUS parameter stiffness in the Charcot foot in comparison with the control group, with the non-Charcot foot and with BMD in the lumbar spine and femoral neck, and its association with increased bone resorption indicate that calcaneal ultrasonometry may be useful in diagnosing the acute stage of CO and in assessing the risk of foot fracture. Diabet. Med. 18, 495-500 (2001)

[Osteopenia and osteoporosis in diabetic women over 40 years of age]. / Osteopenie a osteoporóza u diabetických zen ve veku nad 40 roku.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in postmenopausal diabetic females and its association with the diabetic compensation and angiopathic complications. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bone mineral density was measured in 156 diabetic females, 44 of them had type 1 diabetes mellitus (mean age 53 +/- 8.9 years) and 112 type 2 (mean age 60 +/- 9.2 years). In the lumbar spine and proximal femur the prevalence of osteoporosis varied between 9-11% and 18-20% respectively. The respective prevalence of osteopenia amounted 30-36% and 34-48%. No statistically significant differences were found between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Any association with diabetic compensation and the diabetic microangiopathic complications was not found. Only in females with osteoporosis the prevalence of cardiovascular heart disease was higher than in those with normal bone mineral density. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in postmenopausal diabetic women is similar to those in the common population of the respective age.

[CA 125 in the department of internal medicine--a marker of ovarian tumor, thoracic fluid or ascites?]. / CA 125 v podmínkách interního oddelení--marker ovariálního tumoru nebo fluidotoraxu ci ascitu?

The authors describe three cases of falsely elevated values of the tumour marker CA 125 which in medical practice is considered above all a sign of ovarian tumours. In one case CA 125 was elevated in fibrinopurulent pleuropneumonia and refractory ascites and in one instance haemorrhagic fluidothorax was involved associated with pleuritis and in one instance an abscess of the subhepatic region. From data in the literature ensues that this increase can be associated with activation of mesothelioma cells (either in the pleura or peritoneum) in non-malignant diseases. Therefore in patients with elevated CA 125 and fluidothorax or ascites, unless ovarian carcinoma is proved, this fact should be taken into account in diagnostic considerations.

[The role of D-dimer determination in clinical evaluation with pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy]. / Príspevek stanovení D-dimeru ke klinickému hodnocení perfuzní plicní scintigrafie.

The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is even in contemporary clinical practice problematical. Pulmonary angiography is used in our departments very little due to its invasive character. The method of choice for diagnosis remains therefore perfusion scintigraphy of the lungs, in this country frequently without ventilation scintigraphy as it is not available in the majority of our departments of nuclear medicine. In recent years in the diagnostic algorithms also assessment of D-dimers was started, i.e. assessment of products of fibrinolysis assessed by monoclonal antibodies. The authors tried to find out how many patients admitted to the medical department for diagnosis of pulmonary embolization may have a false positive diagnosis on the basis of pulmonary scintigraphy. During the period III/96 to V/96 a total of 18 patients from the medical clinic with suspected pulmonary embolism were examined where the value of D-dimers(latex test) was assessed and at the same time perfusion scintigraphy was performed. With regard to the highly negative predictive value of D-dimer assessment the authors focused their attention on patients with a suspect or positive lung scan (i.e. treated on account of pulmonary embolism) while D-dimers were negative. Of 13 patients with suspect or possible pulmonary embolism, as assessed by scintigraphy, four had negative dimers(30%). With regard to the 90% reported negative predictive value, based on the literature, thus three of these patients were unnecessarily admitted to hospital and treated. The authors assume that assessment of D-dimers should be part of the examination protocol due to its non-pretentious character and low price as compared with costs of hospitalization.

[Laterality differences in ultrasonic densitometry]. / Stranové rozdíly pri ultrazvukové denzitometrii.

The authors discuss lateral differences between heel bones during ultrasonic bone densitometry using the apparatus Achilles Lunar. While the mean values for the whole group are statistically insignificant (162 patients) in different parameters (SOS, BUA, stiffness) in one quarter of the patients the differences between the two extremities are greater than 9% which may be a source of errors when evaluating the state of the skeleton and when subsequently deciding on treatment.