Inactivating PTH/PTHrP signaling disorders (iPPSDs): evaluation of the new classification in a multicenter large series of 544 molecularly characterized patients.

OBJECTIVE: Pseudohypoparathyroidism and related disorders belong to a group of heterogeneous rare diseases that share an impaired signaling downstream of Gsα-protein-coupled receptors. Affected patients may present with various combination of symptoms including resistance to PTH and/or to other hormones, ectopic ossifications, brachydactyly type E, early onset obesity, short stature and cognitive difficulties. Several years ago we proposed a novel nomenclature under the term of inactivating PTH/PTHrP signaling disorders (iPPSD). It is now of utmost importance to validate these criteria and/or improve the basis of this new classification. DESIGN: Retrospective study of a large international series of 459 probands and 85 relatives molecularly characterized. METHODS: Information on major and minor criteria associated with iPPSD and genetic results were retrieved from patient files. We compared the presence of each criteria according to the iPPSD subtype, age and gender of the patients. RESULTS: More than 98% of the probands met the proposed criteria for iPPSD classification. Noteworthy, most patients (85%) presented a combination of symptoms rather than a single sign suggestive of iPPSD and the overlap among the different genetic forms of iPPSD was confirmed. The clinical and molecular characterization of relatives identified familial history as an additional important criterion predictive of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The phenotypic analysis of this large cohort confirmed the utility of the major and minor criteria and their combination to diagnose iPPSD. This report shows the importance of having simple and easily recognizable signs to diagnose with confidence these rare disorders and supports a better management of patients.

Inactivating PTH/PTHrP Signaling Disorders.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP), pseudo-PHP, acrodysostosis, and progressive osseous heteroplasia are heterogeneous disorders characterized by physical findings, differently associated in each subtype, including short bones, short stature, a stocky build, ectopic ossifications (features associated with Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy), as well as laboratory abnormalities consistent with hormone resistance, such as hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. All these disorders are caused by impairments in the cAMP-mediated signal transduction pathway and, in particular, in the PTH/PTHrP signaling pathway: the main subtypes of PHP and related disorders are caused by de novo or autosomal dominantly inherited inactivating genetic mutations, and/or epigenetic, sporadic, or genetic-based alterations within or upstream of GNAS, PRKAR1A, PDE4D, and PDE3A. Here we will review the impressive progress that has been made over the past 30 years on the pathophysiology of these diseases and will describe the recently proposed novel nomenclature and classification. The new term "inactivating PTH/PTHrP signaling disorder," iPPSD: (1) defines the common mechanism responsible for all diseases, (2) does not require a confirmed genetic defect, (3) avoids ambiguous terms like "pseudo," and (4) eliminates the clinical or molecular overlap between diseases.

From pseudohypoparathyroidism to inactivating PTH/PTHrP signalling disorder (iPPSD), a novel classification proposed by the EuroPHP network.

OBJECTIVE: Disorders caused by impairments in the parathyroid hormone (PTH) signalling pathway are historically classified under the term pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP), which encompasses rare, related and highly heterogeneous diseases with demonstrated (epi)genetic causes. The actual classification is based on the presence or absence of specific clinical and biochemical signs together with an in vivo response to exogenous PTH and the results of an in vitro assay to measure Gsa protein activity. However, this classification disregards other related diseases such as acrodysostosis (ACRDYS) or progressive osseous heteroplasia (POH), as well as recent findings of clinical and genetic/epigenetic background of the different subtypes. Therefore, the EuroPHP network decided to develop a new classification that encompasses all disorders with impairments in PTH and/or PTHrP cAMP-mediated pathway. DESIGN AND METHODS: Extensive review of the literature was performed. Several meetings were organised to discuss about a new, more effective and accurate way to describe disorders caused by abnormalities of the PTH/PTHrP signalling pathway. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: After determining the major and minor criteria to be considered for the diagnosis of these disorders, we proposed to group them under the term 'inactivating PTH/PTHrP signalling disorder' (iPPSD). This terminology: (i) defines the common mechanism responsible for all diseases; (ii) does not require a confirmed genetic defect; (iii) avoids ambiguous terms like 'pseudo' and (iv) eliminates the clinical or molecular overlap between diseases. We believe that the use of this nomenclature and classification will facilitate the development of rationale and comprehensive international guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of iPPSDs.

Radiological diagnosis of the constitutional disorders of bone. As easy as A, B, C?

Although many constitutional disorders of bone are individually rare, collectively they make up a large group of disorders. They are broadly classified into osteochondrodysplasias and dysostoses. Because of the rarity of some of these conditions, they can be difficult to diagnose. Members of the International Dysplasia Group meet regularly to update and clarify the nomenclature. The last meeting was in Oxford in 2001. This article attempts to highlight the differences between the osteochondrodysplasias and the dysostoses, and provides a systematic approach to their radiological diagnosis.

[Diagnostic considerations in "constitutional bone diseases"]. / Alcune considerazioni diagnostiche sulle "malattie ossee costituzionali".

The author makes a few diagnostic comments regarding the so-called constitutional bone diseases, quoting the international nomenclature and a classification which is thought to be useful for diagnosis, based on clinical and radiological criteria rather than purely structural and metabolic findings.