Bone mineral density and bone microarchitecture assessment using trabecular bone score in Acromegaly

Abstract

Purpose We aimed to analyze the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microarchitecture using the trabecular bone score (TBS) in acromegaly and compare it with healthy controls. Methods The current study included 50 patients with active acromegaly and 50 age and sex-matched controls. Biochemical parameters were analyzed using standardized techniques. BMD was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). (Discovery A 84023, Hologic Inc, MA, USA). TBS of the lumbar spine was measured using TBS iNsight software (version 3.0.2.0, medimaps, Merignac, France) installed on the same DXA machine. Results Acromegaly patients had a significantly greater lumbar spine [(1.026 ± 0.180) g/cm2 vs (0.951 ± 0.108) g/cm2, p=0.014], femoral neck [(0.879 ± 0.136) g/cm2 vs (0.780 ± 0.110) g/cm2, p<0.001], and total hip BMD [(1.013 ± 0.128) g/cm2 vs (0.917 ± 0.118) g/cm2, p<0.001] than healthy controls while no significant difference was observed in the distal radius BMD [(0.700 ± 0.102) g/cm2 vs (0.698 ± 0.087) g/cm2, p=0.890] and TBS [(1.348 ± 0.086) vs (1.345 ± 0.091), p=0.890]. No significant difference was observed in the TBS between eugonadal and hypogonadal acromegaly cases, be they male or female. On multiple linear regression analysis, ‘age’ and ‘lumbar spine BMD’ were found to predict TBS in acromegaly. Conclusion Our study showed no difference in TBS between acromegaly and controls, irrespective of gender and gonadal status. Further studies (longitudinal) with the involvement of a large sample size are required to analyze the utility of TBS in the prediction of skeletal health and fracture risk in acromegaly.