Osteoporosis: an ignored complication of CVID.

BACKGROUND: Multiple factors in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) might interfere with optimal growth and maturation and potentially compromise bone health. METHODS: We aimed to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) of patients with CVID using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and investigate risk factors associated with decreased bone density. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included (M: 16, F: 6) with a mean age of 15.6 ± 9.0 yr. DEXA revealed osteopenia in 6/22 (27.3%) and osteoporosis in 9/22 (40.9%) at lumbar spine and osteopenia in 7/19 (37%) and osteoporosis in 3/19 (16%) at femoral neck sites. The age of subjects with osteoporosis was significantly higher than those without (21.6 ± 8.0 vs. 9.0 ± 5.7 yr; p < 0.0001). BMD z-scores were significantly lower in patients with bronchiectasis compared with those without (p = 0.03). Patients with osteoporosis at femoral neck site had lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1) ) (p = 0.024), FEV(1) /forced vital capacity (FVC) (p < 0.0001), PEF (p = 0.008), and FEF 25-75 (p = 0.013) values compared with the patients with normal BMD z-scores. Low serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels were detected in 13/22 patients and low dietary calcium intake in 17/22 patients. BMD z-scores at femoral neck were lower in patients with low B-cell percentage (p = 0.03). BMD z-score at lumbar spine was correlated with folate (r = +0.63, p = 0.004) and serum immunoglobulin G levels (r = +0.430, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Osteoporosis appeared as an emerging health problem of patients with CVID, the risk increasing with older age and poorer lung function. Nutritional, biochemical, and immunologic factors appeared to take part in decreased BMD. Insight into the mechanisms of osteoporosis in CVID is crucial to develop preventive strategies.

Insufficiency fractures after pelvic radiotherapy in patients with prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To assess the incidence, predisposing factors, and clinical characteristics of insufficiency fractures (IF) in patients with prostate cancer, who received pelvic radiotherapy as part of their definitive treatment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The charts of 134 prostate cancer patients, who were treated with pelvic radiotherapy between 1998 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. IF was diagnosed by bone scan and/or CT and/or MRI. The cumulative incidence of symptomatic IF was estimated by actuarial methods. RESULTS: Eight patients were identified with symptomatic IF after a median follow-up period of 68 months (range, 12-116 months). The 5-year cumulative incidence of symptomatic IF was 6.8%. All patients presented with lower back pain. Insufficiency fracture developed at a median time of 20 months after the end of radiotherapy and was managed conservatively without any need for hospitalization. Three patients were thought to have metastatic disease because of increased uptake in their bone scans. However, subsequent CT and MR imaging revealed characteristic changes of IF, avoiding any further intervention. No predisposing factors for development of IF could be identified. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic IF is a rare complication of pelvic radiotherapy in prostate cancer. Knowledge of pelvic IF is essential to rule out metastatic disease and prevent unnecessary treatment, especially in a patient cohort with high-risk features for distant spread.