Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Italy is considered a country with high prevalence of 25 OH vitamin D deficiency. Changes in vitamin D serum levels were linked with the onset and progression of several diseases, including osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. The hypopituitary patients show several comorbidities like cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in hypopituitary patients.

Patients and methods: 57 patients were enrolled (27 M and 30 F), 24 with hypopituitarism and GH deficiency (GHD) and 33 non–GHD patients with hypopituitarism, aged between 30 and 80 years and 90 controls age, sex and BMI matched. In all subjects were evaluated serum levels of vitamin D, PTH, serum and urinary Ca and P. The 25 OH vitamin D levels were considered deficient when <20 ng/ml, insufficient when between 20–30 ng/ml and normal when>30 ng/ml.

Results: 25 OH Vitamin D levels were lower in patients than in controls (21.7±10 ng/ml vs 31.4±12, P<0.01). The levels of PTH, Ca, P did not differ between patients and controls. The 50% of patients vs 12% of controls had vitamin D deficiency (P<0.01); 28% vs 32% had vitamin D insufficiency (P=ns) and 21% vs 56% had normal levels of vitamin D (P<0.01), respectively in patiets and controls. There were no differences in both levels of vitamin D and in the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D between the 2 groups of patients (P=ns). In addition,Vitamin D levels were inversely related to age (P<0.05).

Conclusions: Hypopituitary patients show vitamin D levels lower than controls, so in these patients, vitamin D deficiency represents an additional risk factor for the hypopituitaric comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. It would therefore be advisable to ensure a vitamin D supplementation in all patients with inadequate levels.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.