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Vitamin D and hip protectors in osteosarcopenia: a combined hip fracture preventing approach.
Giustina, A, Giustina, A
Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders. 2024
Abstract
Osteosarcopenia is an emerging clinical condition highly prevalent in the older people. Affected subjects due to their intrinsic skeletal fragility and propensity to falls are at elevated risk of hip fractures which can increase morbidity and mortality. Strategies for attenuating the impact of predisposing factors on hip fractures are not yet well defined and should derive from multidisciplinary care and collaborations. Our aim was to narratively review available data on the preventive role of vitamin D and hip protectors on hip fractures in older patients with sarcopenia. Older subjects are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency and of falls due to several concomitant factors besides osteosarcopenia. Vitamin D protective actions against hip fractures may be mediated by both skeletal (increased mineralization) and extra-skeletal (reduced risk of falls) actions. Hip protectors may act downstream attenuating the effects of falls although their use is still not yet enough widespread due to the suboptimal compliance obtained by traditional hard devices. Concomitant use of vitamin D and hip protectors may represent an effective strategy in the prevention of hip fractures which need to be tested in ad hoc designed clinical trials.
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Mechanisms and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents.
Codazzi, V, Frontino, G, Galimberti, L, Giustina, A, Petrelli, A
Endocrine. 2024;(1):16-28
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Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex disorder characterized by abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and elevated fasting blood glucose levels. The diagnostic criteria for MetS in adults are well-established, but there is currently no consensus on the definition in children and adolescents. The etiology of MetS is believed to involve a complex interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental factors. While genetic predisposition explains only a small part of MetS pathogenesis, modifiable environmental risk factors play a significant role. Factors such as maternal weight during pregnancy, children's lifestyle, sedentariness, high-fat diet, fructose and branched-chain amino acid consumption, vitamin D deficiency, and sleep disturbances contribute to the development of MetS. Early identification and treatment of MetS in children and adolescents is crucial to prevent the development of chronic diseases later in life. In this review we discuss the latest research on factors contributing to the pathogenesis of MetS in children, focusing on non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors, including genetics, dysbiosis and chronic low-grade inflammation.
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Use of vitamin D with anti-osteoporotic drugs: are available clinical trials telling us the whole story?
di Filippo, L, Ulivieri, FM, Nuti, R, Giustina, A
Endocrine. 2024;(2):342-348
Abstract
There is a strong rationale for using vitamin D in combination with anti-osteoporotic drugs. Still, available trials do not give clear indications in this setting, presenting a suboptimal and heavily inhomogeneous experimental design. Health authorities should revise requirements for using vitamin D in anti-osteoporotic drug trials to maximise their effect and produce reliable indications for clinical practice in this setting.
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Consensus Statement on Vitamin D Status Assessment and Supplementation: Whys, Whens, and Hows.
Giustina, A, Bilezikian, JP, Adler, RA, Banfi, G, Bikle, DD, Binkley, NC, Bollerslev, J, Bouillon, R, Brandi, ML, Casanueva, FF, et al
Endocrine reviews. 2024;(5):625-654
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Abstract
The 6th International Conference, "Controversies in Vitamin D," was convened to discuss controversial topics, such as vitamin D metabolism, assessment, actions, and supplementation. Novel insights into vitamin D mechanisms of action suggest links with conditions that do not depend only on reduced solar exposure or diet intake and that can be detected with distinctive noncanonical vitamin D metabolites. Optimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels remain debated. Varying recommendations from different societies arise from evaluating different clinical or public health approaches. The lack of assay standardization also poses challenges in interpreting data from available studies, hindering rational data pooling and meta-analyses. Beyond the well-known skeletal features, interest in vitamin D's extraskeletal effects has led to clinical trials on cancer, cardiovascular risk, respiratory effects, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and mortality. The initial negative results are likely due to enrollment of vitamin D-replete individuals. Subsequent post hoc analyses have suggested, nevertheless, potential benefits in reducing cancer incidence, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular events, and diabetes. Oral administration of vitamin D is the preferred route. Parenteral administration is reserved for specific clinical situations. Cholecalciferol is favored due to safety and minimal monitoring requirements. Calcifediol may be used in certain conditions, while calcitriol should be limited to specific disorders in which the active metabolite is not readily produced in vivo. Further studies are needed to investigate vitamin D effects in relation to the different recommended 25(OH)D levels and the efficacy of the different supplementary formulations in achieving biochemical and clinical outcomes within the multifaced skeletal and extraskeletal potential effects of vitamin D.
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Vitamin D in pituitary driven osteopathies.
Chiloiro, S, Costanza, F, Riccardi, E, Giampietro, A, De Marinis, L, Bianchi, A, Pontecorvi, A, Giustina, A
Pituitary. 2024
Abstract
The evidence that pituitary hormones may bypass peripheral endocrine glands to exert remarkable effects on the skeleton is gaining ground. Both hormonal excess and deficit may determine impairment in bone structure, and they commonly result in bone loss in patients affected by pituitary and neuroendocrine disorders. Vertebral fractures are the most common skeletal alterations and may occur independently of bone mass. Use of vitamin D (VD) supplementation is still debated in this setting. This review will focus on the interactions between different metabolites of VD and pituitary hormones, and the effects of VD supplementation on bone metabolism in patients with pituitary diseases.
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New insights into the vitamin D/PTH axis in endocrine-driven metabolic bone diseases.
di Filippo, L, Bilezikian, JP, Canalis, E, Terenzi, U, Giustina, A
Endocrine. 2024;(3):1007-1019
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endocrine regulation of bone metabolisms is the focus of the "Skeletal Endocrinology" series of meetings. AIMS To report on the outcome of the discussion on the role of vitamin D/PTH axis in endocrine osteopathies held during the 10th Skeletal Endocrinology Meeting which took place in Stresa (Italy) in March 2023. OUTCOMES Vitamin D/PTH axis has relevant influence on several outcomes in the general population and in patients affected by endocrinopathies such as hypoparathyroidism and secreting pituitary adenomas. CONCLUSIONS Assessing the status of the vitamin D/PTH axis and using vitamin D and PTH as therapeutic agents is mandatory in several endocrine-related bone metabolic conditions.
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Correction: Vitamin D status and supplementation before and after Bariatric Surgery: Recommendations based on a systematic review and meta‑analysis.
Giustina, A, di Filippo, L, Facciorusso, A, Adler, RA, Binkley, N, Bollerslev, J, Bouillon, R, Casanueva, FF, Cavestro, GM, Chakhtoura, M, et al
Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders. 2024;(2):447-448
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Vitamin D status and supplementation before and after Bariatric Surgery: Recommendations based on a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Giustina, A, di Filippo, L, Facciorusso, A, Adler, RA, Binkley, N, Bollerslev, J, Bouillon, R, Casanueva, FF, Cavestro, GM, Chakhtoura, M, et al
Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders. 2023;(6):1011-1029
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Abstract
Bariatric surgery is associated with a postoperative reduction of 25(OH) vitamin D levels (25(OH)D) and with skeletal complications. Currently, guidelines for 25(OH)D assessment and vitamin D supplementation in bariatric patients, pre- and post-surgery, are still lacking. The aim of this work is to analyse systematically the published experience on 25(OH)D status and vitamin D supplementation, pre- and post-surgery, and to propose, on this basis, recommendations for management. Preoperatively, 18 studies including 2,869 patients were evaluated. Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency as defined by 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L) was 85%, whereas when defined by 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L) was 57%. The median preoperative 25(OH)D level was 19.75 ng/mL. After surgery, 39 studies including 5,296 patients were analysed and among those undergoing either malabsorptive or restrictive procedures, a lower rate of vitamin D insufficiency and higher 25(OH)D levels postoperatively were observed in patients treated with high-dose oral vitamin D supplementation, defined as ≥ 2,000 IU/daily (mostly D3-formulation), compared with low-doses (< 2,000 IU/daily). Our recommendations based on this systematic review and meta-analysis should help clinical practice in the assessment and management of vitamin D status before and after bariatric surgery. Assessment of vitamin D should be performed pre- and postoperatively in all patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Regardless of the type of procedure, high-dose supplementation is recommended in patients after bariatric surgery.
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Consensus and Controversial Aspects of Vitamin D and COVID-19.
Bilezikian, JP, Binkley, N, De Luca, HF, Fassio, A, Formenti, AM, El-Hajj Fuleihan, G, Heijboer, AC, Giustina, A
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 2023;(5):1034-1042
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This work aims to review and discuss controversial topics in the field of vitamin D, SARS-CoV-2 infection, and COVID-19. METHODS The International Conferences "Controversies in Vitamin D" are a series of workshops that started in 2017 featuring international experts and leaders in vitamin D research and clinical practice. The fifth annual conference was held in Stresa, Italy, September 15 to 18, 2021. EVIDENCE Before the event, participants reviewed available studies on their assigned topic, drafted a related abstract, and presented their findings at the time of the conference. Relevant literature that became available since was also discussed within the panel and updated accordingly. CONSENSUS Before the event, the drafted abstracts had been merged to prepare a preliminary document. After the conference presentations, in-depth discussions in open sessions led to consensus. The document was subsequently modified according to discussions and up-to-date literature inclusion. CONCLUSIONS There is quite consistent evidence for an association between low 25 OH vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and poor COVID-19 outcomes, despite heterogeneous publications of variable quality. However, the low vitamin D status in COVID-19 patients might also reflect reverse causality. Vitamin D supplementation might have a positive role in COVID-19 prevention. The evidence supporting a beneficial effect of vitamin D treatment in decreasing the risk of COVID-19 complications is conflicting. Conclusive statements regarding the beneficial effect of vitamin D in this context await high-quality, randomized controlled trials.
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Vitamin D in the older population: a consensus statement.
Giustina, A, Bouillon, R, Dawson-Hughes, B, Ebeling, PR, Lazaretti-Castro, M, Lips, P, Marcocci, C, Bilezikian, JP
Endocrine. 2023;(1):31-44
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Abstract
BACKGROUND This paper reports results from the 5th International Conference "Controversies in Vitamin D" that was held in Stresa, Italy, 15-18 September 2021. The conference is part of this series that started in 2017 and has been conducted annually since. The objective of these conferences is to identify timely and controversial topics related to Vitamin D. Dissemination of the results of the conference through publications in peer-reviewed journals is an important means by which the most up to date information can be shared with physicians, investigators, and other health care professionals. Vitamin D and aging, the subject of this paper was featured at the conference. METHODS Participants were selected to review available literature on assigned topics related to vitamin D and aging and to present their findings with illustrative material, the intent of which was to stimulate discussion and to arrive at a consensus. The presentations were directed towards the following areas: impact of aging on vitamin D production and levels; skeletal effects of vitamin D deficiency in the older population; falls and vitamin D in the aging; potential extra skeletal effects of vitamin D; and strategies to prevent vitamin D deficiency. A final topic was related to how vitamin D might influence the efficacy of vaccines for Covid-19. RESULTS Hypovitaminosis D can lead to several skeletal and extra-skeletal outcomes. Older adults are at risk for vitamin D deficiency as both production and metabolism of vitamin D change with aging due to factors, such as reduced sun exposure and reduced production capacity of the skin. Skeletal consequences of these age-related changes can include reduced bone mineral density, osteomalacia and fractures. Potential extra-skeletal effects can include added risks for falls, reduced muscle strength, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Strategies to avoid these vitamin D deficiency-related negative outcomes include sun exposure, food fortification, and supplementation. While aging does not diminish sufficient reserve capacity for cutaneous vitamin D production, concerns about skin cancers and practical matters for the institutionalized elderly limit this option. Supplementation with vitamin D is the best option either pharmacologically or through food fortification. Regardless of treatment strategies, interventions to restore sufficient vitamin D status will show positive results only in those who are truly deficient. Thus, treatment goals should focus on avoiding 25(OH)D serum levels <30 nmol/l, with a goal to reach levels >50 nmol/l. CONCLUSIONS The results of this conference has led to consensus on several issues. Vitamin D supplementation should be combined with calcium to reduce fractures in the older population. The goal for adequate Vitamin D status should be to reach a serum level of 25(OH)D >50 nmol/l. It appears that daily low-dose vitamin D regimens reduce the risk of falling, especially in the elderly, compared with infrequent, large bolus doses that may increase it. The role of Vitamin D supplementation on muscle strength remains to be clarified. On the other hand, supplementation decreases the risk of progression to T2D from prediabetes among those who are Vitamin Ddeficient. Of three possible strategies to establish vitamin D sufficiency - sunshine exposure, food fortification, and supplementation - the latter seems to be the most effective and practical in the aging population.
