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Mild autonomous cortisol secretion in adrenal incidentalomas and risk of fragility fractures: a large cross-sectional study

G. Zavatta, V. Vicennati, P. Altieri, L. Tucci, Giacomo Colombin, Kimberly Coscia, C. Mosconi, C. Balacchi et al.

European Journal of Endocrinology, 2023

1,023 participants · 44 citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

Mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) has been associated with a higher prevalence of osteoporosis, although most data rely on single-center studies with limited sample size. We aimed to assess the prevalence of fragility fractures and contributing factors in a large cohort of patients with adrenal incidentalomas.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Medical records of 1023 patients with adrenal incidentalomas from 1990 to 2019 were reviewed, and 735 patients were selected. Clinically-obtained electronic radiological images closest to first endocrine evaluation, such as lateral views of spine X-rays or CT thoraco-abdominal scans, were reviewed to screen for asymptomatic morphometric vertebral fractures. Clinical fragility fractures, hormonal and DXA indices were also recorded.

RESULTS

474 patients had non-functioning (NF) adrenal incidentalomas, 238 had MACS and 23 Adrenal Cushing's Syndrome (AC). Prevalence of fragility fractures was different (P = 0.018) between groups, respectively 24.1% (NF), 34.0% (MACS) and 30.4% (AC), with significant difference between NF and MACS (P = 0.012). When analyzed separately by sex and menopausal status, this difference remained significant in post-menopausal women (P = 0.011), with a fracture prevalence of 22.2% (NF), 34.6% (MACS). Fracture prevalence was similar in males. Women with MACS aged ≥65 years reported a 48.8% prevalence of fractures, as compared with 29.5% in NF (P < 0.01). In post-menopausal women, fragility fractures were…

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