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Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in a patient with celiac disease

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Abstract

Background. A 62-year-old postmenopausal woman with a family history of breast cancer, mild gastroesophageal reflux disease, iron-deficient anemia and declining BMD was seen in a specialist center for the evaluation and management of osteoporosis.

Investigations. Analysis of tissue transglutaminase IgA, endoscopic biopsy, serial BMD scans, FRAX® calculation of osteoporotic fracture risk, Gail model calculation of breast cancer risk, assessment of blood vitamin D concentration and secondary evaluation for osteoporosis.

Diagnosis. Osteoporosis, persistent after 12 years of hormone replacement therapy, and celiac disease.

Management. The patient was initially treated for bone loss with postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy. DXA analyses showed a continued decline in BMD despite adequate replacement of calcium and vitamin D levels and withdrawal of gluten from the patient's diet. An oral bisphosphonate was recommended with plans to reassess BMD after 1 year.

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Figure 1
Figure 2: Small bowel mucosa of the case patient.

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Acknowledgements

Written consent for publication was obtained from the patient. Charles P. Vega, University of California, Irvine, CA, is the author of and is solely responsible for the content of the learning objectives, questions and answers of the MedscapeCME-accredited continuing medical education activity associated with this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Midlife Health, University of Virginia Health System, 2955 Ivy Road, Suite 104, PO Box 801104, Charlottesville, 22908, VA, USA

    JoAnn V. Pinkerton

  2. Department of Medicine and Endocrinology, Endocrinology Clinic, University of Virginia Health System, 415 Ray C. Hunt Drive, PO Box 801405, Charlottesville, 22908, VA, USA

    Alan C. Dalkin

  3. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Digestive Health Center of Excellence, University of Virginia Health System, 1300 Jefferson Park Avenue, PO Box 800708, Charlottesville, 22908, VA, USA

    Sheila E. Crowe

  4. Department of Dermatology, Primary Care Center, University of Virginia Health System, 1221 Lee Street, PO Box 800718

    Barbara B. Wilson

  5. Department of Pathology, PO Box 800214, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, 22908, VA, USA

    Edward B. Stelow

Authors
  1. JoAnn V. Pinkerton
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  2. Alan C. Dalkin
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  3. Sheila E. Crowe
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  4. Barbara B. Wilson
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  5. Edward B. Stelow
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to JoAnn V. Pinkerton.

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Competing interests

J. V. Pinkerton declares associations with the following companies: Amgen (consultant), Boehringer Ingelheim (consultant), Eli Lilly (consultant), NovoNordisk (consultant), Pfizer (grant/research support), Wyeth (consultant, grant/research support). The other authors, the Journal Editor V. Heath and the CME questions author C. P. Vega declare no competing interests.

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Pinkerton, J., Dalkin, A., Crowe, S. et al. Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in a patient with celiac disease. Nat Rev Endocrinol 6, 167–171 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2009.272

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