Context: Adults with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) present complications other than osteomalacia. Objective: To describe the incidence and severity of comorbidities in adults with XLH. Methods: This observational retrospective study included a total of 25 adults with XLH with thorough investigations, including spinal computed tomography scans, x-rays of hip/knee joints and Achilles tendons, abdominal ultrasounds, and audiograms. The index of ossification of the anterior/posterior longitudinal ligament and yellow ligament (OA/OP/OY index) and the sum of OA/OP/OY index (OS index) were utilized to evaluate the severity of spinal ligament ossification. The Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification was adopted to evaluate the severity of the hip/knee osteophytes. Results: The participants consisted of 13 male patients and 12 female patients from 21 families, with a median age of 43 (range, 18-72) years. In all, 20 patients (80%) showed spinal ligament ossification. The median OA/OP/OY/OS indices were 2 (0-22), 0 (0-15), 6 (0-13), and 12 (0-41), respectively. Hip/knee osteophytes were reported in 24 (96%) and 17 cases (68%). The median KL grade was 3 in the hip joint and 2 in the knee joint, and 18 cases (72%) developed enthesopathy in the Achilles tendon. Nephrocalcinosis and hearing impairment were observed in 18 (72%) and 8 (32%) cases. Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence and severity of ectopic ossification and disclosed the incidence of nephrocalcinosis and hearing impairment in adults with XLH. In cases with severe spinal ligament ossification or noticeable osteophytes around the hip/knee joints, undiagnosed XLH should be considered as a possible underlying condition.
30 November 2023 in Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Purpose of Review: The study aims to provide updated information on the genetic factors associated with the diagnoses ‘Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis’ (DISH), ‘Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament’ (OPLL), and in patients with spinal ligament ossification.Recent Findings: Recent studies have advanced our knowledge of genetic factors associated with DISH, OPLL, and other spinal ossification (ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament [OALL] and the yellow ligament [OYL]). Several case studies of individuals afflicted with monogenic disorders, such as X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), demonstrate the strong association of fibroblast growth factor 23-related hypophosphatemia with OPLL, suggesting that pathogenic variants inPHEX,ENPP1, andDMP1are associated with FGF23-phosphate wasting phenotype and strong genetic factors placing patients at risk for OPLL. Moreover, emerging evidence demonstrates that heterozygous and compound heterozygousENPP1pathogenic variants inducing ‘Autosomal Recessive Hypophosphatemic Rickets Type 2’ (ARHR2) also place patients at risk for DISH and OPLL, possibly due to the loss of inhibitory plasma pyrophosphate (PPi) which suppresses ectopic calcification and enthesis mineralization.Summary: Our findings emphasize the importance of genetic and plasma biomarker screening in the clinical evaluation of DISH and OPLL patients, with plasma PPiconstituting an important new biomarker for the identification of DISH and OPLL patients whose disease course may be responsive to ENPP1 enzyme therapy, now in clinical trials for rare calcification disorders.