Hyperostosis of the spine in diabetes mellitus and acromegaly

Abstract

A series of 658 patients routinely examined in a medical clinic was studied for senile ankylosing hyperostosis of the spine. The disease was diagnosed from lateral views of the thorax, typical bridges between the vertebrae being regarded as the criterion. A total of 510 patients had diabetes mellitus, and hyperostosis was detected in 13 per cent of these. In the range 60-69 years there was a very significant difference between 122 diabetics and 148 non-diabetics in regard to the occurrence of hyperostosis. - In a series of 21 patients with acromegaly hyperostosis was detected in 6 cases. Eight patients were over 50 years old. Of these, 4 showed hyperostosis and 2 of the latter had diabetes. The results seem to indicate that the growth hormone may play a part in the development of hyperostosis. This observation is significant also from the standpoint of clinical practice. © 1966 Springer-Verlag.