Serum adiponectin levels in patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)

To evaluate the relationship between serum adiponectin ADP (sADP) levels and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with DISH and to assess the relationship between sADP levels, and the tendency for new bone formation in these patients. sADP levels were measured in DISH and non-DISH (NDISH) patients. sADP levels were compared between the two groups and were also correlated with weight circumference, BMI, serum lipid profile, concomitant diseases, use of medications, the presence of MS, the risk of developing CVD, and the extent of bony bridges. Eighty-seven patients with DISH and 65 in NDISH were examined. A negative significant correlation between sADP and insulin resistance, and serum insulin levels in the DISH group (r = − 0.375, p = 0.0004; r = −0.386, p = 0.0002, respectively) was observed. sADP levels positively correlated with serum cholesterol and LDL levels in the DISH group. Higher sADP levels positively correlated with the extent of bony bridges (r = 0.245, p = 0.02). It appears that at least in patients with DISH, sADP has an osteogenic effect. Increasing sADP levels might reduce insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia and reduce the CV risk and the osteogenic effect exerted by insulin. However, increasing sADP levels might directly increase new bone formation aggravating the already enhanced osteogenesis. Studies of larger populations with earlier disease might shed light on the enigmatic role played by ADP in patients with DISH and the eventual effect of manipulating its levels.