Clinical Risk Factors For Osteoporosis Research Articles

To measure or not to measure? Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in patients with clinical risk factors for osteoporosis

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences on calcified tissues ISSN 2052-1219 (online)

COPD and osteoporosis: links, risks, and treatment challenges.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory airway disease associated with various systemic comorbidities including osteoporosis. Osteoporosis and its related fractures are common and have significant impacts on quality of life and even respiratory function in patients with COPD. COPD-associated osteoporosis is however extremely undertreated. Recent studies have suggested that both decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and impaired bone quality contribute to bone fragility, causing fractures in COPD patients. Various clinical risk factors of osteoporosis in COPD patients, including older age, emaciation, physical inactivity, and vitamin D deficiency, have also been described. It is critically important for pulmonologists to be aware of the high prevalence of osteoporosis in COPD patients and evaluate them for such fracture risks. Routine screening for osteoporosis will enable physicians to diagnose COPD patients with comorbid osteoporosis at an early stage and give them appropriate treatment to prevent fracture, which may lead to improved quality of life as well as better long-term prognosis.

Osteoporotic Fracture Risk Assessment Using Bone Mineral Density in Korean: A Community-based Cohort Study.

BackgroundFracture-risk assessment tool (FRAX) using just clinical risk factors of osteoporosis has been developed to estimate individual risk of osteoporotic fractures. We developed prediction model of fracture risk using bone mineral density (BMD) as well as clinical risk factors in Korean, and assessed the validity of the final model.MethodsTo develop and validate an osteoporotic FRAX, a total of 768 Korean men and women aged 50 to 90 years were followed for 7 years in a community-based cohort study. BMD as well as clinical risk factors for osteoporotic fracture including age, sex, body mass index, history of fragility fracture, family history of fracture, smoking status, alcohol intake, use of oral glucocorticoid, rheumatoid arthritis, and other causes of secondary osteoporosis were assessed biannually.ResultsDuring the follow-up period, 86 osteoporotic fractures identified (36 in men and 50 in women). The developed prediction models showed high discriminatory power and had goodness of fit.ConclusionsThe developed a Korean specific prediction model for osteoporotic fractures can be easily used as a screening tool to identify individual with high risk of osteoporotic fracture. Further studies for validation are required to confirm the clinical feasibility in general Korean population.

Osteoporosis Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Recent epidemiological studies have revealed that osteoporosis is closely associated with common chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disorders, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a chronic inflammatory airway disease but now well known to be associated with various systemic comorbidities including osteoporosis. Osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures are extremely common in COPD patients, which have significant impacts on their quality of life (QOL), activities of daily life (ADL), respiratory function, and possibly their prognosis. COPD-associated osteoporosis is however extremely under-recognized, hence undertreated. Recent studies have suggested that both decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and impaired bone quality compromise bone strength causing fractures in COPD. In COPD patients, various general clinical risk factors for osteoporosis are present including smoking, older age, low body weight, and physical inactivity. In addition, disease-related risk factors such as decreased pulmonary function, inflammation, glucocorticoid use and vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency have been linked to the development of osteoporosis in COPD. Increased awareness of osteoporosis in COPD, especially that of high prevalence of vertebral fractures is called upon among general physicians as well as pulmonologists. Routine screening for osteoporosis and risk assessment of fractures will enable physicians to diagnose COPD patients with comorbid osteoporosis at an early stage. Timely prevention of developing osteoporosis together with appropriate treatment of established osteoporosis may improve QOL and ADL of the COPD patients, preserve their lung function and eventually result in better prognosis in these patients.

Influence of obesity on vertebral fracture prevalence and vitamin D status in postmenopausal women.

BackgroundIt is well established that weight is an important determinant of bone health. Whereas obesity is associated with increased mortality and morbidity from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, high body weight is widely believed to be associated to hypovitaminosis D and protective against the development of osteoporosis and fracture risk. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of BMI on vitamin D status and on densitometric vertebral fractures (VFs) in a large series of asymptomatic women aged over 50 who had a VFA examination during their bone mineral density (BMD) testing.MethodsWe enrolled 429 postmenopausal women (mean age, weight and BMI of 59.5 ± 8.3 (50 to 83) years, 75.8 ± 13.3 (35 to 165) kgs and 29.9 ± 5.2 (14.6 to 50.8) kg/m2, respectively. Lateral VFA images and scans of the lumbar spine and proximal femur were obtained using a Lunar Prodigy densitometer. VFs were defined using the Genant semiquantitative (SQ) approach. Clinical risk factors of osteoporosis were collected and 25-hydroxivitamin D was measured using electrochimiluminescence (Roche).ResultsPrevalence of osteoporosis and hypovitaminosis D (<20 ng/ml) was 21.0 % and 78.1 % respectively. VFs grade 2/3were identified in 76 (17.7 %). Comparison between women according to their BMI showed that obese women had a higher BMD and less proportion of women with osteoporosis and VFs grade 2/3 than lean and overweight women. The prevalence of VFs globally increased with age and as BMI and BMD declined. Stepwise regression analysis showed that the presence of osteoporosis was independently related to BMI and history of fractures while the presence of grade 2/3 VFs was independently related to age, hypovitaminosis D and years of menopause.ConclusionObese women had a higher BMD and lower prevalence of VFs. VFs were significantly related to age, hypovitaminosis D and years since menopause. However, among obese women, prevalence of VFs was increased in osteoporotic women.

Osteoporosis's Menopausal Epidemiological Risk Observation (O.M.E.R.O.) study

Osteoporosis (OP) and related fractures are well-known severe conditions affecting quality of life and life expectancy of postmenopausal women, with high economic costs in Europe. On behalf of The Italian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (Società Italiana di Ginecologia ed Ostetricia, SIGO), the Osteoporosis's Menopausal Epidemiological Risk Observation (O.M.E.R.O.) study, a national multicenter study on clinical risk factors of OP was organized, using FRAX® tool as a reference. Here, data from this study are presented, showing an important portion of Italian postmenopausal women affected by osteopenia/OP at high risk of fracture and the need to do prevention and/or treatment. Gynecologist can be a primary specialist in this important challenge.

Clinical risk factors for osteoporosis in type 1 diabetes

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

Vertebral fracture prevalence in black and white South African women.

Black women are generally regarded as being less prone to the development of osteoporosis. This study reports a similar prevalence of morphometric vertebral fractures in black (9.1 %) and white (5.0 %) South African women. Clinical risk factors and bone strength parameters contributed differently to fracture risk in the two ethnic cohorts. Vertebral fracture represents one of the most common osteoporotic fractures and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Little is known regarding the prevalence of vertebral fractures on the African continent. We therefore prospectively examined the prevalence of vertebral fracture on radiographs of the thoraco-lumbar spine in otherwise healthy community-dwelling older black and white South African women. Radiographs of the spine (T4-L5) were obtained randomly in 189 women (47 % black), aged 40 years or older, for the analysis of vertebral fracture. Radiographs were evaluated by a single radiologist, blinded to clinical data, using Genant's semi-quantitative method. Clinical risk factors for osteoporosis, risk factors for falls (fall history, quadriceps strength, lateral sway and reaction time), areal and volumetric bone mineral density of the spine and hip, calcaneal ultrasonography (QUS) and vertebral macro-geometry were assessed in the two ethnic groups and the association with prevalent vertebral fractures examined. Vertebral fracture prevalence in older South African black and white women was similar (9.1 % in black and 5.0 % in white women). In black women, lower body weight and lower areal and volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) at all sites could serve as markers of increased fracture risk. Older age, physical inactivity, lower muscle strength and lower femoral BMD were associated with vertebral fracture risk in whites. Our findings are noteworthy and the first attempt to compare vertebral fracture risk in women of different ethnicities on the African continent. A similar vertebral fracture risk between black and white women in South Africa must be considered at present to ensure appropriate evaluation in all subjects who present with clinical risk factors for osteoporosis, regardless of ethnicity.

Age impact on clinical risk factors does not justify the age related change in referral pattern for osteoporosis assessment—Data from the Aalborg University Hospital Record for Osteoporosis Risk Assessment (AURORA)

BackgroundOsteoporotic fractures with subsequent disability, dependency and premature death are increasingly common with age. Yet, referral for osteoporosis evaluation decreases with age. Why is this, and is it justified? PurposeTo assess if age changes the impact of clinical risk factors for osteoporosis. MethodsClinical risk factors for osteoporosis were informed by a questionnaire and recorded in the AURORA database along with anthropometry and bone mineral density measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). We included data from the first DXA in all individuals seen at the Osteoporosis Clinic in North Denmark in 2010 through 2012. ResultsRisk factor data were available in >96% and DXA in >98% of the 8131 evaluations. Age 80+ years was the dominant risk factor for fragility fracture (P<0.001) and for osteoporosis by DXA (P<0.001). The occurrence of clinical risk factors differed by age <80 or 80+ years: P<0.001 for family history, present smoker, excess alcohol intake, secondary disease, low sun exposure, fragility fracture; P=0.002 for early menopause; P=0.015 for corticosteroid; P=0.046 for low dairy product consumption. Age increased the impact of female gender (interaction term in logistic regression: P=0.004 for fragility fracture; P=0.040 for BMD). Age had no influence on the importance of any other clinical risk factor for the occurrence of fragility fracture. ConclusionHigh age carried the highest risk for fragility fracture and for osteoporosis by DXA. Clinical risk factors changed with age in those referred for evaluation. This change was not justified by the impact of clinical risk factors.

Mammography and Osteoporosis Screening—Clinical Risk Factors and Their Association With Digital X-Ray Radiogrammetry Bone Mineral Density

The aim of this study was to study the association between digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) T-score and clinical risk factors for osteoporosis. Women were recruited 2 d per wk at a single mammography screening center between year 2010 and 2012. Included women answered a questionnaire about risk factors for osteoporosis, and a radiograph of the nondominant hand was obtained for DXR analysis. Univariate associations between DXR T-score and risk factors were examined. A generalized linear regression model was fitted to independent variables with univariate associations at p < 0.05. The multivariable model was reduced through manual backward elimination, with p > 0.1 as the exclusion criterion. Seventy-six percent of the women chose to participate in the study (n = 8810). The difference in number of daily mammograms performed on study vs nonstudy days was not significant. All univariate associations between DXR T-score and potential risk factors were highly significant. The multivariable model included height, weight, age, right-handedness, menopause before age 45, alcohol consumption, cortisone treatment, rheumatic disease, and age × smoking status. The coefficient of determination of the model was 0.37. The association between risk factors for osteoporosis and DXR T-score is similar to previously reported associations with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

PTH-128 The Frax Algorithm is of Limited Utility in Predicting Osteoporosis in Coeliac Disease

IntroductionOsteoporosis is the commonest complication of coeliac disease yet no reliable scoring system exists to guide patient selection for bone density measurement. The FRAX tool has been developed by the...

AB0608 Bone mineral density and body composition by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in men with rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundLoss of bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle mass are common symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Changes in body composition in men with RA have been little studied.ObjectivesTo...

Osteoporosis among older Saudis: risk of fractures and unmet needs

Using FRAX®, this study aimed at estimating 10-years probability of osteoporosis (OP)-related fractures and identifies those in need of OP treatment among primary care attendees in Saudi Arabia. Of those aged ≥ 60years, 14.4 and 18.4% scored probabilities for major and hip fractures respectively suggesting OP treatment. Predictors for receiving OP screening included the presence of multiple clinical risk factors, occurrence of fragility fractures and physicians recommendation. This study aimed at estimating the 10-years probability of osteoporosis (OP)-related fractures and identifying those in need of OP treatment among Saudi adults attending primary care centers (PHCs) in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia, using FRAX® calculator and to determine factors possibly influence receiving of OP screening among them. A total of 1,251 Saudi aged ≥ 40years, of both genders, were recruited from four urban and three rural randomly selected PHCs. All were subjected to anthropometric measurements followed by a personal interview with structured questionnaire to asses OP clinical risk factors (CRFs) and possible correlates for receiving OP screening. Ten-year probabilities for major osteoporotic and hip fractures were calculated using the Lebanese version of FRAX® calculator. Of participants aged ≥ 60years, 14.4 and 18.4% were identified with probability scores for major osteoporotic and hip fractures respectively, suggesting OP treatment. Out of sampled population, 16.1% received OP screening. The presence of ≥two OP CRFs (odds ratio OR = 4.45), being aware of OP (OR = 2.89), physician recommendation of OP screening (OR = 2.01), and history of fragility fracture (OR = 1.92) were all possible positive predictors for receiving OP screening. A sizable portion of the sampled older Saudis especially those aged ≥ 60years are at high risk for OP-related fractures indicative to receive OP treatment. Occurrence of fragility fractures, multiplicity of CRFs and physician's recommendations are significant positive predictors to receive OP screening among them.

Clinical risk factors for osteoporosis are common among elderly people in Nuuk, Greenland

Background. Osteoporosis is a debilitating condition characterized by fractures, pain and premature death. Risk factors for osteoporosis predict the risk of fragility fractures.Aim. To describe the occurrence of risk factors for osteoporosis among populations in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.Methods. A random sample of women born in 1934–42, 1945–47, 1956, and men born in 1956 were selected from the national civil registry. A questionnaire was sent out in Greenlandic and Danish on risk factors for osteoporosis: family history, smoking habits, alcohol intake, presence of disease, sun exposure, intake of dairy products, age at menopause (women) and number of falls. Additional questions included the frequency of back pain, previous fractures, intake of vitamin D and calcium supplements, use of anti-osteoporotic drugs, steroids and other drugs.Results. The questionnaire was sent to 317 subjects confirmed to be living at an address in Nuuk and 181 (57.1%) responded. More young women than older women were smokers (60.6% vs. 35.0%; p=0.022) while limited sun exposure was reported by more of the old women (37.2% vs. 5.6%; p=0.003). Family history of osteoporosis was reported by 15.0%, without difference between groups. Alcohol and milk intake did not differ between groups. Premature menopause was reported by 17.9% of the women. Falls within the last year were reported by 42.4% with fewer falls in the oldest age group (21.9% vs. 50.0%; p=0.005). Frequency of fragility fractures increased with age (5.7% vs. 24.3% vs. 30.4%; p=0.02) and the risk of a fragility fracture increased with age (p=0.004; OR, 95% CI: 4.5, 1.6–12.2, reference: below 70 years), when adjusted for smoking, gender and falls. The use of anti-osteoporotic drugs was low (3.4%) while 28.8% took calcium and vitamin D supplements.Conclusions. Age is a dominating risk factor for fragility fractures in Greenland. The use of anti-osteoporotic drugs is low in Greenland, even if osteoporotic fractures are common in old age.

BMD, Micro-Architecture Estimation (TBS) and Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) Extracted From a Single DXA Device in Combination With Clinical Risk Factors Improve Significantly the Identification of Women at High Risk of Fracture

BMD, Micro-Architecture Estimation (TBS) and Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) Extracted From a Single DXA Device in Combination With Clinical Risk Factors Improve Significantly the Identification of Women at High Risk of Fracture

The micro-architecture estimation by TBS discriminate women with and without osteoporotic fracture independently of age, BMI and BMD: The osteo-mobile vaud cohort study

Introduction: « Osteo-Mobile Vaud » is a mobile osteoporosis (OP) screening program. The women > 60 years living in the region Vaud will be offered OP screening with new equipment installed in a bus. The main goal is to evaluate the fracture risk with the combination of clinical risk factors (CRF) and informations extracted by a single DXA: bone mineral density (BMD), vertebral fracture assessment (VFA), and micro-architecture (MA) evaluation. MA is yet evaluable in daily practice by the Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) measure. TBS is a novel grey-level texture measurement reflecting bone MA based on the use of experimental variograms of 2D projection images. TBS is very simple to obtain, by reanalyzing a lumbar DXA-scan. TBS has proven to have diagnosis and prognosis value, partially independent of CRF and BMD. A 55-years follow- up is planned. Method: The Osteo-Mobile Vaud cohort (1500 women, > 60 years, living in the region Vaud) started in July 2010. CRF for OP, lumbar spine and hip BMD, VFA by DXA and MA evaluation by TBS are recorded. Preliminary results are reported. Results: In July 31th, we evaluated 510 women: mean age 67 years, BMI 26 kg/m². 72 women had one or more fragility fractures, 39 had vertebral fracture (VFx) grade 2/3. TBS decreases with age (-0.005 / year, p<0.001), and with BMI (-0.011 per kg/m², p<0.001). Correlation between BMD and site matched TBS is low (r=0.4, p<0.001). For the lowest T-score BMD, odds ratio (OR, 95% CI) for VFx grade 2/3 and clinical OP Fx are 1.8 (1.1-2.9) and 2.3 (1.5-3.4). For TBS, age-, BMI- and BMD adjusted ORs (per SD decrease) for VFx grade 2/3 and clinical OP Fx are 1.9 (1.2-3.0) and 1.8 (1.2-2.7). The TBS added value was independent of lumbar spine BMD or the lowest T-score (femoral neck, total hip or lumbar spine). Conclusion: As in the already published studies, these preliminary results confirm the partial independence between BMD and TBS. More importantly, a combination of TBS and BMD may increase significantly the identification of women with prevalent OP Fx. For the first time we are able to have complementary information about fracture (VFA), density (BMD), and micro-architecture (TBS) from a simple, low ionizing radiation and cheap device: DXA. The value of such informations in a screening program will be evaluated.

Epidemiological Data on Osteoporosis in Women From the RAC-OST-POL Study

In the RAC-OST-POL study, epidemiological data were presented concerning osteoporosis in 625 women older than 55yr coming from the District of Raciborz in Poland. The mean age was 66.4±7.8yr. All the women fulfilled a questionnaire, gathering data on clinical risk factors of osteoporosis. Femoral neck (FN) and total hip (TH) were measured. The mean value of bone mineral density for FN was 0.862±0.129g/cm2, T-score −1.25±0.92, and Z-score 0.039±0.78, whereas the respective values for TH were 0.945±0.149g/cm2, −0.47±1.19, and 0.52±0.98. T-score for FN below −2.5 was noted in 59 women (9.5%) and for TH in 23 women (3.7%). One hundred seventy six women reported prior osteoporotic fracture(s) (28.2%). Falls were the most common clinical risk factor. The number of clinical risk factors was significantly higher in subjects with fracture history than in those without fracture records. The only first-line antiresorptive medications, used in the therapy for osteoporosis, included alendronate—42 subjects (6.7%). Estrogen therapy was prescribed in 135 women and 7 were treated with calcitonin. Calcium was administered in 94 patients and vitamin D in 84 women. In all the women on therapy, Z-score values were significantly lower than in untreated women. Concluding, the results of our epidemiological study demonstrate low treatment rate in women with history of low trauma fracture. Effective strategies are needed for prevention, especially in regard to falls, and management of this disease, in particular for improvement of the treatment rates in affected women with prior fracture, in general.

Procena rizika od nastanka velikih osteoporotičnih preloma na nivou primarne zdravstvene zaštite

Background. The major osteoporotic fractures have a detrimental impact on the health and quality of life for patients older than 65 years and are very expensive to treat. Screening and identification of those patients at risk for osteoporotic fractures would mean substantial progress in preventing them. The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk of osteoporotic fractures in our female patients. Methods. The study involved 23 women aged 65 years and older with one or more clinical risk factors for osteoporosis. A ten-year assessment of the risks of major osteoporotic fracture was performed through the Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAXR) algorithm, a clinical instrument defined by the Center for metabolic bone disease of the World Health Organisation. The anthropometric characteristics of female patients were analyzed by descriptive statistics using the computer program for statistical analysis (SPSS , version 20). Results. A ten-year assessment of the risks of osteoporotic fractures in the tested patients showed that the vast majority of subjects had intermediate (47,8%) or high (47,8%) risk of fractures. Only one patient (4,4%) had low ten-year risk of osteoporotic fractures. Conclusion. The risk assessment for osteoporosis at the primary health care is very important in identifying patients at risk for osteoporotic fractures. Our results suggest the efficacy and cost effectiveness of screening programs in osteoporosis, which could be implemented in daily practice.

Determinants of fracture risk in a UK-population-based cohort of older women: a cross-sectional analysis of the Cohort for Skeletal Health in Bristol and Avon (COSHIBA).

Background: identification of individuals with high fracture risk from within primary care is complex. It is likely that the true contribution of falls to fracture risk is underestimated. Methods: cross-sectional analysis of a population-based cohort of 3,200 post-menopausal women aged 73 ± 4 years. Self-reported data were collected on fracture, osteoporosis clinical risk factors and falls/mobility risk factors. Self-reported falls were compared with recorded falls on GP computerised records. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for fracture. Results: a total of 838 (26.2%) reported a fracture after aged 50; 441 reported falling more than once per year, but 69% of these had no mention of falls on their computerised GP records. Only age [odds ratios (OR): 1.37 per 5 year increase, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23–1.53], height (1.02 per cm increase, 95% CI: 1.01–1.04), weight (OR: 0.99 per kg increase, 95% CI: 0.98–0.99) and falls (OR: 1.49 for more than once per year compared with less, 95% CI: 1.13–1.94) were independent risk factors for fracture. Falls had the strongest association. Conclusion: when identifying individuals with high fracture risk we estimate that more than one fall per year is at least twice as important as height and weight. Furthermore, using self-reported falls data is essential as computerised GP records underestimate falls prevalence.

Follicle-stimulating hormone is independently associated with lean mass but not BMD in younger postmenopausal women

Increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) has been associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD) in animal models and longitudinal studies of women, but a direct effect has not been demonstrated. We tested associations between FSH, non-bone body composition measures and BMD in 94 younger (aged 50 to 64 years) postmenopausal women without current use of hormone therapy, adjusting for sex hormone concentrations and clinical risk factors for osteoporosis. Lean mass, fat mass and areal BMD (aBMD) at the spine, femoral neck and total hip were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Volumetric BMD (vBMD) was measured at the distal radius using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). FSH was inversely correlated with lean and fat mass, bioavailable estradiol, spine and hip aBMD, and vBMD at the ultradistal radius. In the multivariable analysis, FSH was independently associated with lean mass (β=-0.099, p=0.005) after adjustment for age, race, years since menopause, bioavailable estradiol, bioavailable testosterone, LH, PTH, SHBG and urine N-telopeptide. FSH showed no statistically significant association with aBMD at any site or pQCT measures at the distal radius in adjusted models. Race was independently associated with aBMD, and race and urine N-telopeptide were independently associated with bone area and vBMD. After adjustment for hormonal measures and osteoporosis risk factors, higher concentrations of FSH were independently associated with lower lean mass, but not with BMD. Previously reported correlations between FSH and BMD might have been due to indirect associations via lean mass or weight.