High Risk Of Fragility Fractures Research Articles

Effectiveness and Satisfaction with Telemedicine in Geriatric Patients at High Risk of Fragility Fractures.

Background: Telemedicine has increasingly widespread to improve the monitoring of patients with chronic diseases. Secondary prevention of fragility fractures is an urgent matter to be addressed by means of available technology, although supported by little evidence so far. We investigated the feasibility, efficacy, and satisfaction of managing older adults at high risk of fragility fractures during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: During the period January to July 2021, a prospective observational study for safety and adherence purposes was conducted among older adults (n = 407) with ongoing treatments for secondary prevention of fragility fractures. The study procedures comply with national and regional resolutions related to telemedicine service (TS), including equipment, staff behaviors, and patient reports. Results: A majority (86.48% [n = 352]) of the eligible patients joined the remote visits, mainly women (88.2%), 81.4 ± 8.8 years of age, 49.6% independent in 5 out of 6 BADL, despite high comorbidity (4.9 ± 1.5), and polypharmacy (4.9 ± 3.1). Almost all were on second-line antifracture treatments (95.58%) due to previous major (84.03%) and minor (42.5%) fragility fractures. About 58% reported good and very good reliability of the internet network, allowing easy access to the TS platform, and 54% declared the degree of satisfaction with TS as good and very good. About 75% of clinicians acknowledged the efficacy of TS and expressed willingness to recommend the use of TS to colleagues. Ultimately, 68% of specialists defined the time allocated for patients' remote visits as acceptable. Conclusion: TS may be an opportunity to improve the availability of appropriate health care services to satisfy patients' needs and optimize health care resource allocation.

Bone Quality in Spinal Surgery: Evaluation, Implications, and Treatments

Abstract Bone mineral density (BMD) is generally defined as the concentration or density of bone minerals in bone tissue. It is an indicator of bone quality and is used in the diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis. Poor bone quality has been demonstrated to be associated with significantly higher risk of fragility fractures including those of the hip, distal radius, and spine. It is important for spinal surgeons to understand the implications of BMD on outcomes after spinal surgery, learn the various methods to evaluate it, and be aware of treatment options in the perioperative period.

MITIGATION OF MAJOR HIP INJURY FROM FALLS: EARLY RESEARCH RESULTS WITH SMART BELT STUDY

Abstract Hip fractures sustained from falling are a devastating outcome for over 300,000 older adults every year in the US. The recovery from this major injury is extremally costly to the healthcare system and results in reduced mobility, increased dependency and up to 30% higher morbidity within 12 months of fracture. Avoidance of falls and injuries from falls is embedded into the standard of care for older adult providers though these standardized measures have not reduced the rate of death from falls as shown in recent studies. The study, Mitigation of Major Hip Injury due to fall in an At-Risk, Older Adult Population with a Wearable Smart Belt, seeks to compare the safety and efficacy of a wearable smartbelt to be worn around the waist of high risk older adults in order to mitigate major hip injuries related to falls through built-in sensors and the deployment of anatomically situated airbags around the hips during the hip impacting fall. The design of the study includes multiple older adult settings where subjects who are identified as being at high risk of fragility fracture and falls wear the study device for 6 months. Comparison of falls with major hip injury, emergency room visits and hospitalizations from falls and hip fractures from falls will be compared to a retrospective control group matched with the same inclusion/exclusion criteria. The poster will share the subject criteria and data gathered into November 2023. This study is listed on clinicaltrials.gov NCT#05245097

Combination Therapy of Denosumab and Teriparatide in Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that often requires long-term treatment for many years. The clinician should know about all the drugs that are currently being used for treatment in osteoporosis and their mechanism of action, efficacy, safety profile, mode of administration and number of years they can be given safely without causing significant adverse effects. The categories of drugs that are currently being used for osteoporosis are antiresorptives such as oral and intravenous bisphosphonates, denosumab, and anabolics like teriparatide. This article will focus on the combination therapy of denosumab and teriparatide and will discuss how this combination is better than other class of drugs when given alone or in combination in osteoporosis patients especially those who are at high risk of fragility fractures.

THU426 Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing The Efficacy Of Teriparatide, Zoledronate And Denosumab In Postmenopausal Women With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus At High Risk Of Fragility Fractures: 6-month Interim Analysis Of HR-pQCT Parameters

Abstract Disclosure: R. Pal: None. T.N. Prasad: None. S.K. Bhadada: None. V. Singla: None. S. Ram: None. N. Aggarwal: None. A. Kumar: None. People with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at high-risk of fragility fractures, however, there are no randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy/safety of anti-osteoporosis drugs as a primary endpoint in T2D (1). To address this lacuna, we conducted a pilot prospective, open-labeled, blinded-end point (PROBE) RCT (CTRI/2022/02/039978) wherein consecutive postmenopausal female (≥ 50 years) with T2D (duration ≥ 5 years) were screened. Subjects with HbA1c 7-10%, eGFR > 45 ml/min/1.73 m2 and prior history of vertebral (clinical/morphometric), hip, radius, humeral fragility fracture or at high-risk of fragility fractures [defined as areal bone mineral density (BMD) T-score (adjusted for diabetes) at lumbar spine/femoral neck ≤ -2.5 and high FRAX score] and without any secondary cause of osteoporosis were randomised in staggered fashion in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive either daily teriparatide, yearly zoledronate, biannually denosumab (in addition to standard of care, i.e., calcium 1000 mg/day and cholecalciferol 1000 IU/day) or only standard of care (control). The primary end points were change in areal BMD and frequency of incident fractures at 18 months. The secondary end point was change in HR-pQCT parameters measured at distal radius and distal tibia (XtremeCT II, SCANCO Medical AG, Switzerland) at 6 and 18 months.Out of 412 participants who were screened, 104 subjects were randomized to any of the 4 arms. Out of these 104 subjects, 53 have completed 6 months of follow-up (teriparatide n=14, zoledronate n=14, denosumab n=15, control n=10). There were no statistically significant differences in age, HbA1c, eGFR, calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, procollagen type I N-propeptide (PINP), C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), areal BMD, trabecular bone score (TBS), FRAX score or HR-pQCT parameters between the 4 groups at randomisation. At 6 months, there was no significant difference in HbA1c between the 4 groups; PINP and CTX rise was significantly higher in teriparatide arm compared to zoledronate, denosumab or control arms. With regard to HR-pQCT, there were no statistically significant differences in total [total volumetric BMD (vBMD), bone volume fraction], cortical (vBMD, thickness, porosity, pore diameter), or trabecular (vBMD, thickness, number, separation) bone properties at the distal radius and distal tibia between the 4 arms at 6 months of follow-up. To conclude, zoledronate, denosumab or teriparatide were unable to induce any significant microarchitectural changes than standard of care in postmenopausal women with T2D at high-risk of fragility fractures following 6 months of treatment. Longer duration of treatment and follow-up of the cohort is required to arrive at robust conclusions. Reference: (1) Pal et al., Bone fragility in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a lot left to explore. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2022;18:651-651 Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

Coexistence of Low Muscle Mass and Osteoporosis as a Predictor of Fragility Fractures in Long-Term Kidney Transplant Recipients

Introduction: Sarcopenia and osteoporosis are highly prevalent among kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Although osteoporosis is known to increase fracture risk in KTRs, it is unclear whether sarcopenia or osteosarcopenia is associated with this increased risk. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association of the coexistence of low muscle mass (LMM) and osteoporosis with the risk of fracture in long-term KTRs. Methods: Exactly 342 stable KTRs underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) measurement using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: LMM and osteoporosis were observed in 109 (31.9%) and 93 patients (27.2%), respectively. During a follow-up period of 5.1 years, 48 (14.0%) fractures occurred. KTRs with LMM had a higher fracture risk, but this was not significant (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94–3.50, p = 0.073). Similar results were obtained in KTRs with osteoporosis (aHR 1.84, 95% CI 0.96–3.47, p = 0.063). We divided the KTRs into four groups according to the presence of LMM and/or osteoporosis. The cumulative incidence rates of fractures were 13.0%, 11.1%, 10.5%, and 31.3% in the KTRs without both LMM and osteoporosis, those with LMM alone, those with osteoporosis alone, and those with both, respectively. The KTRs with both LMM and osteoporosis had a 2.92fold higher risk of fractures (95% CI 1.29–6.49; p = 0.010) than those without both LMM and osteoporosis. Conclusion: Long-term KTRs with the coexistence of LMM and osteoporosis had an independently higher risk of fragility fractures than those without both LMM and osteoporosis. The combination of SMI and osteoporosis definitions can be used to identify KTRs with a high fracture risk.

Incidence of bone fractures among patients on maintenance hemodialysis

Background Patients with chronic kidney disease, especially those undergoing hemodialysis (HD), have a higher risk of fragility fractures. However, the magnitude of the problem and risk factors associated with fracture incidence have not been well studied in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods This multicenter retrospective study involved HD centers in Jeddah from 2015 to 2021. This study included all adult HD patients. Patient demographics, medication usage, and clinical and biochemical parameters were collected from the registry records. Results The study included 328 patients on HD, with a mean age of 53 years. The median duration of HD was 47 months. Osteoporosis was found in 9% of the patients, and 8% had a previous parathyroidectomy. Over the observation period, fractures occurred in 32 patients, with an incidence rate of 20 case/1000 end stage kidney disease patients-year. Patients with fractures had a higher rate of osteoporosis, underwent more parathyroidectomy, had longer HD vintage, and higher bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) levels. BSAP was the most significant predictor of fracture incidence in the regression analysis. Using a BSAP cutoff value of 96.6 µg/L, the sensitivity and specificity to predict fractures were 81.8% and 49%, respectively. Conclusion The main risk factors for incident fractures were osteoporosis, previous parathyroidectomy, longer HD vintage, and higher BSAP level. A higher BSAP score was the most significant predictor of incident fractures. This may highlight the importance of monitoring bone turnover markers and the negative impact of high bone turnover on patient health.

Characteristics of MRI‑based vertebral bone quality scores in elderly patients with vertebral fragility fractures.

To explore the characteristics of vertebral bone quality (VBQ) scores in patients with vertebral fragility fractures, including VBQ score and single-level VBQ score, and evaluate their effectiveness as predictors. The VBQ scores were measured using T1-weighted MRI images. VBQ scores were compared in patients with different times of previous fragility fractures. In addition, patients with fractures were matched for age and sex with patients without fractures, and VBQ scores were compared between the two groups. Finally, the predictive efficiency of VBQ scores for vertebral fragility fractures was analyzed by the receiver-operator curve (ROC). The average VBQ score and single-level VBQ score in patients with fractures were 3.48 ± 0.56 and 3.60 ± 0.60 and no difference among patients with different times of previous fractures. As for the age- and sex-matched patients, fracture patients had higher VBQ scores (VBQ score: 3.48 ± 0.56 vs. 2.88 ± 0.40, p < 0.001; single-level VBQ score: 3.60 ± 0.60 vs. 2.95 ± 0.44, p < 0.001). The AUCs using the VBQ score and single-level VBQ score to predict fragility fractures were 0.815 and 0.817, respectively. The optimal thresholds of the VBQ score and single-level VBQ score for predicting fragility fractures were 3.22 and 3.16, respectively. MRI‑based VBQ scores are important predictors of vertebral fragility fracture but have no predictive value for the recurrence of fractures in patients with a history of fragility fractures. The VBQ score of 3.22 and single-level VBQ score of 3.16 are optimal thresholds that can be used when using lumbar MRI scans to identify individuals at high risk for fragility fractures.

Efficacy of zoledronate, denosumab or teriparatide in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus at high risk of fragility fractures: protocol of an open, blinded endpoint randomized controlled pilot trial.

People with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at high risk of fragility fractures; however, there are no randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of anti-osteoporosis drugs as a primary pre-specified endpoint in T2D. To compare the efficacy of anti-osteoporotic drugs in postmenopausal women with T2D. Prospective, randomized, open, blinded endpoint clinical pilot trial. Postmenopausal women (⩾50 years) with T2D (duration ⩾5 years), HbA1c 7-10%, eGFR ⩾45 mL/min/1.73 m2 and prior vertebral (clinical/morphometric), hip, radius, humeral fragility fracture or bone mineral density (BMD) T-score (adjusted for diabetes) at lumbar spine/femoral neck ⩽-2.5 and high FRAX score will be eligible for inclusion. Subjects with secondary causes of osteoporosis, prior exposure to bone-active therapies or history of use of glucocorticoids/pioglitazone/thiazides/canagliflozin will be excluded. Finally, eligible subjects will undergo estimation of serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and bone turnover markers (BTMs) (total procollagen type I N-propeptide, β-CTX) along with trabecular bone score (TBS) and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) of non-dominant hand and leg. After a 2-week run in phase, they will be randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive yearly zoledronate, or biannually denosumab or daily teriparatide (in addition to standard of care, i.e., calcium 1000 mg/day and cholecalciferol 1000 IU/day) or only standard of care (control). The primary endpoints will be change in areal BMD and frequency of incident fractures at 18 months. The secondary endpoints will be change in HR-pQCT parameters, TBS and BTMs at 18 months. Adverse events will be recorded for all randomized participants. The study has been approved by the Institute Ethics Committee. Written informed consent will be obtained from each participant. The trial is expected to provide information regarding optimal anti-osteoporotic therapy in people with T2D and bone fragility. Prospectively registered in Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2022/02/039978).

Bone Health Care Pathway for Non-metastatic Prostate Cancer Patients on Radiation and Androgen Deprivation Therapy.

Survival rates of prostate cancer (PCa) patients have improved considerably as a result of earlier diagnosis and therapies, including radiotherapy (RT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Patients on ADT develop cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL) and a high risk of fragility fractures. Bone health (BH) assessment is strongly recommended, together with timely initiation of treatments, to counteract CTIBL and preserve bone strength. Therefore, we decided to develop an interdisciplinary pathway of care (IPC) dedicated to non-metastatic PCa patients on long-term ADT and RT. An interdisciplinary team allocated resources to support an IPC to manage patients' CTIBL and prevent fragility fractures. The team provided a diagnostic and therapeutic workflow according to patients' and professional perspectives, consistent with recommendations and healthcare policies. The hospital's quality department certified the IPC, the Ethical Committee approved procedures over the workflow. The Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) standards inspired services and professionals' activities and interactions. Preliminary data support the feasibility of the IPC from professionals' and patients' perspectives. Median age of the enrolled patients was 75 years, more than a half (58.9%) had low grade osteopenia or normal BMD (T-score ≥-1.5 standard deviation, SD), while 23.5% and 17.6% had osteoporosis and osteopenia, respectively. The IPC meets the requirements of a FLS concerning crucial indicators. Our IPC was a suitable approach to assure timely identification, assessment, initiation, and monitoring of adherence to anti-fracture treatments among non-metastatic PCa patients on long-term ADT and RT. Further data are required to show its effectiveness on fragility fracture prevention.

Age-specific bone turnover prevalence in women with post-menopausal osteoporosis: possibilities of traditional plant therapy during COVID-19 pandemic

Post-menopausal osteoporosis is a chronic age-related illness marked by a decrease of bone density and quality, as well as a higher risk of fragility fractures. Fragility fractures are recognized to have a major impact on individuals and society both personal and financially. In recent years, it has been a hidden epidemic impacting over 200 million people globally. It is claimed that one osteoporosis fracture happens every three seconds throughout the world. The termination of ovarian hormone production, which causes rapid bone loss, puts postmenopausal women at greater risk of developing osteoporosis. The gradual changes in structure, quality and density of the bones lead to the fracture and a rise in morbidity and death among menopausal women. Interventions that enhance a woman’s well-being and quality of life by reducing the intensity and frequency of post-menopausal osteoporosis. Hormone therapy is helpful in managing menopausal symptoms; nevertheless, it has been linked to a number of potentially significant side effects, including the development of ovarian and breast cancer. As a result, there has been an increase in demand for alternative treatment options. Plant species with potential antiosteoporosis characteristics are highlighted and further discussed in order to aid future medication development for treating this illness. Many plants and there components have been demonstrated to have antiosteoporosis action based on a vast number of chemical and pharmacological studies. Plant-derived molecules have lately piqued the curiosity of researchers working on novel medicinal agents. As a result, therapeutic interventions that can delay reduce or prevent bone loss in ageing people, especially postmenopausal women, are essential to a person’s well-being and quality of life. The plants included in this review are those that have been frequently used in traditional medicine and have shown clinical efficacy in the management of post-menopausal osteoporosis. While numerous plants can prevent and treat osteoporosis, only a fraction of plants have been discussed, including their origin, active components, and pharmacological activity, we evaluated the challenges and methods utilized in the therapy of postmenopausal osteoporosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An Epidemiological Analysis of Orthopedic Fractures, a Retrospective Single-Center Study from Jordan

Background: Studies on musculoskeletal fractures are limited in Jordan. Therefore, this study includes all orthopedic fractures in the tertiary center from Jordan. Fractures are evaluated for etiologies, age distribution, gender, mechanism of injury, and associated injuries. Therefore, this could assist in discovering the needs of our healthcare system and endorse recommendations on fracture treatment and prevention. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 3,387 fractures admitted from July 2018 to December 2021 at King Hussein Medical City in Amman, the capital of Jordan. Fractures were assessed regarding age, gender, mechanism of injury and variation across years. Fractures were allocated into eleven bones where forearm, hand, leg and foot were considered individual bones to facilitate analysis. Results: The males represented 57.8% of patients. The lower limb was affected in 47.4%, the femur was the most commonly affected bone (26.6%), and the proximal femur accounted for 20.9% of all fractures. Men were more likely to sustain injuries to long bone, hand and foot injuries, while women were at higher risk of fragility fractures. Most hospitalizations were in patients over the age of fifty. Two-thirds of injuries were induced by simple falls. Open fractures were reported in 7.3% of fractures and neurological and vascular injuries in 1.9% and 1.5%, respectively. Conclusions: Multicenter and epidemiological studies are needed to adequately assess orthopedic fractures in Jordan so that we can establish guidelines for fracture prevention and treatment.

Pharmacological, Nutritional, and Rehabilitative Interventions to Improve the Complex Management of Osteoporosis in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Narrative Review.

Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent condition affecting a growing number of patients affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with crucial implications for risk of fragility fractures, hospitalization, and mortality. Several risk factors have been identified to have a role in osteoporosis development in COPD patients, including corticosteroid therapy, systemic inflammation, smoke, physical activity levels, malnutrition, and sarcopenia. In this scenario, a personalized multitarget intervention focusing on the pathological mechanisms underpinning osteoporosis is mandatory to improve bone health in these frail patients. Specifically, physical exercise, nutritional approach, dietary supplements, and smoke cessation are the cornerstone of the lifestyle approach to osteoporosis in COPD patients, improving not only bone health but also physical performance and balance. On the other hand, pharmacological treatment should be considered for both the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in patients at higher risk of fragility fractures. Despite these considerations, several barriers still affect the integration of a personalized approach to managing osteoporosis in COPD patients. However, digital innovation solutions and telemedicine might have a role in optimizing sustainable networking between hospital assistance and community settings to improve bone health and reduce sanitary costs of the long-term management of COPD patients with osteoporosis.

Risk of fragility fractures in individuals with diabetes. An observational and Mendelian randomization study

Background and Aims : Smaller observational studies indicate that individuals with diabetes have a high risk of fragility fractures, possibly because of microvascular disease. We aimed 1) to investigate the observational risk of fragility fractures in individuals with diabetes, and 2) to use Mendelian randomization to assess whether glucose levels have a causal effect on fragility fracture risk.

Gaps and alternative surgical and non-surgical approaches in the bone fragility management: an updated review.

Osteoporotic fractures are one of the major problems facing healthcare systems worldwide. Undoubtedly, fragility fractures of the hip represent a far greater burden in terms of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs than other fracture sites. However, despite the significant impact on the health and quality of life of older adults, there is a general lack of awareness of osteoporosis, which results in suboptimal care. In fact, most high-risk individuals are never identified and do not receive adequate treatment, leading to further fragility fractures and worsening health status. Furthermore, considering the substantial treatment gap and the proven cost-effectiveness of fracture prevention programs such as Fracture Liaison Services, urgent action is needed to ensure that all individuals at high risk of fragility fracture are adequately assessed and treated. Based on this evidence, the aim of our review was to (i) provide an overview and comparison of the burden and management of fragility fractures, highlighting the main gaps, and (ii) highlight the importance of using alternative approaches, both surgical and non-surgical, with the aim of implementing early prevention of osteoporotic fractures and improving the management of osteoporotic patients at imminent and/or very high risk of fracture.

1071 INCIDENCE OF RECORDED OSTEOPOROSIS, OSTEOPENIA AND FRAGILITY FRACTURE IN OLDER PEOPLE: ANALYSIS OF UK PRIMARY CARE DATA

Abstract Introduction Osteoporosis is common in later life, leading to fragility fractures associated with increased mortality, disability, and costs. There is a surprising lack of data regarding the incidence of osteoporosis. We aimed to estimate the incidence of recorded diagnosis of osteoporosis, osteopenia, and fragility fracture in older people, explore time trends in diagnosis, and differences by age, sex, and social deprivation. Method We used de-identified patient data provided as part of routine primary care (IQVIA Medical Research Database (IMRD). All patients aged 50-99y registered with THIN (The Health Improvement Network) participating practices between 1/1/2000–31/12/2018 were included. Crude incidence rates (IR) were estimated per 10,000 person-years (PY). We used Poisson regression to calculate adjusted Incidence Rate Ratios (IRR) accounting for sex, age, calendar year and deprivation. Results The IR of osteoporosis was significantly higher in women, 84.32 (95%CI 83.81–84.83) vs. 16.66 (95%CI 16.43–16.90) in men per 10,000PY. In women, recorded IR of osteoporosis reached a peak in 2009. In the adjusted model, older men in most deprived areas had a higher IRR of osteoporosis [1.67 (95% 1.59–1.74)] compared to those in least deprived areas. Women were more likely to be diagnosed with osteopenia compared to men, at any age. Incidence of osteopenia diagnosis increased over time. In the adjusted model, men in most deprived areas had a higher IRR of osteopenia [1.44 (95%CI 1.35–1.53)] compared to least deprived areas. The IR of fragility fracture was higher in women, 84.97 (95%CI 84.45–85.48) vs. 31.15 (95%CI 30.83–31.48) in men per 10,000PY. In the adjusted model, men in most deprived areas had an increased IRR of fragility fracture [1.53 (95%CI 1.48–1.59)] compared to least deprived areas. Conclusion Community bone health interventions might be targeted at populations at higher risk of fragility fractures, including older men living in socially deprived areas.

Bone Health in Children with Rheumatic Disorders: Focus on Molecular Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Management.

Bone is an extremely dynamic and adaptive tissue, whose metabolism and homeostasis is influenced by many different hormonal, mechanical, nutritional, immunological and pharmacological stimuli. Genetic factors significantly affect bone health, through their influence on bone cells function, cartilage quality, calcium and vitamin D homeostasis, sex hormone metabolism and pubertal timing. In addition, optimal nutrition and physical activity contribute to bone mass acquisition in the growing age. All these factors influence the attainment of peak bone mass, a critical determinant of bone health and fracture risk in adulthood. Secondary osteoporosis is an important issue of clinical care in children with acute and chronic diseases. Systemic autoimmune disorders, like juvenile idiopathic arthritis, can affect the skeletal system, causing reduced bone mineral density and high risk of fragility fractures during childhood. In these patients, multiple factors contribute to reduce bone strength, including systemic inflammation with elevated cytokines, reduced physical activity, malabsorption and nutritional deficiency, inadequate daily calcium and vitamin D intake, use of glucocorticoids, poor growth and pubertal delay. In juvenile arthritis, osteoporosis is more prominent at the femoral neck and radius compared to the lumbar spine. Nevertheless, vertebral fractures are an important, often asymptomatic manifestation, especially in glucocorticoid-treated patients. A standardized diagnostic approach to the musculoskeletal system, including prophylaxis, therapy and follow up, is therefore mandatory in at risk children. Here we discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in skeletal homeostasis and the influence of inflammation and chronic disease on bone metabolism.

Bridging the Gap: Bone Health Education for Specialists

Our recent scoping review of the perceptions about the importance of treating fractures and osteoporosis among key stakeholders showed the literature on the perceptions of specialist physicians is very limited. Existing literature suggests that recognition of fragility fractures as a sign of underlying bone disease is still low, even among physicians. To increase awareness of osteoporosis as the underlying cause of fragility fracture among specialist physicians who treat patients at high risk of fragility fracture. We have produced a series of educational modules directed at the specialists who would typically treat patients with an increased risk of osteoporosis and fragility fracture due to glucocorticoid use, a plethora of medical conditions or immobility. N/A We are looking to present these materials across the Asia Pacific region in 2022 and beyond. The modules will be available free of charge through the Asia Pacific Fragility Fracture Alliance website ( https://apfracturealliance.org ) and we encourage leaders of all specialties to help raise awareness and increase the rates of osteoporosis identification, diagnosis and management in at-risk populations.

Bone biopsy findings in patients receiving long-term bisphosphonate therapy for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

Bisphosphonates (BPs) have been shown to reduce the incidence of vertebral fractures during the first year or two of glucocorticoid (GC) treatments and are therefore recommended as a first-line treatment for GC-induced osteoporosis (GIO). However, there are theoretical concerns about the long-term use of BPs in low-turnover osteoporosis caused by chronic GC therapy. We analyzed the trabecular microarchitecture, bone metabolism, and material strength of iliac crest bone biopsy samples from 10 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis who received an average of 6.7years of BP therapy for GIO (GIOBP group), compared with those of 10 age- and bone mineral density (BMD)-matched non-rheumatoid arthritis postmenopausal women (reference group). Patients in the GIOBP group had a significantly greater fracture severity index, as calculated from the number and the extent of vertebral fractures compared with the reference patients. Micro-computed tomography analysis showed that the degree of mineralization and trabecular microarchitecture were significantly lower in the GIOBP group than in the reference patients. Patients in the GIOBP group exhibited lower bone contact stiffness, determined by micro-indentation testing, than in the reference group. The contact stiffness of the bone was negatively correlated with the fracture severity index and the daily prednisolone dosage. Immunohistochemistry and serum bone turnover markers showed decreased osteoclastic activity, impaired mineralization, and an increased fraction of empty lacunae in the GIOBP group. Our findings indicate that patients receiving long-term BP for GIO are still at high risk for fragility fractures because of poor bone quality.

Sarcopenic Dysphagia, Malnutrition, and Oral Frailty in Elderly: A Comprehensive Review

Frailty is a highly prevalent condition in the elderly that has been increasingly considered as a crucial public health issue, due to the strict correlation with a higher risk of fragility fractures, hospitalization, and mortality. Among the age-related diseases, sarcopenia and dysphagia are two common pathological conditions in frail older people and could coexist leading to dehydration and malnutrition in these subjects. “Sarcopenic dysphagia” is a complex condition characterized by deglutition impairment due to the loss of mass and strength of swallowing muscles and might be also related to poor oral health status. Moreover, the aging process is strictly related to poor oral health status due to direct impairment of the immune system and wound healing and physical and cognitive impairment might indirectly influence older people’s ability to carry out adequate oral hygiene. Therefore, poor oral health might affect nutrient intake, leading to malnutrition and, consequently, to frailty. In this scenario, sarcopenia, dysphagia, and oral health are closely linked sharing common pathophysiological pathways, disabling sequelae, and frailty. Thus, the aim of the present comprehensive review is to describe the correlation among sarcopenic dysphagia, malnutrition, and oral frailty, characterizing their phenotypically overlapping features, to propose a comprehensive and effective management of elderly frail subjects.