Low Fragility Research Articles

Chronic kidney disease and osteoporosis: evaluation and management.

Fractures across the stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) could be due to osteoporosis, some form of renal osteodystrophy defined by specific quantitative histomorphometry or chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). CKD-MBD is a systemic disease that links disorders of mineral and bone metabolism due to CKD to either one or all of the following: abnormalities of calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone or vitamin D metabolism; abnormalities in bone turnover, mineralization, volume, linear growth or strength; or vascular or other soft-tissue calcification. Osteoporosis, as defined by The National Institutes of Health, may coexist with renal osteodystrophy or CKD-MBD. Differentiation among these disorders is required to manage correctly the correct disorder to reduce the risk of fractures. While the World Health Organization (WHO) BMD criteria for osteoporosis can be used in patients with stages 1-3 CKD, the disorders of bone turnover become so aberrant by stages 4 and 5 CKD that neither the WHO criteria nor the occurrence of a fragility fracture can be used for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. The diagnosis of osteoporosis in stages 4 and 5 CKD is one of the exclusion-excluding either renal osteodystrophy or CKD-MBD as the cause of low BMD or fragility fractures. Differentiations among the disorders of renal osteodystrophy, CKD-MBD or osteoporosis are dependent on the measurement of specific biochemical markers, including serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and/or quantitative bone histomorphometry. Management of fractures in stages 1-3 CKD does not differ in persons with or without CKD with osteoporosis assuming there is no evidence for CKD-MBD, clinically suspected by elevated PTH, hyperphosphatemia or fibroblast growth factor 23 due to CKD. Treatment of fractures in persons with osteoporosis and stages 4 and 5 CKD is not evidence based, with the exception of post hoc analysis suggesting efficacy and safety of specific osteoporosis therapies (alendronate, risedronate and denosumab) in stage 4 CKD. This review also discusses how to diagnose and manage fragility fractures across the five stages of CKD.

Concentration and temperature dependence of the viscosity of polyol aqueous solutions

The concentration and temperature dependence of the viscosity of supercooled polyol (sucrose, trehalose, glucose and glycerol) aqueous solutions was analyzed with the aim of finding simple and accurate correlation equations for the description of this transport property. Three different equations were examined and compared, two empirical equations and an equation derived from the Avramov–Milchev (AM) model. If a description of the viscosity temperature dependence is intended, the AM model gives the best representation of the experimental data with only two adjustable parameters, which have a clear physical meaning. However, if we focus on both, temperature and concentration dependence, the empirical equations are found to be superior to the AM model, except for the glycerol aqueous system. The AM model includes a parameter related to the system fragility, which was obtained for all the aqueous polyol mixtures previously mentioned as a function of concentration, and also for water–trehalose–sodium tetraborate mixtures as a function of the electrolyte content. The results show that the fragility parameter increases with polyol concentration in the series glycerol<glucose∼sucrose<trehalose, and that the addition of sodium tetraborate to aqueous trehalose solutions increases the fragility of the mixtures. Our results imply that the hypothesis relating the low fragility of the aqueous mixtures with their high cryo or dehydroprotection capabilities is not valid.

Low Bone Mineral Density and Fragility Fractures in Permanent Vegetative State Patients

Disuse of the musculoskeletal system causes bone loss. Whether patients in vegetative state, a dramatic example of immobilization after severe brain injury, suffer from bone loss and fractures is currently unknown. Serum markers of bone turnover, bone mineral density (BMD) measurements, and clinical data were cross-sectionally analyzed in 30 consecutive vegetative state patients of a dedicated apallic care unit between 2003 and 2007 and compared with age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Vegetative state patients showed low calcium levels and vitamin D deficiency compared with healthy controls. Serum bone turnover markers revealed high turnover as evidenced by markedly elevated carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-crosslaps) and increased levels of alkaline phosphatase. BMD measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning showed strongly decreased T- and Z-scores for hip and spine. Over a period of 5 years, 8 fragility fractures occurred at peripheral sites in 6 of 30 patients (n = 3 femur, n = 2 tibia, n = 2 fibula, n = 1 humerus). In conclusion, high bone turnover and low BMD is highly prevalent in vegetative state patients, translating into a clinically relevant problem as shown by fragility fractures in 20% of patients over a time period of 5 years. .

Quantification of lower leg arterial calcifications by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography

Vascular calcifications and bone health seem to be etiologically linked via common risk factors such as aging and subclinical chronic inflammation. Epidemiologic studies have shown significant associations between low bone mineral density (BMD), fragility fractures and calcifications of the coronary arteries and the abdominal aorta. In the last decade, high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) has emerged as in-vivo research tool for the assessment of peripheral bone geometry, density, and microarchitecture. Although vascular calcifications are frequently observed as incidental findings in HR-pQCT scans, they have not yet been incorporated into quantitative HR-pQCT analyses. We developed a semi-automated algorithm to quantify lower leg arterial calcifications (LLACs), captured by HR-pQCT. The objective of our study was to determine validity and reliability of the LLAC measure.HR-pQCT scans were downscaled to a voxel size of 250μm. After subtraction of bone volumes from the scans, LLACs were detected and contoured by a semi-automated, dual-threshold seed-point segmentation. LLAC mass (in mg hydroxyapatite; HA) was calculated as the product of voxel-based calcification volume (mm3) and mean calcification density (mgHA/cm3)/1000. To determine validity, we compared LLACs to coronary artery calcifications (CACs), as quantified by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and Agatston scoring in forty-six patients on chronic hemodialysis. Moreover, we investigated associations of LLACs with age, time on dialysis, type-2 diabetes mellitus, history of stroke, and myocardial infarction. In a second step, we determined intra- and inter-reader reliability of the LLAC measure.In the validity study, LLACs were present (>0mgHA) in 76% of patients, 78% of patients had CACs (>0mgHA). Median LLAC was 6.65 (0.08–24.40)mgHA and median CAC as expressed by Agatston score was 266.3 (15.88–1877.28). We found a significant positive correlation between LLAC and CAC (rho=0.6; p<0.01). Dialysis patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM; 35%) and history of stroke (13%) had higher median LLAC than patients without those conditions (DM 20.0 fold greater, p=0.006; Stroke 5.1 fold greater, p=0.047). LLAC was positively correlated with time on dialysis (rho=0.337, p=0.029), there was a trend towards a positive association of LLAC and age (rho=0.289, p=0.053). The reliability study yielded excellent intra- and inter-reader agreement of the LLAC measure (intra-reader ICC=0.999, 95% CI=0.998–1.000; inter-reader ICC=0.998, 95% CI=0.994–0.999).Our study indicates that the LLAC measure has good validity and excellent reliability. The use of HR-pQCT for the simultaneous evaluation of arterial calcifications, peripheral bone geometry, bone density, and bone microarchitecture should facilitate future research on osteo-vascular interactions and potential associations with cardiovascular events.

Liquid–liquid transition in a strong bulk metallic glass-forming liquid

Polymorphic phase transitions are common in crystalline solids. Recent studies suggest that phase transitions may also exist between two liquid forms with different entropy and structure. Such a liquid-liquid transition has been investigated in various substances including water, Al2O3-Y2O3 and network glass formers. However, the nature of liquid-liquid transition is debated due to experimental difficulties in avoiding crystallization and/or measuring at high temperatures/pressures. Here we report the thermodynamic and structural evidence of a temperature-induced weak first-order liquid-liquid transition in a bulk metallic glass-forming system Zr(41.2)Ti(13.8)Cu(12.5)Ni10Be(22.5) characterized by non- (or weak) directional bonds. Our experimental results suggest that the local structural changes during the transition induce the drastic viscosity changes without a detectable density anomaly. These changes are correlated with a heat capacity maximum in the liquid. Our findings support the hypothesis that the 'strong' kinetics (low fragility) of a liquid may arise from an underlying lambda transition above its glass transition.

Prevalence of subclinical contributors to low bone mineral density and/or fragility fracture

The prevalence of subclinical contributors to low bone mineral density (BMD) and/or fragility fracture is debated. We evaluated the prevalence of subclinical contributors to low BMD and/or fragility fracture in the presence of normal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHVitD) levels. Prospective observational study. Among 1095 consecutive outpatients evaluated for low BMD and/or fragility fractures, 602 (563 females, age 65.4±10.0 years) with apparent primary osteoporosis were enrolled. A general chemistry profile, phosphate, 25OHVitD, cortisol after 1-mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test, antitissue transglutaminase and endomysial antibodies and testosterone (in males) were performed. Serum and urinary calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were also evaluated after 25OHVitD levels normalization. Vertebral deformities were assessed by radiograph. In total, 70.8% of patients had low 25OHVitD levels. Additional subclinical contributors to low BMD and/or fragility fracture were diagnosed in 45% of patients, with idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH, 34.1%) and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT, 4.5%) being the most frequent contributors, apart from hypovitaminosis D. Furthermore, 33.2% of IH and 18.5% of PHPT patients were diagnosed only after 25OHVitD levels normalization. The subclinical contributors to low BMD and/or fragility fracture besides hypovitaminosis D were associated inversely with age (odds ratio (OR) 1.02, 95% CI 1-1.04, P=0.04) and BMI (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.05-1.17, P=0.0001) and directly with fragility fractures (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.31-2.73, P=0.001), regardless of BMD. Subclinical contributors to low BMD and/or fragility fracture besides hypovitaminosis D are present in more than 40% of the subjects with apparent primary osteoporosis. Hypovitaminosis D masks a substantial proportion of IH and PHPT patients.

Prevalence and Predictors of Low Bone Mineral Density in Males With Ulcerative Colitis

Low bone mineral density (BMD) is common in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and the predictors of low BMD (osteoporosis or osteopenia) and fragility fractures among men with ulcerative colitis. This was a retrospective database analysis. The study was conducted at a nationwide Veterans Affairs health care system. Male ulcerative colitis patients who were followed up in the Veterans Affairs system between 2001 and 2011 were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision (ICD-9). We identified patients with low BMD and fragility fractures using ICD-9 codes. Steroid exposure was assessed using pharmacy data. A multivariate analysis was used to identify the independent effect of systemic steroids on the risk of low BMD and fragility fractures. We identified 34 665 patients. Among them, 31% used steroids. The prevalence of low BMD was 15.8% and 7.1% among those who used and did not use steroids, respectively (P < .001). Prevalence of fragility fractures was 7.9%, 4.4%, and 1.1% for those with osteoporosis and osteopenia and those without low BMD, respectively (P < .001). Steroid exposure showed a dose-response pattern, patients who had cumulative prednisone exposure of greater than 11 136 mg (10th decile) were more likely to develop low BMD (odds ratio 8.9, P < .001) and fragility fractures (odds ratio 1.8, P < .001) as compared with non-steroid users after controlling for other possible predictors. In this nationwide cohort, the prevalence of low BMD was higher than what was reported for the general male population. There was a strong correlation between the cumulative steroid use and the risk of low BMD. Both steroids and low BMD were independent risk factors for fragility fractures.

Medical Management of Osteoporosis When Bisphosphonates Fail

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass, bone fragility and subsequent increased risk for fractures. Bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed drug for treatment of osteoporosis, and they have been shown to be effective in reducing risk of vertebral, nonvertebral, and hip fractures. Some patients, however, are not good candidates for bisphosphonate therapy, either due to comorbities such as renal insufficiency, or due to ongoing fractures despite therapy. In either case, multiple other agents can be used to treat osteoporosis. In this article we will review the FDA-approved therapies to treat osteoporosis other than bisphosphonates, and we will highlight the most recent clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of these various agents.

Health care costs of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fragility fractures in Mexico

Different sources were used to estimate the 2010 health care costs of managing low bone density (osteopenia/osteoporosis) plus caring fragility fractures in Mexico at 411 million USD. Figures are projected to rise 42 % by 2020. Preventive and timely interventions are required to decrease the financial burden of these entities. Osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fragility fractures (FF) are a public health concern. The study purpose was to estimate the health care costs of these conditions in Mexico during 2010 and project them to 2015 and 2020. Prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis was derived from international data. The Mexican version of FRAX® algorithm was used to assess risk for a major FF (hip, clinical spine, forearm, and proximal humerus) in osteopenic and osteoporotic population aged over 40 years. The estimates were applied to national demographic projections. Only direct medical costs composed by routine non-pharmacological management of osteopenia/osteoporosis besides the costs owing to medical care of major FF were considered into the analysis. Resource use for managing osteopenia/osteoporosis was defined from local sources (clinical practice guidelines, published literature, and expert opinion); unit costs were gathered from official lists. Costs for medical care of FF were based on diagnosis-related groups. In population aged ≥40 years, prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in 2010 was 32.8 and 8 %, respectively. A total of 75,763 FF occurred that year. Costs of managing osteopenia and osteoporosis were 154.9 million USD, whereas medical costs due to FF reached 256.2 million USD. Therefore, the annual health care costs of these entities in 2010 were 411 million USD. Total costs will be 19.2 % higher in 2015, and by 2020, the figures will have increased by 41.7 %. Low bone density entails substantial epidemiological and financial burden in Mexico, and their impact will grow considerably during the next years.

Charge-transfer-enhanced prism-type local order in amorphous Mg65Cu25Y10: Short-to-medium-range structural evolution underlying liquid fragility and heat capacity

Using classical and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, we have probed into the atomic and electronic structures of an amorphous Mg alloy, Mg65Cu25Y10, as a representative of Mg alloys that form bulk metallic glasses (MGs). Different from some MGs where the icosahedral motifs are the key coordination polyhedra, here the featured short-range order (SRO) is dominated by Cu-centered bicapped square antiprisms and tricapped trigonal prisms. Bond shortening is observed for Mg–Cu and Y–Cu bonds, due to appreciable charge transfer that imparts an ionic character to the bonding. This enhances their chemical affinity, accentuating Cu-centered motifs analogous to solute-centered prisms in metal–metalloid MGs in this all-metal system. The prism-type SRO is prevalent even at high temperatures in the (supercooled) liquids, as revealed from the inherent structures. A weak temperature dependence is observed for the degree of characteristic SRO with undercooling, as well as for the development of connections of the motifs in the medium range. Such a structural evolution is contrasted with the rapidly ascending icosahedral order in Cu64Zr36 supercooled liquids, and explains the much more shallow specific heat curve as well as the low fragility of the Mg65Cu25Y10 supercooled liquid.

Response of Poultry Agribusiness Risk to Financial Fragility and Macroeconomic Shocks in Nigeria (2004-2009)

Abstract Financial Fragility and Macroeconomic shocks make poultry agribusiness vulnerable to risk (unsteady profit). This tends to dampen investment drive and inhabits aggregate growth in the poultry sub-sector in Nigeria. To address this problem, time series data of 6 years (2004-2009) were collected from 200 randomly selected poultry farms. Multiple regression and t-test were used to analyse the collected data. T-test of return on investment shows that poultry agribusiness has low financial fragility and could be resilient enough to withstand macro-economic shocks. Co-integration results indicate that poultry agribusiness risks moves together with inflation rate, interest rates and real exchange rate. According to the results of vector autoregressive (VAR) test, it is shown that poultry agri-business risk is sensitive to macroeconomic shocks. But with sound financial structure, poultry agribusiness will be able to withstand financial fragility. The impacts-response analysis shows that increase in macroeconomic distortions leads to increase in poultry agribusiness risk in Nigeria. The results of study provided information on how macro economic shocks and fragile financial structure can trigger risk in poultry agribusiness sector. This information is very crucial to effective policy making and economic planning that will bring development to the poultry sector and the Nigerian economy. Factor analysis confirmed that inflation rate (0.0039) and interest rates (0.1218) are the significant distortion factors (P &lt; 0.01) that exert more impact on poultry agribusiness risk. Regulated interest and inflation rates would stabilize earnings and lead to growth in poultry agribusiness in Nigeria.

Modeling the Flexural Rigidity of Rod Photoreceptors

In vertebrate eyes, the rod photoreceptor has a modified cilium with an extended cylindrical structure specialized for phototransduction called the outer segment (OS). The OS has numerous stacked membrane disks and can bend or break when subjected to mechanical forces. The OS exhibits axial structural variation, with extended bands composed of a few hundred membrane disks whose thickness is diurnally modulated. Using high-resolution confocal microscopy, we have observed OS flexing and disruption in live transgenic Xenopus rods. Based on the experimental observations, we introduce a coarse-grained model of OS mechanical rigidity using elasticity theory, representing the axial OS banding explicitly via a spring-bead model. We calculate a bending stiffness of ∼105 nN⋅μm2, which is seven orders-of-magnitude larger than that of typical cilia and flagella. This bending stiffness has a quadratic relation to OS radius, so that thinner OS have lower fragility. Furthermore, we find that increasing the spatial frequency of axial OS banding decreases OS rigidity, reducing its fragility. Moreover, the model predicts a tendency for OS to break in bands with higher spring number density, analogous to the experimental observation that transgenic rods tended to break preferentially in bands of high fluorescence. We discuss how pathological alterations of disk membrane properties by mutant proteins may lead to increased OS rigidity and thus increased breakage, ultimately contributing to retinal degeneration.

Bisphophonates in CKD Patients with Low Bone Mineral Density

Patients with chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) have a high risk of bone fracture because of low bone mineral density and poor bone quality. Osteoporosis also features low bone mass, disarranged microarchitecture, and skeletal fragility, and differentiating between osteoporosis and CKD-MBD in low bone mineral density is a challenge and usually achieved by bone biopsy. Bisphosphonates can be safe and beneficial for patients with a glomerular filtration rate of 30 mL/min or higher, but prescribing bisphosphonates in advanced CKD requires caution because of the increased possibility of low bone turnover disorders such as osteomalacia, mixed uremic osteodystrophy, and adynamic bone, even aggravating hyperparathyroidism. Therefore, bone biopsy in advanced CKD is an important consideration before prescribing bisphosphonates. Treatment also may induce hypocalcemia in CKD patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism, but vitamin D supplementation may ameliorate this effect. Bisphosphonate treatment can improve both bone mineral density and vascular calcification, but the latter becomes more unlikely in patients with stage 3-4 CKD with vascular calcification but no decreased bone mineral density. Using bisphosphonates requires considerable caution in advanced CKD, and the lack of adequate clinical investigation necessitates more studies regarding its effects on these patients.

Shake table tests for seismic assessment of suspended continuous ceilings

After an earthquake, the failure of suspended ceiling systems is one of the most widely reported types of nonstructural damage in building structures. Since suspended ceiling systems are not amenable to traditional structural analysis, full-scale experimental testing is planned and executed. In particular, shaking table tests are performed in order to investigate the seismic behaviour of plasterboard continuous suspended ceilings under strong earthquakes. Two kinds of ceiling systems, named single frame ceiling and double frame ceiling, are tested. A steel test frame is properly designed in order to simulate the seismic effects at a generic building storey. A set of five accelerograms, used as input for the shakings, are selected matching the target response spectrum provided by the U.S. code for nonstructural components. Three limit states (occupancy, damage and life safety limit state) are considered in this study in order to characterize the seismic response of suspended ceiling systems. The tested ceilings show no damage at all intensity levels, evidencing a low fragility. Three main aspects may be the cause of this low vulnerability: (a) the continuous nature of the tested ceilings; (b) the dense steel channel grid that supports the plasterboard panels; (c) the large number of hangers that connects the ceiling system to the roof, avoiding any vertical movement of the ceilings. Finally, an interesting comparison is made with a previous vulnerability study on a different typical U.S. ceiling system.

Thermal stability and mechanical properties of Cu46Zr46Ag8 bulk metallic glass and its composites

The glass-forming ability (GFA), the thermal stability and the crystallization behavior of Cu46Zr46Ag8 metallic glass and the thermal stability of the competing metastable B2 CuZr phase were investigated in order to fabricate the corresponding shape memory bulk metallic glass (BMG) composites based on a new prediction strategy. A rather large supercooled liquid region and a relatively low liquid fragility indicate a quite high thermal stability of the present glass. With the addition of Ag to Cu50Zr50 alloy, it becomes more difficult for the metastable B2 phase to decompose into the room-temperature equilibrium phases and to transform into martensitic phases during quenching. Based on these insights, a Cu46Zr46Ag8 BMG and its composites with different volume fractions of in situ precipitated B2 crystals were fabricated by carefully controlling the casting process. The BMG composites exhibit a larger plasticity and obvious work hardening compared to the monolithic BMG, which can be attributed to the formation of multiple shear bands and a deformation-induced martensitic transformation (MT) within the B2 crystals.

Cervical vertebral fracture in a patient with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and osteopoikilosis

Cervical vertebral fracture in a patient with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and osteopoikilosis

Lycopene supplementation improved bone mineral density, bone resorption and oxidative stress markers in postmenopausal women: The CEOR study

Lycopene supplementation improved bone mineral density, bone resorption and oxidative stress markers in postmenopausal women: The CEOR study

Clinical practice guidelines for evaluation and treatment of osteoporosis associated to endocrine and nutritional conditions

ObjectiveTo provide practical recommendations for evaluation and treatment of osteoporosis associated to endocrine diseases and nutritional conditions. ParticipantsMembers of the Bone Metabolism Working Group of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology, a methodologist, and a documentalist. MethodsRecommendations were formulated according to the GRADE system (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) to describe both the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence. A systematic search was made in MEDLINE (Pubmed), using the following terms associated to the name of each condition: AND “osteoporosis”, “fractures”, “bone mineral density”, and “treatment”. Papers in English with publication date before 18 October 2011 were included. Current evidence for each disease was reviewed by two group members, and doubts, related to the review process or development of recommendations were resolved by the methodologist. Finally, recommendations were discussed in a meeting of the Working Group. ConclusionsThe document provides evidence-based practical recommendations for evaluation and management of endocrine and nutritional diseases associated to low bone mass or an increased risk of fracture. For each disease, the associated risk of low bone mass and fragility fractures is given, recommendations for bone mass assessment are provided, and treatment options that have shown to be effective for increasing bone mass and/or to decreasing fragility fractures are listed.

Guías de práctica clínica para la evaluación y tratamiento de la osteoporosis asociada a enfermedades endocrinas y nutricionales

ObjectiveTo provide practical recommendations for evaluation and treatment of osteoporosis associated to endocrine diseases and nutritional conditions. ParticipantsMembers of the Bone Metabolism Working Group of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology, a methodologist, and a documentalist. MethodsRecommendations were formulated according to the GRADE system (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) to describe both the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence. A systematic search was made in MEDLINE (Pubmed), using the following terms associated to the name of each condition: AND “osteoporosis”, “fractures”, “bone mineral density”, and “treatment”. Papers in English with publication date before 18 October 2011 were included. Current evidence for each disease was reviewed by two group members, and doubts related to the review process or development of recommendations were resolved by the methodologist. Finally, recommendations were discussed in a meeting of the Working Group. ConclusionsThe document provides evidence-based practical recommendations for evaluation and management of endocrine and nutritional diseases associated to low bone mass or an increased risk of fracture. For each disease, the associated risk of low bone mass and fragility fractures is given, recommendations for bone mass assessment are provided, and treatment options that have shown to be effective for increasing bone mass and/or to decreasing fragility fractures are listed.

The use of geotechnologies in the landscape fragility analysis of medium lower Araguari river basin, Brazil

Se presenta la cartografía de la fragilidad ambiental de la cuenca media-baja del río Araguari, Estado deMinas Gerais - Brasil, a través del análisis de las variables de la cuenca hidrográfica, tales como formasdel terreno, rocas, suelos, uso del suelo y vegetación. Las bases metodológicas de la investigación sesustentaron en la Teoría General de Sistemas, la Ecología de Paisaje y la Geomorfología Ambiental,junto con la aplicación de tecnologías geoespaciales y SIG. A partir del análisis sistémico y holísticodel paisaje, fue posible elaborar mapas que representan los aspectos ambientales del área estudiada,posibilitando con ello la correlación y la generación de los mapas de fragilidad del paisaje. El objetivode esta investigación es probar una metodología para la evaluación de la fragilidad natural a losprocesos de erosión, mediante la correlación de variables en un ambiente SIG. Se utilizó el métodode Superposición Ponderada para obtener los parámetros de asignación. Los resultados aportaron dostipos de información, la debilidad natural potencial de la cuenca, con una distribución de 39,30%de la superficie total de la cuenca con Baja Fragilidad, 29,20% con Media Fragilidad y 26,37% conAlta Fragilidad. Un segundo análisis, agregando las actividades humanas como agentes que afectan yfavorecen el desarrollo de los procesos de erosión, demostró existe un 47,35% de la superficie totalcon Media Fragilidad y 39,28% de la superficie total con Baja fragilidad de la cuenca hidrográfica.