Osteopenic Bone Mineral Density Research Articles

FRI180 Prevalence Of Vertebral Fractures In Patients With Adrenal Adenomas

Abstract Disclosure: H. Han: None. H. Lam: None. S.D. Rao: None. S. Athimulam: None. Background: Approximately 5% of adults undergoing cross-sectional imaging are reported to have an adrenal adenoma. Although most adenomas are considered non-functioning (NFAT), up to 48% can present with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). Published studies have reported an increased prevalence of vertebral fractures (VFx) in MACS. However, findings are limited by sample size, selection bias and lack of diversity in patient population. Objective: To determine the prevalence of vertebral fractures and associated risk factors in patients with adrenal adenomas Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study of patients with adrenal adenomas over a 10-year period (Jan 2012 - Dec 2021). Setting: Academic primary and tertiary care setting Main outcomes measured: 1) MACS was diagnosed based on cortisol level ≥ 1.8cmg/dL after overnight 1mg dexamethasone suppression testing (DST) and NFAT if cortisol < 1.8mcg/dL. Patients who did not undergo 1mg DST were categorized as unknown cortisol status (UCS).2) Bone mineral density (BMD), T- and Z-scores of the lumbar spine (LS). 3)Vertebral morphometry, as assessed by Genant scale, to identify asymptomatic vertebral fractures. Results: Preliminary results included 198 patients with adrenal adenomas [(135 women (67%) with a median age of 67y, 106 Black (54%), 83 White (42%) and 9 other races (4%)]. 74 patients (37%) were diagnosed with NFAT, 42 (21%) with MACS, and 82 (41%) with UCS. Prevalence of vertebral fractures by vertebral morphometry assessment was 6%. (n=12, 5 Black, 7 White). In those with VFx (8 UCS, 2 MACS, 2 NFAT), Black patients had lower BMD (Mean BMD ± SD in Black vs Caucasians: 0.85 ± 018 vs 1.02 ± 0.24 g/cm2, p=0.26). Overall, there was no significant difference in mean LS BMD ± SD (0.97 ± 0.23 vs 1.03 ± 0.20 g/cm2, p=0.41) and mean T-score LS ± SD (-1.11 ± 2.28 vs -0.60 ± 1.71, p=0.49), in patients with and without vertebral fractures, respectively. Conclusions: Patients with adrenal adenoma are at risk of vertebral fractures despite normal or osteopenic BMD. Black patients with adrenal adenomas and vertebral fractures have lower BMD compared to White patients. 41% (n=82, 61% AA, 30% Caucasians, 2% Other) of patients were classified as unknown cortisol status indicating further need to educate health care professionals on evaluation of adrenal adenomas to improve health care outcomes and disparities in management. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Last Word on Viewpoint: Fragile bones of elite cyclists: to treat or not to treat?

Last Word on Viewpoint: Fragile bones of elite cyclists: to treat or not to treat?

Is There an Association Between Bone Microarchitecture and Fracture in Patients who were Treated for High-grade Osteosarcoma? A Controlled Study at Long-term Follow-up Using High-resolution Peripheral Quantitative CT.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with primary osteosarcoma improves survival rates, but it also causes side effects in various organs including bone. Low bone mineral density (BMD) can occur owing partly to chemotherapy or limited mobility. This can cause a higher risk of fractures compared with those who do not receive such treatment. Changes in BMD alone cannot explain the propensity of fractures. Studying microarchitectural changes of bone might help to understand the effect. (1) Do patients who were treated for osteosarcoma (more than 20 years previously) have low BMD? (2) Do these patients experience more fractures than controls who do not have osteosarcoma? (3) What differences in bone microarchitecture are present between patients treated for high-grade osteosarcoma and individuals who have never had osteosarcoma? We contacted 48 patients who were treated for osteosarcoma and who participated in an earlier study. These patients underwent multimodal treatment including chemotherapy more than 20 years ago. Of the original patient group, 60% (29 of 48) were missing, leaving 40% (19 of 48) available for inclusion in this study; all 19 agreed to participate. There were nine men and 10 women with a mean age of 46 ± 4 years and a mean time from surgery to examination of 28 ± 3 years. BMD was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and any fracture history was assessed using a questionnaire. Additionally, high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT was performed to compare the groups in terms of microarchitectural changes, such as cortical and trabecular area, cortical and trabecular thickness, cortical porosity, and endocortical perimeter. Participants in the control group were selected from a cohort consisting of a population-based random sample of 499 healthy adult women and men. Osteoporosis or low BMD was not an exclusion criterion for entering this study; however, the patients in the control group were selected based on a normal BMD (that is, T score > -1.0 at both the spine and hip). Also, the participants were matched based on age and sex. Differences between patients and controls were assessed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables and a chi-square test for categorical variables. A multiple regression analysis was performed. Model assumptions were checked using histograms and quantile-quantile plots of residuals. Twelve of 19 patients who were treated for osteosarcoma had either osteopenia (eight patients) or osteoporosis (four patients). More patients with osteosarcoma reported sustaining fractures (11 of 19 patients) than did control patients (2 of 19 controls; p < 0.001). Among all microarchitectural parameters, only the endocortical perimeter was increased in patients compared with the control group (75 ± 15 mm versus 62 ± 18 mm; p = 0.04); we found no differences between the groups in terms of cortical and trabecular area, cortical and trabecular thickness, or cortical porosity. Although patients who were treated for osteosarcoma had osteopenic or osteoporotic BMD and a higher proportion of patients experienced fractures than did patients in the control group, we could not confirm differences in microarchitectural parameters using high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT. Therefore, it seems that bone geometry and microstructural parameters are not likely the cause of the increased proportion of fractures observed in our patients who were treated for osteosarcoma. Until we learn more about the bone changes associated with chemotherapy in patients with osteosarcoma, we recommend that patients undergo regular BMD testing, and we recommend that physicians consider osteoporosis treatment in patients with low BMD. These data might provide the impetus for future multicenter prospective studies examining the association between chemotherapy and bone microarchitecture. Level III, therapeutic study.

P117 Exploring experiences of Fracture Liaison Services and perceptions of a new decision tool to support patient and clinician decisions: a focus group study

Abstract Background/Aims The iFraP study (Improving uptake of Fracture Prevention Treatments) is developing a computerised decision-support tool to support clinician decision-making, risk communication and informed patient decision-making in Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) consultations. To inform iFraP intervention development, this study explored 1) patient and clinician experiences of FLSs and 2) perspectives towards the new iFraP tool. Methods Four focus groups and supplementary interviews included 9 FLS clinicians, 7 General Practitioners (GPs), and 8 patients who recently attended an FLS consultation. Theoretically-informed thematic analysis was conducted to facilitate understanding of current FLS practice, potential intervention acceptability and possible barriers to, and facilitators of, implementation. Results FLS clinicians and GPs suggested that FLSs worked well to identify patients at high risk of future fracture and to recommend medication. FLS clinicians were confident in their role and felt their consultations were person-centred and addressed information needs. However, some FLS clinicians described communicating risk as difficult and gave examples of when they are uncertain whether medication should be recommended (e.g. patient with osteopenic bone mineral density). FLS clinicians had varying perceptions of their roles in discussing medications, with some not viewing this as their responsibility; whereas GPs reported that medication discussions were an important aspect of the FLS clinician role. When medication recommendations (and discussion) were delivered, the setting varied across services including face-to-face in clinic or at the patient’s home, by letter, or by telephone. On the whole, patients reflected positively on their FLS appointment. However, some patients described unmet information needs, such as risk of future fractures, potential benefits and risks of medications, and information about follow-up.Many FLS clinicians and GPs reflected upon the potential value of the tool, including the inclusion of visual images to facilitate understanding of fracture risk, and to promote consistent messages across FLSs and between primary and secondary care. Barriers to intervention implementation were also identified. Clinicians expressed concern that evidence-based Cates plots to support explanations of medication effectiveness may make patients believe medications are not ‘worthwhile’. This suggests that clinicians prioritised promotion of medication adherence over informed decision-making, highlighting that the goal of FLS clinicians and iFraP may not align. Furthermore, concern was expressed that use of a computerised tool may detract from the clinician-patient relationship. Conclusion These novel findings illustrate the experience of FLS consultations from three perspectives. They highlight FLS clinicians’ clinical decision-support needs and patients’ unmet need for clear information that addresses their medication concerns. Overall, the iFraP intervention was viewed as acceptable, with the potential to support clinicians’ decision-making and to facilitate informed decision-making. Differences in FLS configuration and a move to more remote consulting may mean the intervention needs to be adaptable to different settings to address barriers to implementation. Disclosure L. Bullock: None. C. Jinks: Grants/research support; CJ is part funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West Midlands. A. Hawarden: Grants/research support; AH is a NIHR funded Academic Clinical Fellow. F. Crawford-Manning: Grants/research support; FCM is part funded by the NIHR Clinical Research Network Scholar Programme. S. Leyland: None. J. Fleming: None. E.M. Clark: None. E. Cottrell: None. J. Edwards: Grants/research support; JE is an NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in Primary Care (CL-2016-10-003). Z. Paskins: Grants/research support; ZP is funded by the NIHR, Clinician Scientist Award (CS-2018-18-ST2-010)/NIHR Academy.

Bone Mineral Density: Clinical Relevance and Quantitative Assessment.

Bone mineral density (BMD) measurement by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is an internationally accepted standard-of-care screening tool used to assess fragility-fracture risk. Society guidelines have recommended which populations may benefit from DXA screening and the use of the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) to guide decisions regarding pharmacologic treatment for osteoporosis. According to the U.S. National Osteoporosis Foundation guidelines, postmenopausal women and men at least 50 y old with osteopenic BMD warrant pharmacologic treatment if they have a FRAX-calculated 10-y probability of at least 3% for hip fracture or at least 20% for major osteoporotic fracture. Patients with osteoporosis defined by a clinical event, namely a fragility fracture, or with an osteoporotic BMD should also be treated. Patients who are treated for osteoporosis should be monitored regularly to track expected gains in BMD by serial DXA scans. With some drug therapies, BMD targets can be reached whereby further improvements in BMD are not associated with further reductions in fracture risk. Although reaching this target might suggest a stopping point for therapy, the reversibility of most treatments for osteoporosis, except for the bisphosphonates, has dampened enthusiasm for this approach. In the case of denosumab, it is now apparent that stopping therapy at any point can lead to an increase in multiple-fracture risk. For patients who do not respond to antiosteoporosis pharmacologic therapy with an improvement in BMD, or who have an incident fragility fracture on therapy, secondary causes of osteoporosis or non-compliance with medical therapy should be considered.

Unrecognized Osteoporosis Is Common in Patients With a Well-Functioning Total Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundPeri-prosthetic fractures after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are associated with poorer outcomes and high costs. We hypothesize that osteoporosis is under-recognized in the TKA population. The purpose of this study is to report osteoporosis prevalence in a healthy cohort of patients with well-functioning TKA and to compare prevalence between males and females. MethodsThis study is a cross-sectional study of 30 adults (15 males/15 females) aged 59-80 years without known bone health issues who volunteered to undergo routine dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry 2-5 years (average 3.2 ± 0.8) after primary unilateral TKA. These data plus clinical risk factors were used to estimate fracture risk via the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool and skeletal status (normal, osteopenic, osteoporotic) was determined based on the World Health Organization definition. The National Osteoporosis Foundation criteria for treatment were applied to all patients. ResultsSix of 30 (20%) patients had T-score ≤ −2.5. Eighteen of 30 (60%) patients had T-score between −1 and −2.5 and 6 (20%) patients had T-score ≥ −1. Five patients with normal or osteopenic bone mineral density (BMD) had occult vertebral fractures. Eleven of 30 (36.7%) patients met National Osteoporosis Foundation criteria for pharmacologic treatment. ConclusionThe prevalence of occult osteoporosis meeting treatment guidelines after TKA is substantial in this sample (36.7%). BMD and osteoporosis prevalence are similar between men and women. This underappreciated prevalence of osteoporosis may contribute to peri-prosthetic fracture risk. Arthroplasty surgeons and bone health specialists must be aware of post-operative changes in bone density. These data support the further study of post-operative osteoporosis and consideration of routine BMD screening after TKA. Level of EvidenceIII.

Influence of Habitual Physical Behavior - Sleeping, Sedentarism, Physical Activity - On Bone Health in Community-Dwelling Older People.

Sedentary behavior (SB) has emerged as an independent public-health risk and may contribute to the lower bone mineral density (BMD) in old (>60 years of age) than young adults. The purpose of this study was to quantify SB and habitual physical behavior (PB) in community-dwelling older adults and how this correlates with BMD. In 112 relatively healthy and independent-living individuals aged 72.5 ± 6.4 years, BMD, PB and SB were determined using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and 7-day three-dimensional accelerometry, respectively. In men, only healthy and osteopenic BMDs were found, whereas in women, osteoporotic BMD classifications also occurred. Our sample spent ∼61%, 7%, 12% and 19% of daily waking hours in SB, standing, LIPA [light intensity physical activity (PA)] and MVPA (medium-to-vigorous intensity PA), respectively. In men, after accounting for covariates (BMI, total fat, android:gynoid ratio), sleeping (hours/day), number of breaks in SB, number of SB ≥ 5 min, number of PA bouts, total duration of PA bouts (min), mean PA bouts duration (min), LIPA (%PA bout time) and MVPA (%PA bout time) were all predictors of BMD. In women, after accounting for covariates (age, BMI, total fat, android:gynoid ratio), SB (hours/day), SB (% waking hours), LIPA (hours/day), LIPA (% waking hours), MVPA (% waking hours) and number of short SB (i.e., <5 min), total time spent in PA (min) significantly correlated with BMD. In conclusion, the PB predictors of bone health in older persons include: night time sleeping duration, number of short bouts of SB, number and duration of bouts of PA relative to total waking hours. While radar graphs of PB patterns for healthy, osteopenic, osteoporotic individuals highlighted significant differences in PB between them, they were not consistent with the expectations from the Mechanostat Theory: i.e., more loading leads to better bone. Rather, our results suggest that a balance of activities must be maintained across the PB spectrum, where certain PB parameters are especially impactful in each sex, supporting the recently coined multifactorial-based variations in the Mechanostat threshold.

Qualitative Evaluation of Digital Hand X-rays Is Not a Reliable Method to Assess Bone Mineral Density.

The gold standard for evaluating bone mineral density is dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Prior studies have shown poor reliability using analog wrist X-rays in diagnosing osteoporosis. Our goal was to investigate if there was improved diagnostic value to visual assessment of digital hand X-rays in osteoporosis screening. We hypothesized that similar to analog counterparts, digital hand X-rays have poor correlation and reliability in determining bone mineral density (BMD) relative to DEXA. We prospectively evaluated female patients older than 65 years who presented to our hand clinic with digital hand and wrist X-rays as part of their evaluation over six months. Patients who had a fracture and were without DEXA scans within the past two years were excluded. Five fellowship-trained hand surgeons, blinded to DEXA T-scores, evaluated the x-rays over two assessments separated by four weeks and classified them as osteoporotic, osteopenic, or normal BMD. Accuracy relative to DEXA T-score, interobserver and intraobserver rates were calculated. Thirty four patients met the inclusion criteria and a total of 340 x-rays reviews were performed. The assessments were correct in 169 cases (49%) as compared to the DEXA T-scores. A mean weighted kappa coefficient of agreement between observers was 0.29 (range 0.02-0.41) reflecting a fair agreement. The first and second assessment for all five physicians was 0.46 (range 0.19-0.78) reflecting a moderate agreement. Grouping osteoporosis and osteopenia together compared to normal, the accuracy, interobserver and intraobserver rates increased to 63%, 0.42 and 0.54 respectively. Abnormally low BMD is a common occurrence in patients treated for upper extremity disorders. There is poor accuracy relative to DEXA scan and only fair agreement in diagnosing osteoporosis using visual assessments of digital x-rays.

Hip fractures in the elderly: The role of cortical bone

IntroductionOsteoporosis is characterised by poor bone quality arising from alterations to trabecular bone. However, recent studies have also described an important role of alterations to cortical bone in the physiopathology of osteoporosis. Although dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a valid method to assess bone mineral density (BMD), real bone fragility in the presence of comorbidities cannot be evaluated with this method. The aim of this study was to evaluate if cortical thickness could be a good parameter to detect bone fragility in patients with hip fracture, independent of BMD. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients with hip fragility fractures. Cortical index was calculated on fractured femur (femoral cortical index [FCI]) and, when possible, on proximal humerus (humeral cortical index [HCI]). All patients underwent densitometric evaluation by DXA. ResultsAverage value of FCI was 0.43 and of HCI was 0.25. Low values of FCI were found in 21 patients with normal or osteopenic values of BMD, while low values of HCI were found in three patients with non‐osteoporotic values of BMD. Discussion and conclusionCortical thinning measured from X-Ray of the femur identifies 21% additional fracture cases over that identified by a T-score <−2.5 (57%). FCI could be a useful tool to evaluate bone fragility and to predict fracture risk even in patients with normal and osteopenic BMD.

P-098: Long term fracture risk in elderly with a normal or osteopenic bone mineral density

P-098: Long term fracture risk in elderly with a normal or osteopenic bone mineral density

Femoral cortical index: an indicator of poor bone quality in patient with hip fracture.

Osteoporosis is a common disease in elderly, characterized by poor bone quality as a result of alterations affecting trabecular bone. However, recent studies have described also an important role of alterations of cortical bone in the physiopathology of osteoporosis. Although dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a valid method to assess bone mineral density, in the presence of comorbidities real bone fragility is unable to be evaluated. The number of hip fractures is rising, especially in people over 85 years old. The aim is to evaluate an alternative method so that it can indicate fracture risk, independent of bone mineral density (BMD). Femoral cortical index (FCI) assesses cortical bone stock using femur X-ray. A retrospective study has been conducted on 152 patients with hip fragility fractures. FCI has been calculated on fractured femur and on the opposite side. The presence of comorbidities, osteoporosis risk factors, vitamin D levels, and BMD have been analyzed for each patient. Average values of FCI have been 0.42 for fractured femurs and 0.48 at the opposite side with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.002). Patients with severe hypovitaminosis D had a minor FCI compared to those with moderate deficiency (0.41 vs. 0.46, p < 0.011). 42 patients (27.6%) with osteopenic or normal BMD have presented low values of FCI. A significant correlation among low values of FCI, comorbidities, severe hypovitaminosis D. and BMD in patients with hip fractures has been found. FCI could be a useful tool to evaluate bone fragility and to predict fracture risk even in the normal and osteopenic BMD patients.

Fracture discrimination by combined bone mineral density (BMD) and microarchitectural texture analysis.

The use of bone mineral density (BMD) for fracture discrimination may be improved by considering bone microarchitecture. Texture parameters such as trabecular bone score (TBS) or mean Hurst parameter (H) could help to find women who are at high risk of fracture in the non-osteoporotic group. The purpose of this study was to combine BMD and microarchitectural texture parameters (spine TBS and calcaneus H) for the detection of osteoporotic fractures. Two hundred and fifty five women had a lumbar spine (LS), total hip (TH), and femoral neck (FN) DXA. Additionally, texture analyses were performed with TBS on spine DXA and with H on calcaneus radiographs. Seventy-nine women had prevalent fragility fractures. The association with fracture was evaluated by multivariate logistic regressions. The diagnostic value of each parameter alone and together was evaluated by odds ratios (OR). The area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) were assessed in models including BMD, H, and TBS. Women were also classified above and under the lowest tertile of H or TBS according to their BMD status. Women with prevalent fracture were older and had lower TBS, H, LS-BMD, and TH-BMD than women without fracture. Age-adjusted ORs were 1.66, 1.70, and 1.93 for LS, FN, and TH-BMD, respectively. Both TBS and H remained significantly associated with fracture after adjustment for age and TH-BMD: OR 2.07 [1.43;3.05] and 1.47 [1.04;2.11], respectively. The addition of texture parameters in the multivariate models didn't show a significant improvement of the ROC-AUC. However, women with normal or osteopenic BMD in the lowest range of TBS or H had significantly more fractures than women above the TBSor the H threshold. We have shown the potential interest of texture parameters such as TBS and H in addition to BMD to discriminate patients with or without osteoporotic fractures. However, their clinical added values should be evaluated relative to other risk factors.

Bone mineral density and association of osteoarthritis with fracture risk

High body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased risk of osteoarthritis (OA) and reduced risk of fragility fracture. However, the relationship between fragility fracture and OA remained unclear. This study sought to investigate the effect of bone mineral density (BMD) in the OA-fracture relationship. Data from 2412 women and 1452 men aged >45 years in the Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study (DOES) were analyzed. Individuals have been followed for up to 22 years (median: 7.5 years; range: 0.1-22 years). Femoral neck BMD (FNBMD) and lumbar spine BMD (LSBMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (GE LUNAR, Madison, WI). The presence of OA was ascertained at baseline by self-reported diagnosis. The incidence of low-trauma fracture was ascertained from X-ray reports. Overall, 29% of women and 26% of men had reported a diagnosis of OA. Fracture risk was significantly higher in women with OA than those without OA (Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.50; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.28-1.76). However, the association was mainly observed in women with osteopenic BMD (HR = 1.74; 95% CI, 1.38-2.17) and normal-BMD (HR = 1.50; 95% CI, 1.06-2.13) and not in those with osteoporosis. Further analysis revealed that osteopenic women with OA had significant increase in risk of vertebral (HR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.24-2.75) and limb fracture (HR = 2.49; 95% CI, 1.77-3.48), but not in hip fracture. In men, no comparable relationship was found before and after adjustment for covariates. Women with OA have an increased risk of fragility fracture, and the risk was mainly observed in non-osteoporotic group.

Were you identified to be at high fracture risk by FRAX® before your osteoporotic fracture occurred?

With the increasing longevity and the growing size of the aging population, China is among the developing countries with the greatest burden of osteoporotic fractures (OFs). Identification of individuals at high fracture risk to provide early treatment in developing countries with limited resources remains a challenge. Our aim was to calculate the FRAX® values in a selected mainland Chinese population the day before the occurrence of an OF and to compare the results with the Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) thresholds. To define a population at high fracture risk, we selected patients in the orthopedic emergency cohort from Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, China. To calculate the FRAX® the day before the actual OF, the actual fracture was not considered as a previous fracture. Subjects with a FRAX® value lower than the NOF thresholds were not considered at high risk. One-hundred ninety-eight patients were included with a mean age of 69.9 ± 10.1years old, and 78.8% were female. Major fracture sites included hip (41.9%), proximal humerus (22.2%), forearm (27.8%), spine (6.6%), and pelvis (1.5%). Overall, only two (1.0%) patients had a 10-year major fracture probability ≥20%, and 84 (42.4%) patients had a 10-year hip fracture probability ≥3%. More than half of the population was not identified to be at high risk by the FRAX® BMI (body mass index). For age groups 55-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80-90years old, respectively, the mean FRAX® BMI values (major OF/hip fracture) were 3.5/0.7, 5.7/1.8, 8.2/4.7, and 8.6/4.8%. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was available for 58 patients, and 41.2% had a T-score ≤ -2.5 standard deviation (lumbar spine and/or femoral neck and/or total hip). Only six (17.6%) patients with a normal or osteopenic BMD were classified at high risk by the FRAX® BMD (bone mineral density). The NOF thresholds could only identify fewer than half of the studied population to be at high risk the day before an actual OF, and the 10-year hip fracture probability seemed to perform better than the 10-year major fracture probability. Prospective population-based studies are needed to validate the prediction of Chinese FRAX® model and to establish ideal thresholds.

Fat, muscle, and bone interactions in obesity and the metabolic syndrome.

Fat, muscle, and bone interactions in obesity and the metabolic syndrome.

The impact of dysglycaemia on bone mineral accrual in young people with cystic fibrosis

The effect of dysglycaemia on bone mineral density (BMD) has not been studied in young people with CF. We examined factors associated with BMD in a tertiary paediatric CF clinic. Retrospective, clinic-based study at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney. Young people with CF aged ≤ 18 years. Bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; main outcome measures were total body (TB), lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) BMD and bone mineral content (BMC), and LS volumetric BMD (vBMD), reported as z scores for height. Dysglycaemia, based on oral glucose tolerance test, was defined as CF-related diabetes (CFRD) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Overall, 14 of 81 (17%) had CFRD, 6 (7%) IGT and 61 (76%) normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Mean age was 14.9 ± 2.4 years and mean height z score -0.68 ± 1.39. Osteopenic (z score ≤-2) TB, LS or FN BMD was present in 30 of 81 (37%), BMC in 42 (52%) and vBMD in 10 (5%). Across the three groups, there were differences in LS vBMD (CFRD, -0.67 ± 0.76; IGT, -0.52 ± 0.76; NGT, -0.05 ± 1.39; P = 0.04), LS BMD (P < 0.01), LS BMC (P = 0.01) and TB BMD (P = 0.01). In multivariate linear regression, LS BMC was associated with dysglycaemia (β = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.00-1.13; P = 0.05) and approached significance for FEV(1) (β = 0.01; 95% CI, 0.00-0.02; P = 0.06). Dysglycaemia is associated with reduced bone mass accrual in youth with CF, in addition to recognized factors such as abnormal lung function, poor nutritional status and disease severity. Bone health assessment is essential in youth with CF.

Prevalence of low bone mass in postmenopausal Kuwaiti women residents in the largest province of Kuwait

We measured bone mineral density (BMD) in Kuwaiti women residents in the largest province of Kuwait state to highlight the BMD changes with each age, in particular when they reach the postmenopausal stage. Healthy Kuwaiti females between the ages of 10 and 89years, who were residents in the largest province of Kuwait, were included in the study. After measurements of their height and weight, their bone mineral density of L2-L4 lumbar spine and femur (neck and total) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Out of the studied 903 female subjects, 811 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Their mean ± SEM age and body mass index (BMI) were respectively 47 ± 1years and 30.8 ± 0.2kg/m(2). Out of these 811 subjects, 454 were postmenopausal, and their age and BMI were 55.0 ± 0.3years and 32.0 ± 0.3kg/m(2), respectively. We have demonstrated that osteoporotic BMD of the spine and femur neck occurred in 20.2 and 12.5% of postmenopausal Kuwaiti females, whereas osteopenic BMD of the spine and femur neck was observed at a frequency of 35.4 and 42.8% of women, respectively. When the subjects were subdivided as per BMI, it was notable that overweight and obese had significantly higher BMD than normal weight postmenopausal women. BMD of the spine, femur neck, and femur total demonstrated significant positive correlations with body weight and BMI, whereas they demonstrated significant negative correlations with age. Low BMD of the femur neck and spine, reflected by the combination of osteopenia and osteoporosis, seemed to occur in more than half (55.3-55.6%) of postmenopausal Kuwaiti women. Most of the studies on assessment of prevalence of low bone mass were focused in Caucasian population. Data on subjects of the Mediterranean area are limited. We measured bone mineral density (BMD) in Kuwaiti women residents in the largest province of Kuwait state to highlight the BMD changes with each age, in particular when they reach the postmenopausal stage. Kuwaiti female subjects of different age groups between 10 and 89years, who were residents in the largest province of Kuwait (Hawalli), were included in the study. They were included if they had been healthy over the last 12months, had no past history of bone disease, and are not taking any prescription medication that may affect bone density. Their bone mineral density of L2-L4 lumbar spine and femur (neck and total) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Out of the studied 903 female subjects, 811 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Their mean ± SEM age and body mass index (BMI) were respectively 47 ± 1years and 30.8 ± 0.2kg/m(2). Out of these 811 subjects, 454 were postmenopausal, and their age and BMI were 55.0 ± 0.3years and 32.0 ± 0.3kg/m(2), respectively. We have demonstrated that osteoporotic BMD of the spine and femur neck occurred in 20.2 and 12.5% of postmenopausal Kuwaiti females, respectively, whereas osteopenic BMD of the spine and femur neck was observed at a frequency of 35.4 and 42.8% of women. When subjects were subdivided as per BMI, it was notable that overweight and obese postmenopausal women had significantly higher BMD of lumbar spine, femur neck, and femur total than normal weight postmenopausal women. Bone mineral densities of the spine, femur neck, and femur total demonstrated significant positive correlations with body weight and BMI, whereas they demonstrated significant negative correlations with age. Low BMD of the femur neck and spine, reflected by the combination of osteopenia and osteoporosis, seemed to occur in more than half (55.3-55.6%) of postmenopausal Kuwaiti women residents at the largest province of Kuwait.

The impact of serum FSH and estradiol on postmenopausal osteoporosis related to time since menopause

Aim: To determine the impact on osteopenia/osteoporosis of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol levels and time since menopause in a group of Turkish postmenopausal women. Methods: Four hundred and thirty-three healthy postmenopausal women seen at the Marmara University Menopause Outpatient Clinic were enrolled for this prospective cohort study. The women were allocated to one of three groups according to the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebrae and total hip, as measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Serum FSH, estradiol levels, age and time since menopause were compared between the groups. Results: The mean serum FSH, LH, estradiol and testosterone levels for women with normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic BMD at lumbar vertrebra L1-L4 and total hip were comparable. Time since menopause had a stronger predictive value for low BMD (osteopenia or osteoporosis) in the lumbar and hip areas than did serum FSH or estradiol levels. Conclusions: Our study showed that neither FSH nor E2 has a strong impact on postmenopausal BMD. However it appears that time since menopause has a weak non-significant association with postmenopausal osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Evaluation of trabecular microarchitecture in nonosteoporotic postmenopausal women with and without fracture

This study compared microscopic magnetic resonance imaging (µMRI) parameters of trabecular microarchitecture between postmenopausal women with and without fracture who have normal or osteopenic bone mineral density (BMD) on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). It included 36 postmenopausal white women 50 years of age and older with normal or osteopenic BMD (T-scores better than -2.5 at the lumbar spine, proximal femur, and one-third radius on DXA). Eighteen women had a history of low-energy fracture, whereas 18 women had no history of fracture and served as an age, race, and ultradistal radius BMD-matched control group. A three-dimensional fast large-angle spin-echo (FLASE) sequence with 137 µm × 137 µm × 400 µm resolution was performed through the nondominant wrist of all 36 women using the same 1.5T scanner. The high-resolution images were used to measure trabecular bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, surface-to-curve ratio, and erosion index. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare differences in BMD and µMRI parameters between postmenopausal women with and without fracture. Post-menopausal women with fracture had significantly lower (p < 0.05) trabecular bone volume fraction and surface-to-curve ratio and significantly higher (p < 0.05) erosion index than postmenopausal women without fracture. There was no significant difference between postmenopausal women with and without fracture in trabecular thickness (p = 0.80) and BMD of the spine (p = 0.21), proximal femur (p = 0.19), one-third radius (p = 0.47), and ultradistal radius (p = 0.90). Postmenopausal women with normal or osteopenic BMD who had a history of low-energy fracture had significantly different (p < 0.05) µMRI parameters than an age, race, and ultradistal radius BMD-matched control group of postmenopausal women with no history of fracture. Our study suggests that µMRI can be used to identify individuals without a DXA-based diagnosis of osteoporosis who have impaired trabecular microarchitecture and thus a heretofore-unappreciated elevated fracture risk.

Determining whether women with osteopenic bone mineral density have low, moderate, or high clinical fracture risk

Most low-trauma fractures occur among women with osteopenic bone mineral density (BMD), a population considered to have moderate absolute fracture risk. Our purpose was to refine the fracture risk prediction in women with osteopenic BMD to determine the subgroups at lowest and highest risk. We included 2,588 women aged 50 to 90 years with osteopenic BMD (femoral neck BMD between -1 and -2.5) participating in the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study, an ongoing prospective cohort study of randomly selected Canadians. Baseline variables, in addition to known risk factors, age, and BMD, were considered for inclusion in a model for the prediction of 5-year absolute risk of low-trauma fracture. Models were derived using logistic regression and assessed by the Bayesian Information Criterion. We found an increased fracture risk among those with lower BMD (odds ratio [OR], 1.53; 95% CI, 1.06-2.21) for each decrease in femoral neck T score (eg, from -1 to -2), those with prior low-trauma fracture (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.46-2.92), those with self-reported worse general health (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.15-1.59) for each lower category (categories: excellent, very good, good, fair, poor), and those with height loss (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.16-1.90) for each 5-cm difference between current and maximal height. The new model had yielded a better risk stratification than did a model with World Health Organization risk factors. Including risk factors such as general health and height loss can be used to provide a highly effective assessment of fracture risk among women with osteopenic BMD.