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Treatment of osteoporosis in men with fluoride alone or in combination with bisphosphonates.

Alendronate has been approved as a first antiresorptive drug for treatment of osteoporosis in men. Except for fluoride, in some countries so far there has been no approved anabolic substance for the treatment of male osteoporosis. From small studies in men and male patients included in studies on postmenopausal osteoporosis there is sufficient evidence that fluoride has the same osteoblast-stimulating potency in men and women. In our own study on 64 men with idiopathic osteoporosis without prevalent fractures, a low-dose intermittent fluoride regimen (15 mg fluoride ions 3 months on, 1 month off) resulted in an average gain of lumbar spine BMD of 3% per year and a lower rate of incident fractures as compared with patients treated with calcium only. A combination of fluoride with an antiresorptive drug may improve the therapeutic results in terms of pattern of biochemical marker response and gain in BMD. This was shown for postemopausal osteoporosis in several studies using fluoride and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Encouraged by a Dutch study using etidronate/fluoride in corticoid-induced osteoporosis, we performed a pilot study in 33 men with severe established primary osteoporosis giving cyclically etidronate for 14 days followed by fluoride plus calcium/vitamin D for 76 days. This combined regimen resulted in significantly higher increases of BMD than fluoride or etidronate alone. In an ongoing trial we are studying a continuous, combined treatment of alendronate and fluoride plus calcium/vitamin D in established idiopathic osteoporosis in men. The results of a preliminary evaluation look very promising. A large study with a bisphosphonate plus fluoride, taking fractures as the primary endpoint and bone biopsies to assess safety, would be very valuable.

Alendronate↗

High prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with chronic liver disease prior to liver transplantation.

Osteoporosis is a common complication of liver transplantation. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial, but preexisting bone disease in patients with chronic liver disease is likely to play an important role. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone mineral density in adult patients with chronic liver disease prior to liver transplantation. A total of 243 consecutive patients (128 male, 115 female; mean age 51.1years) with chronic liver disease undergoing assessment for transplantation, were recruited over a 4-year period. BMD measurements were made using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in the lumbar spine (L1-L4) and femoral neck (FN). Osteoporosis and osteopenia were defined by WHO criteria. Osteoporosis at either L1-L4 or FN was present in 36.6%, osteopenia in 48.1%, and normal BMD in only 15.2% of patients. There was no difference in prevalence of osteoporosis between males and females (P = 0.442). Women with osteoporosis were on average 10 years older (56.2 +/- 1.4 years) than those with normal bone density (46.4 +/- 2.3 years) P = 0.002; in men, no statistically significant age effect was found. Patients with osteoporosis had on average lower body weight than those with normal bone density (64.9 +/- 1.8 kg vs 74.2 +/- 2.2 kg) P = 0.003. T-scores in patients with cholestatic liver disease were lower than in non-cholestatic disease and the lowest BMD values were found in patients with cystic fibrosis. Logistic regression revealed that in women, increasing age (P = 0.004; OR = 1.12; CI 1.04-1.21) and lower body weight (P = 0.01; OR = 0.95; CI 0.91-0.99) were significant independent risk factors for osteoporosis but menopausal status (P = 0.1; OR = 0.24; CI 0.05-1.32) and presence or absence of cholestasis (P = 0.326; OR = 1.54; CI 0.65-3.67) were not. There were no independent risk factors in men. This study demonstrates a high prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with chronic liver disease prior to liver transplantation, men and women being equally affected. With the exception of increasing age and lower body weight in women, no independent risk factors were found, emphasizing the importance of BMD measurements in these patients and the need for prophylactic measures to optimize bone health.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Harmonization of clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and osteopenia in Europe: a difficult challenge.

Europe is a patchwork of various medical cultures and financial resources. Variations abound with respect to financing, accessibility to public health systems, health expenditures, drug registration and reimbursement, the prescription of drugs, and clinical applications, as well as the perception of osteoporosis itself. However, there are possibilities for the harmonization of medical services among the various countries within Europe. The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EAEMP) is attending to the centralized or decentralized procedures for the registration of drugs. The Group for the Respect of Ethics and Excellence in Science (GREES) is investigating guidelines for drug registration as well as gathering and making available medical references. The European Foundation for Osteoporosis and Bone Diseases (EFFO) is increasing awareness of the prevalence of the disease and the need for prevention and treatment. Finally, the International Federation of Societies on Skeletal Diseases (IFSSD) is coordinating epidemiologic, clinical, and social research. There is a need for increased awareness of osteoporosis throughout Europe. Health authorities are in need of cost/benefit reports leading to the registration and reimbursement of agents. Primary care physicians need information about osteoporosis and need to become involved in the diagnosis and science of the disease. Awareness needs to be generated among specialists; they need to be educated in the latest techniques for diagnosis and treatment. Finally, the general population needs to become aware of osteoporosis and to be encouraged to participate in the prevention and treatment of this disease. Current screening and detection in Europe is being done by densitometry. However, other techniques on the horizon include ultrasound and biochemical markers. Primary prevention, i.e., maximizing peak bone mass, includes examining the genetics of osteoporosis to determine the high-risk population and promoting reasonable physical exercise and dietary/life-style habits (e.g., increased calcium and avoidance of tobacco). Secondary prevention includes the identification of high-risk groups through risk factors, biochemical markers, and densitometry and adherence to the World Health Organization definition of osteopenia-osteoporosis (adapted to financial concerns by GREES guidelines). Other therapies include hormone replacement agents (although there are risks for cancer and concerns about durability), calcium and other inhibitors of bone resorption, physical activity, and vitamin D prophylaxis in the elderly. Treatment of established or severe osteoporosis includes drugs upon availability (inhibitors of bone resorption and stimulators of bone formation), surgery, and experimental approaches.

Female↗

Clinical guidelines for the treatment of osteoporosis in Japan.

In Japan, unlike in the United States and Europe, where osteoporosis is synonymous with postmenopausal osteoporosis, the need for treatment of osteoporosis has been emphasized only for elderly women with established disease. This may be because women in the immediate postmenopausal period in Japan are virtually free of symptoms such as lumbago and signs such as spinal compression fracture. Osteoporosis typically does not manifest itself until about age 65; therefore, postmenopausal osteoporosis with vertebral fracture below the age of 60 is quite rare in Japan. Unique features of treatment for osteoporosis in Japan include rare use of estrogen replacement therapy, common use of vitamin D derivatives (especially 1alpha(OH) vitamin D) without notable side effects, and use of calcitonin almost exclusively in a low-dose intermittent regimen (20 U/week). Similarly, the use of ipriflavone is common, and calcium supplementation, especially with an active absorbable algae calcium with high bioavailability (AAACa), is effective and popular. The emphasis on the use of calcium, vitamin D, and calcitonin in the treatment of osteoporosis may be explained by an extremely low dietary calcium intake in Japan. Other factors that favor reliance on the calcium-focused approach and avoidance of estrogen include a fatalistic and naturalistic view toward menopause; an uneasiness with hormone replacement therapy; an older female population who seek osteoporosis treatment because of uneventful immediate postmenopausal periods; and the efficient absorption of calcium from the intestine with favorable response to exogenous vitamin D due to a long-standing calcium deficiency and possibly a low incidence of vitamin D-receptor abnormalities.

Aged↗

Osteoporosis medications used by older African-American women: effects of socioeconomic status and psychosocial factors.

This study examined the effects of socioeconomic status, knowledge and Health Belief Model variables on ever use of hormone therapy and other osteoporosis medications among older African-American women. One-hundred and two African-American women, 60 years old or older, randomly selected from Registers of Voters and a list of participants in educational activities of a university hospital, were interviewed in their homes. Data collected concerned knowledge of osteoporosis, Health Belief Model variables, and cues to action such as history of hysterectomy, personal and family history of cancer, bone mineral density testing, and discussion with a physician about osteoporosis. Socioeconomic status indicators included years of education and household income. The average respondent age was 71.1 years; 47% were current or previous users (ever users) of hormone therapy, and 11% were ever users of other osteoporosis medications. Knowledge of osteoporosis, (odds ratio = 1.4), Hormone therapy benefits, (odds ratio = 1.63), a hysterectomy (odds ratio = 4.35), and a family history of cancer (odds ratio = 4.0) increased the odds of ever using hormone therapy. Perceptions of susceptibility (odds ratio = 3.5) and discussion with a physician about osteoporosis (odds ratio = 6.4) increased odds of ever using other osteoporosis medications. Socioeconomic status mediated the effects of knowledge of osteoporosis on ever using hormone therapy. Efforts to promote bone health to older African-American women should focus primary efforts to increasing perceptions of susceptibility to fracture and persuading physicians to initiate discussions about fracture prevention with African-American patients before a fracture occurs.

Black or African American↗

Osteoporosis: visions for care and prevention--a conference report.

Osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease that leads to fractures, affects 25 million Americans, mostly women. The good news is that this disease is preventable and treatable. Adequate nutrition, for example, is estimated to reduce the impact of osteoporosis by as much as one half. The bad news is that unless more attention is given to communicating preventive strategies, osteoporosis and its related costs will continue to escalate. To make osteoporosis a priority among health professionals and communicators, The American Dietetic Association, in cooperation with National Diary Council, held a conference on this subject in November 1993. Recognized national experts addressed the issue of osteoporosis from various perspectives. This article summarizes the information presented at this conference. Prevention of osteoporosis focuses on increasing peak bone mass, which is usually reached between the age of 30 to 35 years, and reducing bone loss in later years. Bone health is influenced by three major interacting factors: diet, exercise, and estrogen. To optimize bone health, accumulating scientific findings support intakes of calcium and vitamin D exceeding current Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for these nutrients. Unfortunately, most women in the United States, in particular female adolescents, do not consume the RDA for calcium. Although recommendations to prevent osteoporosis can be made, there are several obstacles to translating these recommendations into action. Examples include failure to inspire people to make lifestyle changes early in life and to provide understandable recommendations. To be facilitators of change and not just nutrition experts, dietitians and other health professionals need to overcome these obstacles and to effectively market the risks of and prevention strategies for osteoporosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bone Density↗

The management of secondary osteoporosis.

Secondary osteoporosis is common among patients being evaluated for osteoporosis. All men and premenopausal women with unexplained bone loss or a history of a fragility fracture should undergo a work-up for secondary osteoporosis. Also, postmenopausal women with risk factors for secondary osteoporosis should be carefully evaluated. The evaluation should include a thorough history, physical examination, bone mineral density testing, and laboratory testing. While there is no consensus for a cost-effective laboratory evaluation, some recommendations include: 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum and urine calcium, phosphate, creatinine, liver function tests, a complete blood count, testosterone in men, and thyroid-stimulating hormone. After a thorough review of the evaluation for secondary osteoporosis, this chapter reviews the pathophysiology and treatment of secondary osteoporotic disorders, including vitamin D insufficiency, osteomalacia, the osteoporosis of erosive inflammatory arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and osteoporosis related to anti-androgenic therapy for prostate cancer and aromatase inhibitor therapy for breast cancer. Physicians have a significant responsibility to evaluate and treat the underlying medical problem that is the cause of secondary osteoporosis and to optimize bone health in the individual patient.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Proteomics-driven discovery of intervention windows and risk subtypes in osteoporosis: A prospective cohort study.

Given the limited feasibility of population-wide bone mineral density screening and the infrequency of long-term monitoring in healthy individuals, identifying the window for early intervention and the populations to be prioritized for screening is critical. This study aimed to identify intervention windows for osteoporosis and to determine potential high-risk subtypes within the healthy population. Based on proteomic data from 41,408 healthy adults, we conducted the DE-SWAN method to identify change peaks in plasma protein during the pre-diagnostic osteoporosis phase, and employed finite Gaussian mixture model-based clustering to delineate high-risk subtypes of osteoporosis. We identified 122 protein biomarkers significantly associated with osteoporosis risk throughout the follow-up period. Importantly, we identified two critical peaks occurring approximately 10 and 6 years before diagnosis, with the former enriched in immune-related pathways and the latter prominently involving responses to retinoic acid and glucocorticoids. Furthermore, one high-risk subtype for osteoporosis was identified in both males and females, termed the Frailty and Obesity Subtype. This subtype is characterized by a high degree of frailty and obesity, accompanied by a significantly elevated risk of both osteoporosis and fractures. Finally, we developed a predictive model comprising 10 proteins for identifying high-risk subtypes of osteoporosis, which demonstrated better performance than the traditional risk factor model (AUC: 0.743 vs. 0.680). Our findings demonstrate that proteomic profiling can reveal early molecular changes and identify high-risk subtypes years before clinical onset, providing a foundation for screening and precision prevention of osteoporosis.

Proteomics↗

Severity of cholestasis and advanced histological stage but not menopausal status are the major risk factors for osteoporosis in primary biliary cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Since primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is usually diagnosed in postmenopausal women with minor cholestasis, it has been questioned whether PBC itself represents a further risk for osteoporosis. AIM: To assess the prevalence and risk factors for osteoporosis in an unselected series of women with PBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 142 women with PBC (age: 54.3+/-0.8 years) and an age-matched control group. Osteoporosis was established by densitometry (bone mineral density below -2.5 T-score). Age, duration and severity of PBC, body mass index, menopausal status, histological stage and markers of bone turnover were assessed. RESULTS: Prevalence of osteoporosis was higher in PBC (32.4%) than in normal women (11. 1%) (RR: 3.83, 95%CI: 2.59-5.67, P<0.001). Osteoporosis was associated with older age, menopausal status, body mass index, longer PBC duration, advanced histological stage, high bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, and low albumin and prothrombin index. Regression analysis identified older age, higher Mayo risk score, lower body mass index and advanced histological stage but not menopause as the independent risk factors for osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporosis is more prevalent in women with PBC than in the general population. Age and severity of the disease, but not menopausal status, are the main risk factors for osteoporosis in this liver disease.

Biomarkers↗

Evaluation of modal damping factor as a diagnostic tool for osteoporosis and its relation with serum osteocalcin and collagen I N-telopeptide for monitoring the efficacy of alendronate in ovariectomized rats.

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease characterized by reduced bone mass and deterioration of bone microarchitecture. It results from the shift of the osteoblast-osteoclast activity equilibrium in favor of the later. Although, a number of biochemical markers, such as collagen I N-telopeptide (NTx) and osteocalcin (OC), have been used for monitoring bone remodeling, a new, monitoring, non-invasive method, which is based on the measurement of the dynamic characteristic of bone and is known as modal damping factor (MDF), has not been evaluated as a diagnostic tool for osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates, such as alendronate, have an established role in the treatment of osteoporosis. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to evaluate the effects of alendronate on the levels of MDF, serum NTx and OC on osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy in rats. Furthermore, the effects of alendronate on osteoporosis have been histologically evaluated. Fifteen adult female Wistar rats were bilaterally ovariectomized and osteoporosis was histologically confirmed and by the use of peripheral quantitative computerized tomography (pQCT). MDF was applied to assess the bone structural integrity. The serum levels of NTx (37.4+/-0.5 nM bone collagen equivalents, BCE) and OC (111.0+/-8.2 ng/mL) were found to significantly increase following ovariectomy (72.0+/-2.9 nM BCE and 213.5+/-12.1 ng/mL, respectively, p<0.001). As assessed by histology and the levels of NTx and OC in sera, animals treated with alendronate presented a statistically significant deceleration in the progression of the disease in comparison to the no-therapy control group (alendronate group NTx levels: 146.3+/-8.9 nM BCE versus no-therapy control group NTx levels: 265.3+/-14.0 nM BCE, p<0.001, alendronate group OC levels: 205.6+/-18.2 ng/mL versus no-therapy group OC levels: 353.9+/-26.1 ng/mL, p<0.001). Data obtained from the vibration analysis performed illustrated that the change in damping was equal or greater to the change in total and trabecular density, respectively. Damping increased with decreasing bone density, as expected, given that damping accounts for the structural integrity of bone (MDF value before ovariectomy: 0.058+/-0.003 versus MDF value after ovariectomy: 0.098+/-0.003, p<0.001). The higher damping values correspond to more deteriorated structures. In particular, both total and trabecular density were significantly decreased following ovariectomy (total density before ovariectomy: 702.4+/-19.0 versus total density after ovariectomy: 542.2+/-12.8, p<0.001, trabecular density before ovariectomy: 445.3+/-13.0 versus trabecular density after ovariectomy: 396.7+/-8.4, p<0.05). MDF value of the alendronate group (0.07+/-0.002) was significantly lower (p<0.001) as compared to MDF value after ovariectomy (0.098+/-0.003) and that of the no-therapy group (0.1+/-0.004, p<0.001). The administration of alendronate seemed to have no effect on either total or trabecular density, since both parameters continued to decrease (alendronate group total density: 549.4+/-12.3, alendronate group trabecular density: 368.4+/-14.7). However, when this was compared to the no-therapy group, a statistically significant difference of total density at the 0.05 level was observed (no-therapy total density: 464.8+/-9.1). The results of this study suggest that combined measurements of MDF, NTx and OC may be a potential diagnostic tool for osteoporosis and monitoring bone integrity during treatment with bisphosphonates. Furthermore, administration of alendronate showed to offer a critical deceleration in the progression of osteoporosis.

Alendronate↗

Exploring factors influencing osteoporosis prevention and control: a qualitative study of Iranian men and women in Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the understanding of osteoporosis risk factors and barriers that influence osteoporosis prevention and control in order to better inform the development of culturally appropriate osteoporosis preventive strategies. METHODS: This qualitative study was based on data collected from 5 focus groups, 10 individual interviews and 3 opportunistic group discussions of Iranian men and women living in Australia. A thematic analysis approach was used and data were managed with a computer-assisted program. Data were collected over 1 year in community settings chosen by participants. RESULTS: The participants had insufficient understanding of osteoporosis risk factors and its implications for their health as they age. There were minor misconceptions about the causes of the disease and how it could be prevented and controlled. Many participants confused osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Where they did indicate some knowledge of preventive actions, they perceived many obstacles to their undertaking preventive behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that factors adversely influencing osteoporosis prevention and control have their root in misconceptions about osteoporosis and its risk factors, and psychosocial and structural barriers to taking preventive actions. These findings provide insights into barriers that need to be overcome if preventive strategies and intervention programs can be developed to reduce the overall burden of osteoporosis in the community.

Adult↗

Knowledge of osteoporosis correlated with hormone therapy use and health status.

OBJECTIVES: The study objectives were: (a) to evaluate knowledge about osteoporosis and to identify its correlates among women > or =40 years of age attending outpatient centers; (b) to compare the level of knowledge between women already receiving treatment for osteoporosis and first-time attendees. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with women recruited from nine outpatient centres in the Czech Republic. The women were divided into two subgroups: patients who have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis (osteopenia) and who are receiving treatment for the disease (OS group); first-time attendees who have been referred for the assessment of osteoporosis (comparison group). The patient's knowledge of osteoporosis was assessed using the Osteoporosis Questionnaire (OPQ) developed by Pande et al. [Pande KC, Takats D, Kanis JA, Edwards V, Slade P, McCloskey EV. Development of a questionnaire (OPQ) to assess patient's knowledge about osteoporosis. Maturitas 2000;37:75-81]. RESULTS: A total of 474 women (median age 63 years) were studied (306 in the OS group, 168 in the comparison group). Knowledge scores based on OPQ (median) were 7 and 6 points in the OS and comparison groups, respectively. When adjusted for age, the statistics showed better knowledge patients in the OS group (P=0.019). In both the OS and comparison groups, knowledge was found to be correlated positively with education (P<0.001) and experience of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (P<0.001) and negatively with age (P<0.001). Knowledge was higher among women with better health status in the OS group. CONCLUSION: Knowledge about osteoporosis among Czech women aged > or =40 years and attending outpatient centers is relatively poor. To improve it, special attention should be paid to elderly women, those who have not used HRT, poorly educated women and those treated with several drugs.

Aged↗

The hematological etiology of osteoporosis.

In this article we present a new working hypothesis, suggesting that overexertion of the hematopoietic system resulting from constant excessive need for blood cell production, plays an important role in the etiology of osteoporosis. It is generally accepted that the development of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women is due to the reduction of estrogen level. However a most striking observation is the fact that in the male organism, which has never been protected by high levels of estrogen, osteoporosis in senescence is significantly less frequent then in the female organism, which has been protected by estrogens for at least 35 years. Healthy women loose about 70 ml of blood every month, which adds up to some 850 ml per year and approximately 30 l over the 35 years of their reproductive life. Blood loss intensifies hematopoiesis by increasing the level of hematopoietic growth factors while, at the same time, stimulating proliferation of osteogenic progenitor cells. Osteogenic activity has, indeed, been detected in the blood of bled animals. The chain of events that converts continuous requiremental pressure on hematopoiesis into development of osteoporosis may be formulated as follows: on the one hand, blood loss creates developmental pressure on the hematopoietic system, augments production of hematopoietic growth factors with subsequent intensified proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells, increases the number of hematopoietic cells including osteoclasts, thus intensifying resorption of bone tissue and extension of hematopoietic territories. On the other hand, blood loss leads to stimulation of bone development, extensive proliferation of osteogenic progenitor cells resulting in increased numbers of osteoblasts, followed by new bone formation and, at the same time, increased production and maturation of osteoclasts which then enter the cycle of bone resorption. The bone resorption process itself is characterized by the release of bone morphogenic proteins that induce proliferation of osteogenic cells and subsequent production of osteoclasts that in their turn enter the cycle of bone resorption. Important evidence supporting the substantial role of hematopoietic insufficiency in the development of osteoporosis comes from the field of clinical hematology: hematological diseases accompanied by chronic anemia, such as beta thalassemia major, sickle cell anemia, chronic hemolytic anemia, pernicious anemia, etc., are also characterized by the concomitant development of osteoporosis. Patients suffering from hemophilia tend to develop osteoporosis as well. The possible role of functional interaction between hematopoietic and bone tissues in the development of age related osteoporosis is also discussed.

Anemia↗

The prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross sectional study.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex disease, where the initial symptoms are often cough as a result of excessive mucus production and dyspnea. With disease progression several other symptoms may develop, and patients with moderate to severe COPD have often multiorganic disease with severely impaired respiratory dysfunction, decreased physical activity, right ventricular failure of the heart, and a decreased quality of life. In addition osteoporosis might develop possibly due to a number of factors related to the disease. We wanted to investigate the prevalence of osteoporosis in a population of patients with severe COPD as well as to correlate the use of glucocorticoid treatment to the occurrence of osteoporosis in this population. Outpatients from the respiratory unit with COPD, a history of forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) less than 1.3 L, with FEV1% pred. ranging from 17.3% to 45.3% (mean 31.4%, standard deviation (sd) 7.3%). Patients between 50 and 70 years were included. Other causes of osteoporosis were excluded before inclusion. At study entry spirometry, X-ray of the spine (to evaluate presence of vertebral fractures), and bone mineral density of lumbar spine and hip were performed. Of 181 patients invited by mail, 62 patients were included (46 females and 16 males). All had symptoms of COPD such as exertional dyspnea, productive cough, limitations in physical activity etc. The mean FEV1 was 0.90 L (sd: 0.43 L) and the mean FEV1% pred. of 32.6% (sd: 14.1%). All had sufficient daily intake of calcium and vitamin D. In 15 patients, X-ray revealed compression fractures previously not diagnosed. Bone density measurements showed osteoporosis in 22 patients and osteopenia in 16. In total, 26 of the COPD patients were osteoporotic as evaluated from both X-ray and bone density determinations. Thus 68% of the participants had osteoporosis or osteopenia, but glucocorticoid use alone could not explain the increased prevalence of osteoporosis. A large fraction of these needed treatment for severe osteoporosis in order to prevent further bone loss and to reduce future risk of osteoporotic fractures. Thus, there is a significant need to screen patients with COPD to select the individuals in risk of fracture and to initiate prophylaxis or treatment for the disease.

Aged↗

Fragility fractures and the osteoporosis care gap: an international phenomenon.

OBJECTIVES: To describe practice patterns in the management of osteoporosis after fragility fracture. METHODS: Systematic review of articles in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases (1996 to February 2005). Diagnostic outcomes included clinical osteoporosis diagnoses, laboratory tests, and bone density scans. Treatment outcomes included initiation of calcium, vitamin D, hormone replacement therapy, bisphosphonates, calcitonin, raloxifene and falls assessments. RESULTS: Thirty-five studies met our inclusion criteria and demonstrated that adults who experience fragility fracture are not receiving osteoporosis management. An osteoporosis diagnosis was reported in 1 to 45% of patients with fractures; laboratory tests were ordered for 1 to 49% and 1 to 32% of patients had bone density scans. Calcium/vitamin D and pharmacological therapy was reported in 2 to 62% and 1 to 65% of patients, respectively. Osteoporosis treatment was recommended more often in women than men, and more often in patients with vertebral fractures than in patients with nonvertebral fractures. Older patients were more likely to be diagnosed with osteoporosis, but treatment was more likely in younger patients. A history of prior fracture was reported in 7 to 67% of patients. Between 1 and 22% of patients had a subsequent fracture during follow-up periods of 6 months to 5 years. Falls assessments were not often reported; when they were, they were infrequently performed. A greater proportion of patients were diagnosed/treated during follow-up studies than in studies evaluating diagnosis/treatment on discharge from acute care. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of individuals who sustain fragility fractures are not receiving adequate osteoporosis management. Future research should address barriers to appropriate management and the efficacy of implementation strategies designed to close the osteoporosis care gap. RELEVANCE: This article is of particular importance to health care professionals who provide care for patients with fragility fracture.

Fractures, Spontaneous↗

The risk of osteoporosis in Caucasian men and women with obstructive airways disease.

PURPOSE: Because patients with obstructive airways disease may be susceptible to osteoporosis, we sought to determine the association between airflow obstruction and osteoporosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from Caucasian participants (n = 9502) in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted in the United States between 1988 and 1994. We used data from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry measurements of the total femur to determine whether a study participant had osteoporosis (defined as total bone mineral density values < or =2.5 SD below the corresponding mean values from young, healthy participants). We calculated the odds ratio (OR) for osteoporosis in four lung function categories: none, mild, moderate, and severe airflow obstruction. RESULTS: Overall, airflow obstruction was associated with increased odds of osteoporosis compared with without airflow obstruction (OR = 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4 to 2.5). Participants with severe airflow obstruction were at especially increased risk (OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.3 to 4.4). Moderate but not mild airflow obstruction was also associated with osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: Airflow obstruction was an important risk factor for osteoporosis in the study population. These data highlight the importance of measuring bone mineral density in those with moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction for the detection and prevention of osteoporosis-related morbidity.

Adult↗

Osteoporosis in lung transplantation candidates with end-stage pulmonary disease.

PURPOSE: Fractures, a common complication of cardiac and liver transplantation, have not been reported in association with lung transplantation. However, many patients with end-stage pulmonary disease have multiple risk factors for osteoporosis, and several studies have suggested that osteoporosis before transplantation may increase the risk of fracture after transplantation. Therefore, we evaluated a group of patients with end-stage pulmonary disease who were awaiting lung transplantation to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis. METHODS: Seventy patients (aged 18-70 years) were evaluated consecutively with bone densitometry by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The patients were predominantly Caucasian (96%). Bone mass was expressed as bone mineral density (BMD; g/cm2), as the number of standard deviations (SD) below peak bone mass (T score), and as bone mineral apparent density (BMAD; g/cm3), a measurement that minimizes the effects of bone size on BMD. Spine radiographs were obtained in a subset of 50 consecutive patients to detect vertebral compression fractures. Vitamin D status was assessed with serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. The patients were sorted into groups by pulmonary diagnosis: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; n = 28); cystic fibrosis (n = 11); idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; and other lung diseases (Other; n = 31). RESULTS: In the group as a whole, osteoporosis (T score below -2.5) was present in 30% of the patients at the lumbar spine and 49% at the femoral neck. Osteopenia (T score between -1 and -2.5) was present in an additional 35% at the lumbar spine and 31% at the femoral neck. The average femoral neck T score of patients with COPD and cystic fibrosis fell into the osteoporotic range (-2.7 +/- 0.3 and -2.6 +/- 0.3, respectively), significantly (P < 0.01) below that of the patients in the Other category (-1.5 +/- 0.3). The average lumbar spine T score fell into the osteopenic range in all three groups. Low BMAD in patients with cystic fibrosis confirmed that their low BMD was not due to their smaller body size. The prevalence rate of vertebral fractures was 29% in patients with COPD and 25% in those with cystic fibrosis. Vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D levels < or = 10 ng/ml) was present in 36% of patients with cystic fibrosis and 20% with COPD and Other lung diseases. Lumbar spine BMD tended to be lower in cystic fibrosis patients with vitamin D deficiency. Patients with exposure to glucocorticoids (n = 46) had significantly more vertebral fractures (P < 0.05) and duration of exposure correlated negatively with lumbar spine BMD (r = -0.398; P = 0.008). COPD and Other patients not on glucocorticoids had mild lumbar spine osteopenia (0.972 +/- 0.06 g/cm2; T = -1.2 +/- 0.6). Very few of the patients on glucocorticoids were on any regimen to prevent osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporosis and vitamin D deficiency are extremely common in patients with end-stage pulmonary disease. Only 34% of patients had normal lumbar spine BMD and only 22% had normal BMD at the hip. Patients with cystic fibrosis and glucocorticoid-treated patients with COPD were most severely affected. Therapies to prevent bone loss and treat established osteoporosis are uncommonly utilized in glucocorticoid-treated patients with end-stage pulmonary disease. Candidates for lung transplantation should be evaluated for osteoporosis and vitamin D deficiency at the time of acceptance to the transplant waiting list.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Can patients with osteoporosis, who should benefit from implementation of the national service framework for older people, be identified from general practice computer records? A pilot study that illustrates the variability of computerized medical records and problems with searching them.

Although UK general practice is highly computerized, comprehensive use of these computers is often limited to registration data and the issue of repeat prescriptions. The recording of diagnostic data is patchy. This study examines whether patients with, or at risk of, osteoporosis can be readily identified from general practice computer records. It reports the findings of a pilot study designed to show the variability of recording the diagnosis of osteoporosis and osteopenia, as well as how useful surrogate markers might be to identify these patients. The study also illustrates the difficulties that even skilled practitioners in a primary care research network experience in extracting clinical data from practice information systems. Computer searches were carried out across six practices in a general practice research network in the south-east of England. Two of these practices had previously undertaken research projects in osteoporosis and were consequently expected to have excellent data quality in osteoporosis. These two practices had a combined list size of 27,500 and the remaining practices had a combined practice population of 43,000 patients. The data were found to be variable with over 10-fold differences between practices in the recorded prevalence of osteoporosis diagnosis as well as its surrogate markers-such as fragility fractures, long-term steroid prescription, etc. There was no difference in data quality between the two practices that had conducted osteoporosis research and the rest of the group, other than in the areas of diagnostic recording and prescribing for osteoporosis and recording of fractures. Issues were raised by the practices that struggled to identify patients at risk of osteoporosis about the limitations of Read classification in this disease area. Practices need further assistance if the patients at risk are to be identified. Without urgent action, it will be difficult for practices to identify the patients who are likely to benefit from Standard 6-'Falls' of the National Service Framework for Older People. These findings also have broader implications as UK general practice moves towards the implementation of a quality-based contract.

Aged↗