BMD Measurements (bmd + measurement)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Underdiagnosis of Vertebral Fractures Is a Worldwide Problem: The IMPACT Study

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2005
Pierre D Delmas MD
Abstract Accurate radiographic diagnosis of vertebral fractures is important. This multicenter, multinational study assessed radiographic diagnoses of vertebral fracture in 2451 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Comparison between local and central readings yielded a false-negative rate of 34%. Underdiagnosis of vertebral fracture is a worldwide problem. Introduction: Vertebral fractures are the most common complication of osteoporosis. Although they are associated with significant morbidity, they frequently do not come to clinical attention. Accurate radiographic diagnosis is important. Materials and Methods: In a multicenter, multinational prospective study (the IMPACT trial), the accuracy of radiographic diagnosis of vertebral fracture was evaluated in postmenopausal women 65,80 years of age newly diagnosed with osteoporosis (based on BMD measurement). Lateral radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine were evaluated for identification of vertebral fractures, first locally and subsequently at a central reading center, using a validated semiquantitative method. False-positive and false-negative rates were calculated based on adjudicated discrepancies between the initial interpretation at the local site and the subsequent central reading, considered the "reference standard." Results: Of 2451 women with an evaluable radiograph both centrally and locally, 789 (32%) had at least one vertebral fracture. Adjudicated discrepancies (n = 350 patients) between local and central readings because of undetected vertebral fracture (68%) or equivocal terminology in the local radiology report (32%) yielded a false-negative rate of 34%. Conclusions: Underdiagnosis of vertebral fractures was observed in all geographic regions (false-negative rates: North America, 45.2%; Latin America, 46.5%; Europe/South Africa/Australia, 29.5%). The false-positive rate was 5% globally. Underdiagnosis of vertebral fracture is a worldwide problem attributable in part to a lack of radiographic detection, use of ambiguous terminology in the radiology report, or both. Efforts to improve accuracy and reduce variability in terminology and interpretation may increase the effectiveness of spinal radiography for detecting vertebral fractures in patients with osteoporosis. [source]


Low Bone Mineral Density and Impaired Bone Metabolism in Young Alcoholic Patients Without Liver Cirrhosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 2 2009
Peter Malik
Background:, Osteoporosis is regularly mentioned as a consequence of alcoholism. Ethanol,s direct effect on bone-modeling cells as well as alcoholism-related "life-style factors" such as malnutrition, lack of exercise, hormonal changes, and liver cirrhosis are discussed as potential causative factors. Methods:, In a cross-sectional study, we have examined 57 noncirrhotic alcoholic patients (37 male, 20 female) aged 27 to 50 years. Patients suffering from comorbid somatic diseases and with co-medication known to have an influence on bone mineral density (e.g., glucocorticoids, heparin, anticonvulsant agents, oral contraceptives) were excluded. We determined bone mineral density (BMD) by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the lumbar spine (L1,L4) and the proximal right femur (femoral neck, total hip) as well as parameters of bone metabolism. Results:, In males but not females, BMD was significantly reduced in the lumbar region, as well as in the proximal femur (femoral neck, total hip). Nine male patients (24.3% of men) and 1 female patient (5% of women) had low BMD (defined as Z -score , ,2.0). As expected, there was a positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and BMD. Alcohol-related factors (e.g., duration of abuse, consumed amount of alcohol per day) as well as smoking were not associated with a significant effect on BMD. All of the 20 women examined showed elevated estradiol levels, which may have served as a protective factor. In this study, 75.7% of the men and 90% of the women had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency (plasma levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D < 30 ng/ml). Conclusions:, Our study indicates that younger alcoholic patients without other diseases may suffer from an increased risk to develop low BMD and a disturbance of vitamin D metabolism. Nutritional factors or less exposure to sunlight may play an important role in bone loss in young alcoholic patients. BMD measurement and assessment of bone metabolism should be considered in all patients with chronic alcoholism. [source]


Bone mineral density in hyperthyroidism

CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 4 2004
Helen Karga
Summary objective, To investigate whether previous hyperthyroidism is a cause of permanent secondary osteoporosis. design and patients, In this cross-sectional study, 164 women with untreated or previously treated overt and symptomatic hyperthyroidism were examined 0,31 years after the initial episode of hyperthyroidism and its treatment, and were compared with a control group of 79 age-matched women without previous history of hyperthyroidism. Subjects with current or previous metabolic bone disease, any antiresorptive treatment for osteoporosis or treatments and habits known to affect bone metabolism were excluded. measurements, The age of the first manifestation of the disease, the age at the measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) at the spine and femoral neck and the interval between diagnosis and treatment of hyperthyroidism and BMD measurement were recorded and the Z-scores and T-scores of BMD were analysed. results, Untreated hyperthyroidism and hyperthyroidism up to 3 years after its diagnosis and treatment were associated with decreased BMD. Three or more years after the first episode of the disease the mean Z-score at both skeletal sites was near zero and not different from the controls. The age at which hyperthyroidism was manifested for the first time had no effect on the final outcome. Women affected at a young age (13,30 years) had a more pronounced loss of BMD when examined untreated or early (< 3 years) after diagnosis, but a BMD significantly above zero if examined later (> 3 years). Older women (aged 51,70 years) showed a similar pattern, although the differences were not significant. Middle-aged subjects (31,50 years) had the smallest loss of BMD during the first 3 years. Analysis of T-scores of former hyperthyroid women aged , 51 years showed no significantly different relative risk (RR) for osteoporosis in comparison with the controls. However, the study was not powered enough to give meaningful RR results. conclusions, Overt symptomatic hyperthyroidism is associated with decreased BMD during the first 3 years after diagnosis and treatment of the disease. After this interval, former hyperthyroid women have a Z-score near zero and not different from women without a history of the disease, apparently because of recovery of the bone density lost early during the course of the disease. Symptomatic hyperthyroidism does not seem to be a cause of long-lasting osteoporosis, and the age of the patient during the first episode is irrelevant. [source]


The frequency of low bone mineral density and its associated risk factors in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 3 2010
Yasser EZZAT
Abstract Objective:, To detect the frequency and the predictive factors of low bone mineral density in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, so as to optimize bone mineral density (BMD) monitoring and treatment for those at risk. Subjects and methods:, Thirty Asian patients were included in this study and were divided into 18 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 12 patients with Crohn's disease (CD). All patients were diagnosed by colonoscopy and histopathological biopsy and were subjected to routine laboratory investigations in addition to 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels as well as serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatise. BMD was measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan at lumbar spine and femoral neck; predictive factors for BMD were analyzed by group comparison and step-wise regression analysis. Results:, There was increased frequency of osteoporosis and osteopenia involving the lumbar spine in patients with IBD being more common among CD patients than in the UC group. Positive correlations were found between low BMD measurements and vitamin D levels, body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.001) as well as steroid cumulative dose and duration of therapy (P < 0.001); stepwise regression analysis showed that CD and vitamin D deficiency are predictive factors for both osteoporosis and osteopenia (P = 0.024, P = 0.027, respectively). Conclusion:, Low BMD was found to be more frequent among patients with CD than UC; in addition CD and vitamin D deficiency act as predictive factors for low BMD. We recommend that calcium and vitamin D should be given to all IBD patients; in addition, bisphosphonate administration should be put into consideration. [source]


Prevalence and predictors of osteoporosis and the impact of life style factors on bone mineral density

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 3 2007
Abdulbari BENER
Abstract Aim:, The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of osteoporosis and the impact of life style factors on bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal and postmenopausal Qatari women. Methods:, This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 821 healthy Qatari women aged 20,70 years had given consent and participated and the study was conducted from June 2005 to December 2006 at the Rumaillah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Doha, State of Qatar. All subjects completed a questionnaire on reproductive and life style factors. Height and weight were measured. All subjects underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to determine factors influencing BMD of the spine and femur. The main outcome measures were menopausal status, socio-demographic and lifestyle factors and BMD measurements. Results:, The prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women was 12.3%. BMI was significantly higher among postmenopausal women (P < 0.001) when compared to premenopausal women. The subjects who regularly consumed dairy products had better BMD at spine, neck and ward sites (P < 0.05). Those doing regular household work for 3,4 h a week had higher BMD at all sites compared to those who did not do their own household work. Multiple regression analysis showed that education level and body mass index were strong positive predictors showing high significance. Conclusion:, The relation between lifestyle and BMD were explored in Qatari women. The prevalence of osteoporosis in Qatari women is comparable to other countries. BMD values were higher in women who were taking diary products regularly, and were involved with household work. [source]


Childhood Fractures Do Not Predict Future Fractures: Results From the European Prospective Osteoporosis Study,,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 7 2009
Stephen R Pye
Abstract Childhood fractures are common. Their clinical relevance to osteoporosis and fractures in later life is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive risk of childhood fracture on the risk of fracture in later life. Men and women ,50 yr of age were recruited from population registers for participation in the European Prospective Osteoporosis Study (EPOS). Subjects completed an interviewer administered questionnaire that included questions about previous fractures and the age at which the first of these fractures occurred. Lateral spine radiographs were performed to ascertain prevalent vertebral deformities. Subjects were followed prospectively by postal questionnaire to determine the occurrence of clinical fractures. A subsample of subjects had BMD measurements performed. Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the predictive risk of childhood fracture between the ages of 8 and 18 yr on the risk of future limb fracture and logistic regression was used to determine the association between reported childhood fractures and prevalent vertebral deformity. A total of 6451 men (mean age, 63.8 yr) and 6936 women (mean age, 63.1 yr) were included in the analysis. Mean follow-up time was 3 yr. Of these, 574 (8.9%) men and 313 (4.5%) women reported a first fracture (any site) between the ages of 8 and 18 yr. A recalled history of any childhood fracture or forearm fracture was not associated with an increased risk of future limb fracture or prevalent vertebral deformity in either men or women. Among the 4807 subjects who had DXA measurements, there was no difference in bone mass among those subjects who had reported a childhood fracture and those who did not. Our data suggest that self-reported previous childhood fracture is not associated with an increased risk of future fracture in men or women. [source]


Ghrelin and Bone: Is There an Association in Older Adults?: The Rancho Bernardo Study,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 5 2006
Lauren A Weiss
Abstract Laboratory studies suggest that ghrelin is involved in bone metabolism, but studies of ghrelin and bone in humans are limited. We studied sex-specific associations of ghrelin with BMD, NTX, and bone loss. Ghrelin was not associated with BMD or bone loss in either sex. There was a significant inverse association with NTX in men but not in women. Introduction: Ghrelin is a gastric hormone recently shown to be associated with bone metabolism in animal and in vitro studies. Studies in humans are limited. We investigated the association of ghrelin with BMD, the bone resorption marker N-telopeptide (NTX), and bone loss in older men and women. Materials and Methods: Participants were 977 community-dwelling men and non,estrogen-using postmenopausal women, 50,91 years of age. Plasma ghrelin was measured by radioimmunoassay from blood obtained between 1984 and 1987. Between 1988 and 1991, BMD was measured at the midshaft radius by single photon absorptiometry and at the femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine by DXA. Axial BMD measurements were repeated an average of 4 years later in 544 participants. Bone turnover was assessed by NTX in urine obtained at the same time as the initial BMD. Multiple regression analyses were used to test sex-specific associations of ghrelin with BMD, NTX, and bone loss in both sexes. Results: No significant ghrelin,BMD or ghrelin,bone loss associations were observed in either sex, after adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI). Ghrelin was inversely associated with NTX in men and positively associated with NTX in women, independent of age. After adjusting for both age and BMI, this association reached statistical significance in men and was weakened in women. Conclusions: Ghrelin may be associated with bone turnover, but there is no evidence for an association with BMD or short-term change in BMD in older adults. [source]


Intravenous Bisphosphonate Therapy Increases Radial Width in Adults With Osteogenesis Imperfecta,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 8 2005
Davide Gatti
Abstract Neridronate therapy in adult patients with OI significantly increases the cross-sectional area of the proximal radius. This observation may provide an additional explanation for the antifracture efficacy of bisphosphonates. Introduction: Bisphosphonate therapy decreases by 70-90% the fracture risk in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). This decrease is somewhat greater than that expected from the BMD changes, supporting the hypothesis that bisphosphonate therapy is associated with structural changes, not detectable by BMD measurements. Materials and Methods: To explore this hypothesis, pQCT measurements at the nondominant radius were obtained in a group of adult OI patients participating in a randomized clinical trial with neridronate. Results: The total volumetric BMD of the ultradistal radius rose significantly in patients treated with neridronate and calcium + vitamin D (neridronate group) compared with patients treated with calcium + vitamin D alone (control group). No significant differences were observed in trabecular BMD and in volumetric cortical density in either group. In the neridronate group, the cross-sectional area rose significantly versus both baseline values and the control group. These latter changes were associated with ,20% increases in bending breaking resistance index (BBRI). Conclusion: Our observation, if extended to postmenopausal osteoporosis, may provide a new explanation for the fracture risk reduction observed in osteoporotic patients treated with bisphosphonates. [source]


Quantitative Ultrasound Assessment in Children With Fractures,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 8 2004
Johannes Schalamon
Abstract BMD of children with fractures was compared with healthy controls using QUS. We found significantly lower SOS values in children suffering from fractures. None of the studied environmental factors could explain the difference in BMD measurements. Introduction: The aims of this study were to compare the results of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in children with fractures with the respective values in children without fractures and to identify possible environmental factors influencing speed of sound (SOS) in our study cohort. Materials and Methods: BMD was measured by QUS in 50 children who had sustained an acute fracture and in 154 healthy children as controls. SOS values were obtained from the proximal phalanges of the last four fingers of the dominant hand. Nutritional habits and activity level of the children were documented by a standardized questionnaire. Results: Children with fractures had a significantly lower SOS compared with children without a history of fractures. This difference in SOS could not be explained by differences in diet, body mass index, or physical activity. Conclusions: Previous studies have suggested that low BMD levels might contribute to an increased prevalence of fractures in patients with systemic diseases. Our study showed that, in an otherwise healthy pediatric population, the SOS values are lower in children with fractures compared with healthy controls. Despite statistical significance, the biological impact of the results remains unclear. The difference in SOS values could not be explained by any of the studied environmental factors. [source]


Generalized Low Areal and Volumetric Bone Mineral Density in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 8 2000
J. C. Y. Cheng
Abstract Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) may be associated with generalized low bone mineral status. The bone mineral density (BMD) of 75 girls of 12,14 years of age and diagnosed as having AIS were compared with 94 age-matched female control subjects. Areal BMD (aBMD) of the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and the bilateral proximal femur were measured using -energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and volumetric BMD (vBMD) of the nondominant distal radius and bilateral distal tibias was measured with peripheral quantitative computer tomography (pQCT). Relevant anthropometric parameters and the severity of the spinal deformity (Cobb's angle) also were evaluated and correlated with the BMD measurements. Results revealed the presence of a generalized lower bone mineral status in AIS patients. Detailed analysis showed that the aBMD and vBMD measured at the bilateral lower extremities were significantly lower in AIS patients when compared with the same in the normal controls. The most significant effect was seen in the trabecular BMD (tBMD) of the distal tibias. Of all the AIS girls, 38% of the aBMD and 36% of the vBMD were below ,1 SD of the normal. BMD was found to correlate better with "years since menarche" (YSM) than with chronological age. When the BMD was evaluated for the 3 YSM groups, aBMD of the proximal femur and tBMD of distal tibias were found to be significantly lower in the AIS patients. Neither the aBMD nor the vBMD of AIS patients was found to be associated with the severity of spinal deformity. In addition, anthropometric measurements showed significantly longer arm span and lower extremities in the AIS girls. We concluded that the AIS girls had generalized lower aBMDs and vBMDs. [source]


Bone mineral content and bone metabolism in young adults with severe periodontitis

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 6 2001
Nina Von Wowern
Abstract Objectives: To clarify in young adults with severe periodontitis (1) whether the bone mineral content (BMC) or density (BMD) in the mandible/other skeletal sites and the systemic bone metabolism differed from normal and (2) whether mandibular/forearm BMC did change during the 5 to 10-year follow-up. Material and Methods: 24 young otherwise normal patients with verified severe periodontitis were included, of which 20 attended the follow-up visit. Mandibular/forearm BMC was measured at both visits by dual-photon absorptiometry, supplemented with femoral neck/lumbar spine BMD measurements at follow-up visit by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum alkaline phosphatase/ionized calcium, urinary excretion of pyridinoline/deoxy-pyridinoline were analysed at the follow-up visit. A conventional periodontal examination was performed at both visits. Results: Mandibular BMC was significantly below normal mean BMC at both visits. The mandibular Z-scores were ,2.00 in 33.3% (8/24). BMC/BMD in the remaining sites and the values for bone markers did not differ from normal. Mandibular/forearm BMC was stable while a significant aggravation of alveolar bone loss occurred during the trial without change of probing depth. Conclusions: Severe periodontitis in young adults seems to be a local disorder associated with relatively low BMC in the jaws without systemic alterations of BMC/BMD and bone metabolism. Zusammenfassung Zielsetzung: Abklärung ob bei jungen Erwachsenen mit schwerer Parodontitis (1) der Mineralgehalt und die Dichte des Knochens im Unterkiefer bzw. anderen Teilen des Skeletts sowie deer Knochenstoffwechsel sich von normalen Verhältnissen unterscheiden und (2) ob sich der Mineralgehalt des Unterkiefer- bzw. des Unterarmknochens während eines Beobachtungszeitraums von 5 bis 10 Jahren verändern. Material und Methoden: 24 allgemein gesunde Patienten mit schwerer Parodontitis nahmen an der Studie teil von denen 20 an der Nachuntersuchung teilnahme. Der Mineralgehalt des Unterkiefer- bzw. Unterarmknochens wurde bei beiden Untersuchungen mittels Dual-Photonen-Absorptiometrie bestimmt. Zusätzlich wurden bei der Nachuntersuchung die Knochendichte des Obserschenkelhalses und der Lendenwirbel mittels Dual-Energie-Röntgen-Absorptiometrie erfaßt. Die Serumkonzentrationen alkalischer Phosphatase sowie der Kalzium-Ionen und die Ausscheidung von Pyridinolin sowie Desoxypyridinolin im Urin wurden bei der Nachuntersuchung analysiert. Zu jedem Untersuchungstermin fand eine klinische Untersuchung der parodontalen Verhältnisse statt. Ergebnisse: Der Mineralgehalt des Unterkieferknochens lag zu beiden Untersuchungsterminen unter den mittleren Normalwerten. Die Z-Werte des Unterkiefers lagen in 8 von 24 Fällen (33.3%) ,2.00. Der Mineralgehalt und die Dichte des Knochens der übrigen Regionen und die Werte der Knochenmarker unterschieden sich nicht von den Normalwerten. Der Mineralgehalt des Unterkiefer- und Unterarmknochens verhielt sich während des Untersuchungszeitraumes stabil, während es zu einer deutlichen Verschlimmerung des alveolären Knochenabbaus ohne Veränderung der Sondierungstiefen kam. Schlußfolgerungen: Bei schwerer Parodontitis bei jungen Erwachsenen scheint es sich um eine lokale Störung mit relativ geringem Mineralgehalt der Kieferknochen zu handeln ohne systemische Veränderungen von Mineralgehalt und Dichte des Knochens bzw. des Knochenstoffwechsels. Résumé Le but de cette étude était de connaître chez les jeunes adultes souffrant de parodontite sévère (1) si le contenu en minéraux osseux (BMC) ou la densité (BMD) dans des sites mandibulaires ou du squelette et le métabolisme osseux systémique étaient différents par rapport à ceux de personnes normales et (2) si le BMC de la mandibule ou de l'avant-bras changeait durant une période de suivi de 5 à 10 années. 24 patients normaux mais souffrant de parodontite sévère ont été inclus dans cette investigation mais seul 20 ont poursuivi l'étude. Le BMC de la mandibule et de l'avant-bras ont été mesurés aux 2 sites par absorptiométrie par photon double, avec également des mesures BMD au niveau du fémur et de la colonne vertébrale lors de la visite de suivi par absorptiométrie par RX àénergie double. Le calcium ionisé par phosphatase alcaline sérique et l'excrétion urinaire de pyridinoline/deoxypyridinoline ont été analysés lors de l'examen de suivi. Un examen parodontal conventionnel a été effectué aux 2 visites. Le BMC mandibulaire était significativement inférieur au BMC moyen normal lors des deux visites. Les scores Z mandibulaires étaient ,2.00 dans 33.3% (8/24) des cas. BMC/BMD dans les sites restants et les valeurs des marqueurs osseux ne différaient pas des normaux. BMC mandibulaire/avant-bras était stable tandis qu'une aggravation significative de la perte osseuse alvéolaire se produisait durant l'étude sans changement de la profondeur au sondage. La parodontite sévère chez les jeunes adultes semble être un désordre local associéà un BMC relativement bas dans les mâchoires sans altération systémique de BMC/BMD ni du métabolisme osseux. [source]


Bone mineral metabolism changes in epileptic children receiving valproic acid

JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 8 2004
N Öner
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in epileptic children receiving valproic acid (VPA) and to determine differences between osteopenic and non-osteopenic children. Methods: Thirty-three epileptic children, receiving VPA for at least 6 months, were compared with 33 healthy children for BMD. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at lumbar vertebrae, femoral neck and greater trochanter. Serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphates, osteocalcin and VPA levels were also determined. Results: Patient's osteocalcin levels were significantly higher (P = 0.02) and femur and trochanter BMD values were significantly lower (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively). Duration of VPA therapy was significantly longer and doses of VPA were significantly higher in seven osteopenic patients compared with 26 non-osteopenic patients. Osteopenic patients (4.6 ± 2.4 years) were younger than non-osteopenic patients (7.8 ± 3.2 years) (P = 0.01). Conclusion: Long-term and high dose VPA therapy may cause osteopenia, primarily in younger epileptic children. These patients should be followed closely by BMD measurements. [source]


Generalized bone loss as a predictor of three-year radiographic damage in African American patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis

ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 8 2010
Jie Zhang
Objective To examine the association between baseline bone mineral density (BMD) and radiographic damage at 3 years of disease duration in a longitudinal cohort of African Americans with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods African American RA patients with a disease duration of <2 years (n = 141) were included in the study. All patients underwent baseline BMD measurements (femoral neck and/or lumbar spine) using dual x-ray absorptiometry. T scores were calculated using normative data from the general population of African Americans. Patients were categorized as having osteopenia/osteoporosis (T score less than or equal to ,1) or as being healthy. Hand and wrist radiographs, obtained at baseline and at 3 years of disease duration, were scored using the modified Sharp/van der Heijde method. The association between baseline BMD and total radiographic score at 3 years of disease was examined using multivariable negative binomial regression. Results At baseline, the mean age and the mean disease duration were 52.4 years and 14.8 months, respectively; 85.1% of the patients were women. The average total radiographic scores at baseline and at 3 years of disease were 2.4 and 5.7, respectively. In the final reduced multivariable model, adjusting for age, sex, anti,cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody positivity, and the presence of radiographic damage at baseline, the total radiographic score at 3 years disease in patients with osteopenia/osteoporosis of the femoral neck was twice that in patients with normal bone density, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0084). No association between lumbar spine osteopenia/osteoporosis and radiographic score was found. Conclusion Our findings suggest that reduced generalized BMD may be a predictor of future radiographic damage and support the hypothesis that radiographic damage and reduced generalized BMD in RA patients may share a common pathogenic mechanism. [source]


Effects of 10 years of growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy in adult GH-deficient men

CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 3 2005
Lucia I. Arwert
Summary Objective, GH-deficient adults have changes in body composition, bone mineral density (BMD) and lipid profile that can be altered by GH substitution. However, long-term data on GH substitution (up to 10 years of follow-up) are limited. Design, The effects of 10 years of GH replacement therapy on BMD, body composition, bone parameters, serum lipids and glucose metabolism were studied. Patients, Twenty-three childhood-onset GH-deficient men (mean age at baseline 28·6 years) were studied during 10 years of GH substitution therapy. A group of 19 age-matched healthy men served as a control group for BMD measurements at baseline and after 10 years. Results, BMD of the lumbar spine increased during the 10 years of GH therapy. Bone markers and BMD in the hip increased during the first 5 years of GH therapy, but were not different from baseline after 10 years. BMD changes over time in the lumbar spine and femoral neck were significantly different in the patients compared to the controls. After 10 years the difference between the groups had decreased, but BMD was still higher in the controls than in the patients. Lipid profile had improved after 10 years of GH therapy, but body mass index (BMI), waist,hip ratio (WHR), fasting glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) had increased compared to baseline. Conclusions, This long-term follow-up study found that 10 years of GH substitution in GH-deficient men causes sustained improvements in BMD in the lumbar spine and lipid profile but not in body composition. [source]


Does subclinical hypercortisolism adversely affect the bone mineral density of patients with adrenal incidentalomas?

CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 1 2003
D. Hadjidakis
Summary objective Subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) is detected increasingly in a substantial proportion of patients with incidentally discovered adrenal adenomas. The clinical implications of SH are currently unclear. Osteoporosis is a well-known complication of glucocorticoid excess. So far, the impact of SH on bone mineral density (BMD) has been studied in a limited number of reports with discordant results. In the present study we evaluated the BMD in a large cohort of post-menopausal women with adrenal incidentalomas. patients and measurements,Forty-two post-menopausal women with incidentally discovered adrenal masses and radiological features highly suggestive of benign adrenal adenomas were investigated. All patients underwent a standard low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST; 0·5 mg 6-hourly for 2 days). The diagnosis of subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) was based on post-LDDST cortisol concentrations of > 70 nmol/l. According to this criterion patients were subdivided into two groups: with (n = 18; group A) or without (n = 24; group B) SH. There was no significant difference in age, years since menopause and body mass index between these groups. BMD was measured at L2,L4 vertebrae and three sites of the proximal femur by the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) method. results Post-menopausal women with SH (group A) exhibited slightly but significantly lower absolute and age-adjusted BMD values compared to group B patients in the femoral neck (BMD g/cm2: 0·72 ± 0·08 vs. 0·79 ± 0·09; Z -score: ,0·20 ± 0·82 vs. +0·43 ± 0·94, P < 0·05) and trochanter (BMD g/cm2: 0·60 ± 0·09 vs. 0·69 ± 0·10; Z -score: ,0·32 ± 1·0 vs. +0·30 ± 1·05, P < 0·01). BMD measurements of the Ward's triangle were also lower in group A patients but the difference did not reach statistical significance (BMD g/cm2: 0·60 ± 0·10 vs. 0·68 ± 0·13, P = 0·06). There was no difference in the lumbar vertebrae between the two groups (BMD g/cm2: 0·888 ± 0·13 vs. 0·90 ± 0·16, P = 0·78; z-score: +0·50 ± 1·16 vs. +0·11 ± 1·5, P = 0·36). The number of patients in the osteoporotic range was minimal with no significant difference between the two groups. However, the frequency of osteopenia in group A was significantly greater than in group B patients in the trochanter and Ward's triangle areas. Serum osteocalcin (BGP) levels were significantly lower in group A compared to group B patients (18·6 ± 8·6 vs. 26·2 ± 8·1 ng/ml, P < 0·01); no difference existed regarding parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations (43 ± 15·6 vs. 41·2 ± 14·8 pg/ml, P = 0·72). conclusions In this series, post-menopausal women with subclinical hypercortisolism had lower absolute and age-adjusted BMD values and a higher rate of osteopaenia in the trabecular loaded and mixed cortical,trabecular bone of proximal femur. These data demonstrate that the subtle hypercortisolism of patients with adrenal incidentalomas may have an adverse effect on the bone mass of these patients. [source]