[Evaluation of simple calculated osteoporosis risk estimation [SCORE] in Iranian postmenopausal women]

Osteoporosis is a major health problem for postmenopausal women in all over the world. Use of dual x-ray absorptiometry [DXA] as standard diagnostic procedure, due to the cost is not economical for screening of all postmenopausal women. Based on clinical risk factors, several screening tools have been invented and one of the most popular screening tools is Simple Calculated Osteoporosis Risk Estimation [SCORE]. The objective of this study was to evaluate performance of this tool in screening of Iranian women for osteoporosis. This descriptive - analytical study was performed on 341 postmenopausal women who were referred to Isfahan bone densitometry centre. We made use of the osteoporosis screening tools [SCORE] for postmenopausal women aged 45 years or more, without secondary cause for osteoporosis, and the results were compared with their bone mineral density. Among 341 postmenopausal women, who were studied in this study, 20.8% were osteoporotic [71persons], 39.6% had low bone mineral density in one or both studied areas by DXA and the rest of women [39.6%] were found normal. SCORE tool was shown to have sensitivity about 87.2% [95% CI 97.2%-76.4%] and specificity of 37.9% for screening of low bone mass in postmenopausal women. SCORE tool has acceptable sensitivity and accuracy to be used as a tool to identify low bone mineral density in vast majority of Iranian postmenopausal women

Different duration of colchicine for preventing recurrence of gouty arthritis

Gout is a Common recurrent clinical syndrome characterized by increased serum uric acid and recurrent attacks of acute arthritis. Colchicine is used for Prophylaxis against recurrence of arthritis, but the duration of its administration has mentioned variable. In this study, optimal duration of prophylactic colchicine for prevention of gouty arthritis was assessed. In a clinical trial 190 patients with gouty arthritis divided randomly to group 1,2and 3 and received colchicine for 3 to 6, 7 to 9 and 10 to 12 months then colchicine discontinued and the patients followed one year for recurrence of arthritis. Result assessed by survival analysis with Kaplan 'Meier method. The probability of recurrence of arthritis [in order of duration of colchicine prophylaxis] was 54%, 27.5% and 23%, respectively. The difference between group one and others was statistically significant, but between group 2 and 3 was not statistically significant. The most suitable duration of colchicine prophylaxis that accompanied with lower recurrence rate was 7-9 months, which seems more cost -effective than 10-12 months regimen

Normative bone mineral density in values Isfahani women

The correct interpretation of bone mineral density [BMD] measurement by dual energy x ray absorptiometry [DEXA] requires a population specific reference range. We collected data on age 20-35 years to obtain reference values of BMD for Isfahani women in order to make a population specific diagnosis of osteoporosis. In 660 healthy Isfahani women Volunteers [20-35 years] without illness, use of drugs or predisposing conditions to osteoporosis, the BMD [gr/cm 2] of lumbar spine and non-dominant femur was measured by lunar DPX -IQ machine. The mean BMD and its standard deviations at each site were calculated and compared with normative data from Caucasian US/North European women. No significant differences were detected between them. Bone mineral density measurements of these 660 healthy Isfahani women can serve as a reference guide for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in Isfahani women

Therapeutic effects of joint lavage and steroid injection in patients with primary osteoarthritis of the knee

Background: osteoarthritis [OA] is one of the most common forms of articular disease and one of the major causes of pain and disability especially among the elderly. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of lavage and interaarticular [IA] injection of corticosteroid in the knee joint for the treatment of OA compared to interaarticular injection of corticosteroid alone

Methods: this prospective clinical trial was done on 39 patients. In the first group [lavage plus interaarticular injection], 19 patients were enrolled and in the second group [interaarticular injection alone], 20 patients included. Initially the patients were classified with respect to their intensity of joint pain using a 100 mm visual analog scale [VAS], their global status [0-100] and Lequesne's functional Index [0-25]. These data were obtained at baseline, 4th week, 8th week and 12th week

Results: in the first group, the intensity of pain in 4th, 8th and 12th weeks became significantly attenuated in comparison with baseline value [P<0.001]. Although in the second group its intensity in 4th week became attenuated compared to baseline value [P<0.001], its intensity did not decrease in 8th and 12th week significantly. There were significant changes regarding global status and Lequesne's functional index till 12th week and in the second group till 4th week [P<0.001]. Maximum amount of pain attenuation and improvement in global status and Lequesne's functional index in the first group was observed in 12th week but responsiveness in the second group decreased significantly after 4th week

Conclusion: joint lavage with or without steroid injection relieves pain and improves function, yet joint lavage and IA injection put a longer effect