Lamivudine, Entecavir, or Tenofovir Treatment of Hepatitis B Infection: Effects on Calcium, Phosphate, FGF23 and Indicators of Bone Metabolism

ABSTRACT Background. Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) are often treated with nucleoside/nucleotide antiviral agents and metabolic bone toxicity is a possible concern. Objective. To determine the relationships between fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a phosphaturic hormone, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone biochemical abnormalities in these patients. Material and methods. This is a cross-sectional observational study comparing HBV-infected subjects treated for at least one year with tenofovir (TDF), lamuvidine (LVD), entacavir (ETV), or not treated (CON). Patients with abnormalities in either calcium (Ca), phosphate (PO4), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) or FGF23 were further evaluated with BMD by DXA. Results. No difference in liver enzymes or renal function seen among groups, but hypophosphatemia was seen in all groups with the highest incidence with TDF treatment (14%). FGF 23 levels were found to be elevated in 11.1% of TDF patients, 2.77% amongst controls. No elevations were found in the LVD or ETV groups. Among a subset of subjects (FGF23, PO4, and/or Ca abnormalities) who underwent further evaluation, 67% had insufficient 25-OH vitamin D, and 30% had elevated 24 h urinary Ca or PO4 excretion. No patients with FGF23 abnormalities had urine abnormalities. 40% had low DXA Z-score (<-2) at spine or hip but there was no difference between control and antiviral treatment groups and the mean FRAX score was 2.33% for major osteoporotic fractures and 0.29% for hip fracture. Conclusion. Abnormalities in bone metabolism, particularly involving vitamin D insufficiency, in HBV-treated subjects were observed with a small increased likelihood in TDF treated patients.

Serotonina: un mensajero entre el cerebro, el intestino y el hueso / Serotonin: a messenger between the brain, the gut, and bone

En los últimos años ha crecido el conocimiento sobre el papel de la serotonina en el recambio óseo. Parece haber un efecto dual, con la serotonina cerebral ejerciendo un efecto anabólicosobre el hueso y la serotonina intestinalfrenando la función osteoblástica, pero han surgido controversias recientes al respecto.Los inhibidores selectivos de la recaptación de serotonina, ampliamente usados para tratar desórdenes afectivos, inducen osteopenia y aumentan el riesgo de fracturas. Se abre la posibilidad de intervenir farmacológicamente para modular la producción de serotonina intestinal como eventual tratamiento de la osteoporosis, pero falta todavía recorrer un largo camino para trasladar los hallazgos básicos a la clínica.

Zolpidem Use and Risk of Fracture in Elderly Insomnia Patients / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the risk of fractures related with zolpidem in elderly insomnia patients. METHODS: Health claims data on the entire South Korean elderly population from January 2005 to June 2006 were extracted from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. We applied a case-crossover design. Cases were defined as insomnia patients who had a fracture diagnosis. We set the hazard period of 1 day length prior to the fracture date and four control periods of the same length at 5, 10, 15, and 20 weeks prior to the fracture date. Time independent confounding factors such as age, gender, lifestyle, cognitive function level, mobility, socioeconomic status, residential environment, and comorbidity could be controlled using the casecrossover design. Time dependent confounding factors, especially co-medication of patients during the study period, were adjusted by conditional logistic regression analysis. The odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for the risk of fracture related to zolpidem. RESULTS: One thousand five hundred and eight cases of fracture were detected in insomnia patients during the study period. In our data, the use of zolpidem increased the risk of fracture significantly (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.72; 95% CI, 1.37 to 2.16). However, the association between benzodiazepine hypnotics and the risk of fracture was not statistically significant (aOR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.21). Likewise, the results were not statistically significant in stratified analysis with each benzodiazepine generic subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Zolpidem could increase the risk of fracture in elderly insomnia patients. Therefore zolpidem should be prescribed carefully and the elderly should be provided with sufficient patient education.

Os glicocorticoides e seus efeitos no crescimento e na mineralização óssea / Effects of glucocorticoids on growth and bone mineralization

OBJETIVO: Revisar os mecanismos de ações dos glicocorticoides e sua capacidade de induzir osteoporose e déficits de crescimento. FONTES DOS DADOS: A revisão bibliográfica de artigos científicos foi realizada na base de dados MEDLINE e utilizou as palavras-chave agrupadas nas sintaxes “glicocorticoides”, “mineralização óssea”, “crescimento” e “efeitos colaterais”, nos últimos 10 anos, e das referências destes nos reportamos para as publicações mais antigas, mas com os estudos fundamentais para a compreensão do assunto. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: Destacam-se ações dos glicocorticoides sobre hormônios e citocinas responsáveis pelo crescimento longitudinal. Os efeitos finais dos glicocorticoides sobre o esqueleto são determinados por ações sistêmicas no metabolismo ósseo e por ações diretas desses esteroides nas células ósseas, levando a mudanças no número e função das mesmas e favorecendo a perda óssea. Discutem-se os mecanismos indutores da recuperação dos canais de crescimento e recuperação da massa óssea após a descontinuação dos glicocorticoides; os métodos diagnósticos do metabolismo e mineralização óssea; assim como medidas terapêuticas e preventivas das alterações óssea induzidas pelos glicocorticoides. CONCLUSÃO: A monitorização de cada paciente é essencial para identificação e potencial reversão dos danos associados ao uso crônico de glicocorticoides.

OBJECTIVE: To review the various mechanisms of glucocorticoid action and the ability of these agents to induce osteoporosis and growth deficits. SOURCES: A review of the scientific literature was conducted on the basis of a MEDLINE search using the keywords and descriptors “glucocorticoids,” “bone mineralization,” “growth,” and “side effects” and limited to articles published in the last decade. The references cited by these articles were used to identify relevant older publications, with an emphasis on landmark studies essential to an understanding of the topic. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Emphasis was placed on the actions of glucocorticoids on the hormones and cytokines that modulate linear growth. The end effects of glucocorticoids on the skeletal system are the result of systemic effects on bone metabolism and of direct actions on bone cells, which alter bone cell counts and predispose to bone loss. The mechanisms underlying catch-up growth and bone mass recovery after discontinuation of glucocorticoid treatment are discussed, followed by a review of diagnostic methods available for assessment of bone metabolism and mineralization and of measures for prevention and management of glucocorticoid-induced bone changes. CONCLUSION: Patient monitoring on a case-by-case basis plays an essential role in detection and, potentially, reversal of the damage associated with chronic glucocorticoid therapy.

Diabetes melito, tiazolidinedionas e fraturas: uma história inacabada / Diabetes mellitus, thiazolidinediones and fractures: an unfinished story

A associação entre diabetes melito e risco aumentado de fraturas é bem estabelecida, sendo observada tanto no diabetes tipo 1 quanto tipo 2, com etiologia multifatorial. Evidências de modelos animais têm indicado que tiazolidinedionas (TZD), por meio da ativação do PPAR-gama, levam a aumento do conteúdo adiposo na medula óssea, em detrimento da osteoblastogênese, resultando em perda óssea. Estudos iniciais em humanos vêm evidenciando maior risco de fraturas na população em uso dessas medicações em relação a outros antidiabéticos orais. Sendo TZD drogas amplamente prescritas no tratamento do diabetes tipo 2, é necessário melhor entendimento dos seus mecanismos de ação e do seu impacto sobre a massa óssea e risco de fraturas, com o intuito de direcionar a abordagem desses pacientes quanto à profilaxia e ao tratamento adequados. Este artigo sumariza o conhecimento corrente sobre a relação entre diabetes, TZD e risco de fraturas, bem como, baseado nas evidências atuais, tenta propor formas de conduzir a população em uso dessas medicações.

The association of diabetes mellitus with increased fracture risk is well established, and is observed in both diabetes type 1 and type 2, due to multiple causes. Evidence from rodents suggests that thiazolidinediones (TZD), by activation of PPAR-gamma, cause increased bone marrow adiposity, with decreased osteoblastogenesis resulting in bone loss. Initial studies in humans evidence higher fracture risk in the population using these drugs, in comparison with other oral antidiabetic medications. TZD are largely prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, therefore, better understanding of their mechanisms of action and impact on bone mass and fracture risk is necessary, in order to guide the management of these patients in regards to prophylaxis and adequate treatment. This article summarizes current knowledge about the relationship between diabetes, TZD and fracture risk as well as, based on current evidence, tries to suggest ways to guide the population using these medications.

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in rheumatic diseases

The aim of this article is to review rheumatological diseases that are associated with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis or fractures and to perform a critical analysis of the current guidelines and treatment regimens. The electronic database MEDLINE was searched using the date range of July 1986 to June 2009 and the following search terms: osteoporosis, bone mineral density, fractures, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, vasculitis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and juvenile dermatomyositis. Osteopenia and osteoporosis respectively account for 1.4 to 68.7 percent and 5.0 to 61.9 percent of adult rheumatological diseases. Among juvenile rheumatological disorders, the frequency of low bone mass ranges from 38.7 to 70 percent. In general, fracture rates vary from 0 to 25 percent. Although glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis has a high rate of prevalence among rheumatic diseases, a relatively low number of patients on continuous glucocorticoid treatment receive adequate diagnostic evaluation or preventive therapy. This deficit in patient care may result from a lack of clear understanding of the attributed risks by the patients and physicians, the high complexity of the treatment guidelines and poor patient compliance.

Tratamiento con bisfosfonatos y fracturas atípicas / Treatment with bisphosphonates and atypical fractures

En los últimos veinticinco años los aminobisfosfonatos se han convertido en las drogas de elección para el tratamiento de la osteoporosis. Son potentes inhibidores de la actividad osteoclástica y reducen la incidencia de nuevas fracturas en pacientes con osteoporosis establecida, pero su prolongada vida media y sus efectos crónicos sobre la fisiología ósea son motivos de preocupación. Teóricamente, una prolongada inhibición del remodelado óseo podría traer aparejada graves efectos adversos, tales como la acumulación de microfracturas y, paradójicamente, la ocurrencia de nuevas fracturas atípicas. Pocos casos de estas infrecuentes fracturas han sido hasta ahora publicados en la literatura mundial. Todas ellas comparten algunas características comunes, además del tratamiento crónico con bisfosfonatos por osteoporosis. La más frecuente es la localización atípica de las mismas. La mayoría ocurren en una o ambas diáfisis femorales, pero también otros huesos pueden estar afectados, entre ellos sacro, isquión, costillas y rama pubiana. Las fracturas son atraumáticas o ante mínimos traumatismos, y en algunos casos fueron precedidas por un dolor prodrómico en la zona de la fractura. Todos los casos tuvieron evidencias bioquímicas o histomorfométricas de bajo recambio óseo. El objetivo de este trabajo es informar sobre tres nuevos casos de pacientes que cumplen con todos los criterios diagnósticos de esta nueva entidad, dos de ellos con fracturas de diáfisis femorales y el restante con fractura de pelvis.

In the last twenty five years aminobisphosphonates have became the drugs of choice for the treatment of osteoporosis. They strongly inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption and reduce the incidence of new fractures in patients with established osteoporosis, but their long half-life and their chronic effects on bone physiology are a matter of concern. Theoretically a harmful consequence of a prolonged inhibition of bone remodeling could be the microdamage accumulation, and paradoxically the occurrence of new and atypical fractures. Until now, few cases of these unusual fractures have been reported in the international literature. All these patients shared some common characteristics, apart from the chronic use of bisphosphonates for the treatment of osteoporosis. The more frequent is the atypical location of the fractures. Since the majority happened in one or both femoral shafts, others bones such as sacrum, ischium, ribs and pubic rami could be affected. The fractures were atraumatic or caused by minimal trauma and, in some cases, it was preceded by a prodromal pain in the affected area. All cases had biochemical or histomorphometric evidence of low bone turnover. The aim of this paper is to report three new cases of patients that fulfill with the diagnostic criteria of this new entity, two of them with femoral shaft fractures and the remainder with a pelvis one.

The Risk of Fracture with Taking Alpha Blockers for Treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the risk of fracture associated with hypotension-related adverse drug reaction caused by taking alpha blockers to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: We used the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database from January 1st 2005 to June 30th 2006 for this study. The male patients with BPH and who had a prescription for alpha blockers following any fractures were defined as the cases. We set the 20 day long hazard period prior to the index date and the four control periods whose lengths were same with hazard period. After 1:4 matching of the hazard and control periods, conditional logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios for the risk of fractures as related to the alpha blocker exposure. RESULTS: Doxazosin and tamsulosin showed the increased risk of fractures, whereas terazosin did not. After stratification using the defined daily doses, a protective effect was shown for the patients who took terazosin at the doses lower than 0.4 DDD and the hazardous effect at the doses higher than or equal to 0.4 DDD. There was no significant difference for the risk of patients taking tamsulosin at the doses higher than 1.0 DDD but there was a statistically significant increase in the risk at the doses higher than or equal to 1.0 DDD. CONCLUSIONS: Alpha blockers for BPH may increase the risk of fracture in elderly patients who have comorbidities and take the concomitant medications. Alpha blockers need to be prescribed with caution, although some have high prostate specificity.