Uso de bifosfonatos en pacientes con osteopenia / Biphosphonates in patients with osteopenia

La osteopenia, una disminución de la densidad mineral ósea de menor severidad que la osteoporosis, definida por valores de T-score entre -1,0 y -2,5 en la densitometría ósea , podría asociarse con un mayor riesgo de fracturas. Motivado por el pedido de una paciente con osteopenia que solicita a su médico algún medicamento que le ayude a disminuir su riesgo de fracturas, el autor se pregunta si los bifosfonatos podrían ser beneficiosos para las pacientes con este factor de riesgo. Luego de realizar una búsqueda bibliográfica y seleccionar la evidencia más reciente y de mejor calidad, se concluye que estos fármacos podrían ser útiles para prevenir fracturas en mujeres mayores de 65 años con elevado riesgo de fractura,independientemente del resultado de la densitometría. (AU)

Osteopenia, a minor decrease in bone mineral density, defined by T-score values between -1.0 and -2.5 in a bone densitometry, is associated with an increased risk of fractures. Moved by the request of a patient with osteopenia who asks her doctor for any medication that may help her reduce his risk of fractures, the author wonders if bisphosphonates could be beneficial for patients with this condition. After conducting a bibliographic search and selecting the most recent and best quality evidence, he concluded that these drugs could be useful to prevent fractures in women older than 65 years with ahigh risk of fracture, regardless of densitometry results. (AU)

Functionality, comorbidity, complication & surgery of hip fracture in older adults by age distribution

SUMMARY BACKGROUND Hip fractures may be the greatest complication secondary to osteoporotic disorder. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of age distribution in the functionality, comorbidity, complications and surgical features of older adults with hip fractures. METHODS A prospective cohort study was carried out from 2013 to 2014. A sample of 557 adults over 75 years old with osteoporotic hip fractures was recruited from the Orthogeriatric Unit of the León University Hospital (Spain). Age distributions of 75-84, 85-90 and >90 years old were considered. Firstly, sociodemographic data, fracture type and hospital staying days were collected. Secondly, baseline functionality (Barthel index), ambulation, cognitive impairment and comorbidities were described. Thirdly, surgical intervention, urgency, type, American Association of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores, non-surgical cause, and baseline pharmacologic treatments were determined. Finally, complications and features at hospital discharge were observed. RESULTS The age ranges did not show any statistically-significant differences (P<.05; R2=.000-.005) for gender, fracture type, or number of hospital staying days. Statistically-significant differences (P<.05; R2=.011-.247) between age groups were observed for Barthel index, cognitive impairment, dementia, osteoporosis, Parkinson's disease, aortic stenosis, surgery type, ASA-score, non-surgical cause, benzodiazepines, antidementia, anti-osteoporosis, insulin, pharmacologic treatments, renal function alteration, heart failure, destination and ambulation features. All other measurements did not show statistically-significant differences (P>.05; R2=.000-.010). CONCLUSION Age distributions greater than 75 years old may determine the functionality, comorbidities, surgical features, baseline pharmacologic treatments, complications and features at hospital discharge for older adults who suffer a hip fracture.

RESUMO CONTEXTO As fraturas do quadril podem ser a maior complicação secundária à doença osteoporótica. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a influência da distribuição etária na funcionalidade, comorbidade, complicações e características cirúrgicas de idosos com fratura de quadril. MÉTODOS Um estudo prospectivo de coorte foi realizado de 2013-2014. Uma amostra de 557 adultos mais velhos, com mais de 75 anos, com fratura de quadril osteoporótica foi recrutada na Unidade Ortogeriátrica do Hospital Universitário de León (Espanha). As distribuições de idade de 75-84, 85-90 e >90 anos foram consideradas. Em primeiro lugar, foram coletados dados sociodemográficos, tipo de fratura e dias de permanência hospitalar. Em segundo lugar, foram descritas funcionalidades de base (índice Barthel), ambulação, comprometimento cognitivo e comorbidades. Em terceiro lugar, determinaram-se a intervenção cirúrgica, a urgência, o tipo, os resultados da Associação Americana de Anestesiologistas (ASA), a causa não cirúrgica e os tratamentos farmacológicos iniciais. Finalmente, foram observadas complicações e características na alta hospitalar. RESULTADOS As faixas etárias não mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas (P <,05; R2 = ,000-,005) para sexo, tipo de fratura ou dias de permanência hospitalar. Foram apresentadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas (P <,05; R2 = ,011-,247) para o índice de Barthel, comprometimento cognitivo, demência, osteoporose, doença de Parkinson, estenose aórtica, tipo de cirurgia, pontuação ASA, causa não cirúrgica, benzodiazepínicos, antidementia, antiosteoporose, insulina, tratamentos farmacológicos, alteração da função renal, insuficiência cardíaca, destino e características de ambulação entre grupos etários. O restante das medidas não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa (P> 0,05; R2 = ,000-,010). CONCLUSÃO As distribuições de idade após 75 anos podem determinar a funcionalidade, comorbidades, características cirúrgicas, tratamentos farmacológicos de base, complicações e características na alta hospitalar de adultos mais velhos que sofrem fratura de quadril.

The Effect of FRAX on the Prediction of Osteoporotic Fractures in Urban Middle-aged and Elderly Healthy Chinese Adults

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to analyze the applicability of a fracture risk assessment tool for the prediction of osteoporotic fractures in middle-aged and elderly healthy Chinese adults. METHODS: A standard questionnaire was administered, and bone mineral density was measured in residents visiting the Dongliu Street Community Health Service Center. Paired t-tests were used to compare the FRAX-based probabilities of fractures estimated with and without consideration of bone mineral density. Risk stratification and partial correlation analyses were applied to analyze the associations between FRAX-based probabilities and body mass index or bone mineral density at different sites. RESULTS: A total of 444 subjects were included in this study. Of these subjects, 175 (39.59%) were diagnosed as osteoporotic, and 208 (47.06%) were diagnosed as osteopenic. The Kappa value for the detection of osteoporosis at the L1-L4 lumbar spine and femoral neck was 0.314. The FRAX-based 10-year major osteoporotic fracture probability and hip osteoporotic fracture probability estimated without considering bone mineral density were 4.93% and 1.64%, respectively; when estimated while considering bone mineral density, these probabilities were 4.97% and 1.54%, respectively. A significant positive association was observed between the FRAX-based fracture probabilities estimated with and without consideration of bone mineral density, while significant negative associations between body mass index and the estimated FRAX-based fracture probabilities after adjustment for age and the estimated FRAX-based fracture probabilities and femoral neck bone mineral density were identified. These results remained the same after controlling for lumbar spine bone mineral density. CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese FRAX model could predict osteoporotic fracture risk regardless of whether bone mineral density was considered and was especially appropriate for predicting osteoporotic fractures of the femoral neck.

Asymptomatic vertebral fractures in patients with low bone mineral density / Fraturas vertebrais assintomáticas em indivíduos com baixa massa óssea

Summary Objective: Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) is a test technique that can be used to detect asymptomatic vertebral fractures (AVF). It uses dual energy X-ray bsorptiometry (DXA) and can be performed concurrently with bone densitometry. This study aims to assess the prevalence of AVF in patients with low bone mass. Methods: Cross-sectional study including 135 individuals with low bone mineral density (BMD) with a T-score < -2.0 standard deviation (SD) in a densitometry clinic located in the city of Blumenau (state of Santa Catarina). Anthropometric, clinical and lifestyle variables were obtained from history-taking and physical examination. Densitometric variables were obtained by bone mineral densitometry and VFA (Explorer, Hollogic®). Vertebral fractures were classified according to the Genant criteria. Student's t, chi-square and logistic regression were performed for statistical analysis. Results: AVFs occurred in 24.4% of the subjects. They were older compared to those without AVF (65±9.25 versus 60.1±8.66; p=0.005), and had a history of lowimpact fractures (38.24% versus 19.8%; OR 2.5; p=0.03). Half of the patients that reported steroid therapy had AVFs, compared to one fifth of those who did not use steroids (50% versus 21.49%; OR 3.6; p=0.01). Conclusion: Asymptomatic vertebral fractures were present in approximately one fourth of patients. The risk factors associated were history of low-impact fracture, use of steroids and age > 61 years.

Resumo Objetivos: vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) é uma técnica de exame que pode ser aplicada na detecção de fraturas vertebrais assintomáticas (FVA). Utiliza absorciometria de raios-X de dupla energia (DXA) e pode ser realizada concomitantemente ao exame de densitometria óssea. Este estudo visa a avaliar a prevalência de FVA em indivíduos com baixa massa óssea. Métodos: estudo transversal realizado em 135 indivíduos, com baixa densidade mineral óssea (DMO), com T-score < -2,0 desvio padrão (DP), em uma clínica de densitometria de Blumenau (SC). As variáveis antropométricas, clínicas e referentes ao estilo de vida foram obtidas por anamnese e exame clínico; as variáveis densitométricas foram obtidas por DMO e VFA (aparelho modelo Explorer, marca Hollogic®). As fraturas vertebrais foram classificadas de acordo com os critérios de Genant. Os testes estatísticos foram t de student, qui-quadrado e regressão logística. Resultados: FVA ocorreram em 24,4% dos indivíduos. A idade desses indivíduos foi superior à dos indivíduos sem FVA (65±9,25 vs. 60,1±8,66; p=0,005), assim como o antecedente de fratura por baixo impacto (38,24% vs.19,8%; OR 2,5; p=0,03). A metade dos indivíduos que relataram corticoterapia possuíam FVA, contrastando com um quinto dos indivíduos sem corticoterapia (50% vs. 21,49%; OR 3,6; p=0,01). Conclusão: fraturas vertebrais assintomáticas estiveram presentes em aproximadamente um quarto dos pacientes. Os fatores de risco associados foram história de fratura por baixo impacto, corticoterapia e idade > 61 anos.

Whole-body vibration improves fracture healing and bone quality in rats with ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of vibration therapy on the bone callus of fractured femurs and the bone quality of intact femurs in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Fifty-six rats aged seven weeks were divided into four groups: control with femoral fracture (CON, n=14), ovariectomized with femoral fracture (OVX, n=14), control with femoral fracture plus vibration therapy (CON+VT, n=14), and ovariectomized with femoral fracture plus vibration therapy (OVX+VT, n=14). Three months after ovariectomy or sham surgery, a complete fracture was produced at the femoral mid-diaphysis and stabilized with a 1-mm-diameter intramedullary Kirschner wire. X-rays confirmed the fracture alignment and fixation. Three days later, the VT groups underwent vibration therapy (1 mm, 60 Hz for 20 minutes, three times per week for 14 or 28 days). The bone and callus quality were assessed by densitometry, three-dimensional microstructure, and mechanical test. RESULTS : Ovariectomized rats exhibited a substantial loss of bone mass and severe impairment in bone microarchitecture, both in the non-fractured femur and the bone callus. Whole-body vibration therapy exerted an important role in ameliorating the bone and fracture callus parameters in the osteoporotic bone. CONCLUSION: Vibration therapy improved bone quality and the quality of the fracture bone callus in ovariectomized rats.

Placa helicoidal en el tratamiento de fractura del húmero por cirugía mínimamente invasiva. Reporte de un caso / Helical plate in treating humerus fracture by minimally invasive surgery

Las fracturas del extremo proximal del húmero en pacientes osteoporóticos, pueden resultar en patrones complejos, como aquellos donde ocurre extensión a la diáfisis. El tratamiento de estas fracturas ha sido controversial durante largo tiempo, con distintos resultados. Las técnicas de osteosíntesis mínimamente invasiva con placa para el tratamiento de las fracturas del húmero han sido usadas para minimizar la disección de las partes blandas y lesión de estructuras neurovasculares. El principio helicoidal, es un concepto biomecánico aplicable al tratamiento de estas fracturas. Presentamos el caso de paciente femenino de 72 años de edad, quien sufrió fractura de húmero proximal con extensión a la diáfisis, tratado con placa larga helicoidal y técnica mínimamente invasiva. Mostramos el resultado del tratamiento y su evolución a largo plazo. Este caso muestra que con esta técnica innovadora se puede alcanzar la consolidación y la recuperación funcional satisfactoria, en pacientes con fracturas complejas(AU)

Humerus proximal fractures in osteoporotic patients may result in complex patterns such those which occur with shaft extension. The treatment of these fractures has been controversial for a long time with different results. The techniques of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for the treatment of theses fractures had been used to minimize soft tissue dissection and injury to neurovascular structures. The helical principle is a biomechanical concept can be applied for treatment of these fractures. We report the case of 72-year-old female who presented with proximal humerus fracture to the shaft extension that was treated with a long plate with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis with helical principle, an innovative technique in the treatment of these fractures. We present the results of treatment and long-term evolution. This case shows that with this innovative technique can achieve consolidation and satisfactory functional recovery in patients with these complex fractures(AU)