Vertebral geometry parameters can predict fractures

The aim of this study was to investigate vertebral geometry changes and determine cutoff value of vertebral height to predict fractures. In a cross-sectional study, 280 postmenopausal women recruited .In all subjects bone mineral density and radiography of the lumbar spine performed. Lateral radiographs were evaluated for identification of vertebral fractures, using a validated semiquantitative method. T-score of vertebral height was calculated based on data extracted from Iranian Multi-center Osteoporosis Study. ROC curve used to determine cut off value of vertebral height T-score to predict fractures. The mean of age and BMI were 55.34 +/- 8.7 years and 27.73 +/- 5 kg/m2, respectively. Among osteoporotic women, 59.8% had one or more vertebral fractures and 23.8% had at least 2 fractures. In fracture group the T-score of spine and femur BMD was lower than the others. The mean of vertebral height in women without fractures was 12.94+0.6 cm, and in the patient with 4 or more fractures was 12.3, thus every fracture accompany with 1.2% decreases in the height of vertebrae. The prevalence of vertebral fracture in osteoporotic patients was 71.4% and in healthy cases 39.5%. Better estimation of vertebral height T score in ROC curve was less than -0.7.The sensitivity and specificity of the cut off value were 81.3% and 52.9%, respectively. Vertebral fractures are common fractures in postmenopausal women. There was a correlation between vertebral height and fractures. Vertebral geometric parameters especially height T score can be used for fracture screening

study of bone mineral density in diabetic patients

In view of the current high prevalence of diabetes mellitus [DM] and osteoporosis, today there is great interest in studying the possible association between these two disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the association between type-2 DM, and Bone mineral density [BMt]] in Iranian women. BMD was determined in the femoral neck and at the L2-L4 level [DEXA] Of 518 women aged 40-80 years old, referred to bone densitometry unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences [146 patients with type 2 diabetes and 372 normal controls]. In diabetics patients, BMD values at the vertebral site were higher than non-diabetic patients but the difference was only significant in postmenopausal subgroup [P= 0.045]. Besides, BMD values at the hip site were higher when com-pared with non-diabetes group, but the difference was not significant. Frequency of osteoporosis risk factors [tea consumption, sunlight exposure, late menarche, low physical activity, smoking habits, family history of osteoporosis and inadequate calcium intake] were not significantly different between diabetic and non-diabetic women, but prevalence of early menopause was higher in diabetic women [P= 0.046]. Prevalence of osteoporosis in premenopausal and postmenopausal was 7% and 41.6% in diabetic and 15% and 36.8% in non-diabetic women, respectively. Prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia was not significantly different in diabetic and non-diabetic groups. The present results demonstrate that there is not clear association between BMD and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Relationship between tea drinking and bone mineral density in Iranian population

Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage by Iranian adults after water, and while previous studies have examined the negative effects of coffee-based caffeine on Bone Mineral Density [BMD], the relationship between the consumption of tea and BMD has not been clearly explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between habitual tea drinking and BMD in the adult Iranian population. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine and hip, in 830 men and women living in Tehran, all aged between 20 and 76 yr old. The degree of tea consumption was assessed by questionnaire, and subjects were categorized as either tea drinkers [more than 5 cups of tea per day] or non-tea drinkers [equal or less than 5 cups of tea per day]. After adjusting for age and body mass index, it was found that female tea drinkers had a small [4.2%], but significantly higher BMD in the hip [P= 0.01]. This may suggest a potentially positive effect for habitual tea drinking on the BMD of those women with an inadequate consumption of calcium and vitamin D

Relationship between serum umbilical cord and maternal leptin and adiponectin concentrations with fetal growth parameters

Pregnancy and accelerated fetal growth always are related with major metabolic changes and body fat redistribution and adiponectin is one of principle adipocyte hormones, so studying adiponectin changes during pregnancy may reveal some hidden parts of fetal metabolism. The aim of this study was to assess adiponectin and leptin levels in umbilical cord and maternal serum, their relation with each other and with neonatal weight, birth length and other fetal growth markers. The study was carried out with 72 appropriate for age newborns [36 female, 36 male] and their mothers. The anthropometric variables of the newborns studied were birth weight, birth length, and birth weight/birth length and ponderal index. Maternal and umbilical cord adiponectin and leptin levels were measured by ELISA and compared. The median of cord blood adiponectin concentration were 3 fold higher than those of maternal group. Umbilical cord blood leptin levels were significantly correlated with neonatal birth weight and birth weight/ birth length [r= 0.29, P=0.01 and r= 0.24, P= 0.04, respectively]. No statistical difference has been demonstrated between both groups of male and female neonates regarding birth weight, birth length, maternal and neonatal leptin levels, ponderal index and maternal and neonatal adiponectin levels. Neonatal leptin is related to birth weight. Adiponectin has no relation with birth weight. Neither leptin nor adi-ponectin correlated with gender difference

Effect of calcium and vitamin D intake on maternal and neonatal anthropometric parameters

Vitamin D is essential for the health of pregnant women and their newborns. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the outcome of pregnancy and maternal calcium and vitamin D intake. This cross-sectional study included 449 healthy pregnant women at the time of delivery and also their newborns after delivery. Maternal and neonatal anthropometric data were collected and Calcium and Vitamin D intake was determined. The mean values for vitamin D and calcium intake in mothers were 2.26 +/- 1.87 microg/d and 816.284 +/- 370.47 mg/d respectively. Our findings showed that, the mean Apgar score and height of the newborns whose mothers had adequate calcium and vitamin D intake were higher than those of infants of mothers with inadequate intake [p=0.04, p=0.03; respectively]. Our study showed a significant correlation between adequate maternal calcium and vitamin D intake and appropriate neonatal birth weight, height and one-minute Apgar score. We found that mothers with adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D had greater weight gain. Therefore proper nutritional plans for pregnant women are necessary. Consumption of foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, in particular dairy products, fortification of foods and addition of supplements to diet regimen of the population at risk of developing such nutritional deficiencies should be taken into consideration