Bone mineral density T-scores comparison between obese and non-obese individuals included in a Fracture Liaison Service following a recent fragility fracture.

We used data from a Fracture Liaison Service to compare the mean T-scores of obese and non-obese patients after a recent fragility fracture. After adjusting for age, sex, and diabetes mellitus, T-score values were significantly higher at all measurement sites in obese patients, with a mean difference of 1 SD. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the mean T-scores of obese and non-obese patients after recent fragility fractures. METHODS: Over a period of 5 and a half years, from January 2016 to May 2021, patients from a fracture liaison service were identified and their demographic characteristics, osteoporosis risk factors, BMD T-scores, and fracture sites were compared between obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and non-obese (19 kg/m2 < BMI < 30 kg/m2) patients. RESULTS: A total of 712 patients were included (80.1% women; mean age 73.8 ± 11.3 years). Sixteen % had type 2 diabetes mellitus and 80% had a major osteoporotic fracture (MOF). 135 patients were obese and 577 non-obese, with obese patients younger (p < 0.001) and more frequently female (p = 0.03). Obese patients presented with fewer hip fractures (10% vs. 21%, p = 0.003) and more proximal humerus fractures (16% vs. 7%, p < 0.001) than non-obese patients. After adjusting for age, sex, and diabetes mellitus, BMD T-score values were significantly higher at all measurement sites (lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck) in obese patients than in non-obese patients for all types of fractures, with a mean difference of 1 standard deviation (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). The same results were observed in the population limited to MOF. CONCLUSIONS: Given the crucial role of BMD T-score in determining the need for anti-osteoporotic medication following fragility fractures, it is reasonable to question the existing T-score thresholds in obese patients.

Changes in bone mineral density after allogenic stem cell transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis is a complication after allogenic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). The purpose of this study was to assess changes in bone mineral density (BMD) 6 months and 3 years after alloSCT, as well as predictors of bone loss. METHODS: A longitudinal, prospective, single-center study was conducted at Lille University Hospital between 2005 and 2016. Clinical, biological, radiologic (thoracic and lumbar spine) and densitometric (DXA) assessments were carried out at baseline (pre-transplant), 6 months and 3 years. Patients with myeloma were not included. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-eight patients were included (144 men). Among them, 60.1% had leukemia and 65.8% of them, acute myeloid leukemia. At baseline, 6 months and 3 years, DXA-confirmed that osteoporosis was observed in 17%, 22.8% and 17.5% of the patients, respectively, mainly at the femoral neck. At baseline, 6 months and 3 years, 9 (8.5%), 53 (21.5%) and 38 (16.7%) patients, respectively, were receiving anti-osteoporotic treatment. From baseline to 6-month follow-up, BMD decreased significantly (p<0.001) at the lumbar spine (-36 [95%CI; -51 to -20] mg/cm2 of hydroxyapatite), femoral neck (-43 [95%CI; -57 to -29] mg/cm2 of hydroxyapatite) and total hip (-53 [95%CI; -68 to -39] mg/cm2 of hydroxyapatite). From 6-month to 3-year follow-up, a significant increase in BMD was observed at the lumbar spine only (+31 [95%CI; 20 to 42] mg/cm2 of hydroxyapatite, p<0.001). At all 3 sites, changes in BMD did not differ between patients treated or untreated by anti-osteoporotic treatment from 6-month to 3 year follow-up. Incident fractures were found in 4.1% and 5.7% of the patients at 6 months and 3 years, respectively. Between baseline and 6 months, bone loss at all 3 sites was associated with corticosteroid intake. At the total hip, 23.3% of the decrease in BMD from baseline to 6 months was due to an active hematological disease (p<0.05), a bone marrow stem cells (p<0.01) and a corticosteroid intake (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study found evidence of bone fragility in alloSCT patients. Low BMD persisted at the hip 3 years after transplantation due to slower improvement at this site.

Prevalence and causes of elevated bone mass.

INTRODUCTION: Reports of elevated bone mass (EBM) on routine DXA scanning are not infrequent. However, epidemiological studies of EBM are few in number and definition thresholds variable. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and causes of EBM in the general population referred to a single university hospital - catering for a population of 4 million inhabitants - for DXA scanning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: DXA databases were initially searched for individuals with a bone mineral density (BMD) Z-score ≥+4 at any site in the lumbar spine or hip from April 1st, 2008 to April 30st, 2018. Two Hologic scanners were available at the Lille University Hospital (France). Prevalence of EBM was evaluated, as were causes associated with EBM. RESULTS: At the lumbar spine, 18,229 bone density tests were performed in women and 10,209 in men. At the hip, 17,390 tests were performed in women and 9857 in men. The total number of patients who had at least one bone density test was 14,745, of which 64.2% were female. Of these 14,745 patients, 211 had a Z-score ≥+4 at any site, i.e. a prevalence of 1.43% [1.25%-1.64%]. The DXA scans and medical records of 92 men and 119 women with elevated BMD were reviewed to assess causes. An artefactual cause was found in 164 patients (75%) with EBM (mostly degenerative disease of the spine), and an acquired cause of focal EBM was found in only 2 patients, both of whom had sclerotic bone metastases from prostate cancer. An acquired cause of generalized EBM was found in 32 patients (15%), the vast majority of whom had renal osteodystrophy (n = 11), followed by hematological disorders (n = 9; e.g. myeloproliferative syndromes and mastocytosis) and diffuse bone metastases from solid cancer (n = 5). Of the remaining causes, rare hereditary diseases (e.g. osteopetrosis…) and unexplained EBM were found in 10 and 6 cases respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of EBM (Z-score ≥+4 at any site) was 1.43% [1.25%-1.64%]. In nearly all instances (97.1%) the explanation for EBM could be found in the medical record and through conventional investigations. This study suggests that the main cause of EBM is degenerative disease of the spine. Further studies are needed to differentiate artefactual EBM from hereditary or acquired EBM, and to investigate unexplained EBM. Genetic testing may prove useful in elucidating rare unknown causes.

Comparison of regional bone marrow adiposity characteristics at the hip of underweight and weight-recovered women with anorexia nervosa using magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Bone marrow adiposity (BMA) is an underestimated tissue, with properties that may alter bone strength especially in diseases that fragilize bone such as anorexia nervosa. In the present study, we investigated the regional characteristics of BMA at the hip of 40 underweight and 36 weight-recovered anorexic women, along with 10 healthy women, using magnetic resonance spectroscopy at multiple anatomical subregions (acetabulum, femoral neck, proximal femoral diaphysis and greater trochanter) to measure bone marrow fat fraction (BMFF) and apparent lipid unsaturation levels (aLUL). Correlations between BMFF, aLUL, body fat percentage (BF), and bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck and total hip, both measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, were assessed in anorexic patients. Whereas BMFF was significantly higher and aLUL significantly lower at the femoral neck of underweight and weight-recovered patients compared to controls (BMFF: 90.1 ±â€¯6.7% and 90.3 ±â€¯7.5% respectively versus 81.3 ±â€¯8.1%; aLUL: 7.6 ±â€¯1.4% and 7.3 ±â€¯1.3% versus 9.2 ±â€¯1.5%), BMFF and aLUL were not significantly different between the 2 subgroups of patients. Besides, three noteworthy features were observed between BMA and the other measured parameters in anorexic patients. First, synergic alterations of BMA were observed at all sites, with an inverse relationship between BMFF and aLUL (ρ = -0.88). Second, bone mineral compartment and BMA were associated, as a negative correlation between total hip BMD and BMFF was observed at all sites except the greater trochanter (ρ = [-0.32;-0.29]), as well as a positive correlation with aLUL at all sites except the proximal femoral diaphysis (ρ = [0.25;0.37]). Finally, we found a positive correlation between BF and BMFF at the femoral neck (ρ = 0.35), and a negative correlation between BF and aLUL at this same subregion (ρ = -0.33), which suggest a complex relationship between BMA and BF. Overall, BMA possesses regional specificities which may impair bone health, even after weight recovering.

Adipokines and bone status in a cohort of anorexic patients.

INTRODUCTION: Bone loss in anorexia nervosa (AN) is multifactorial; its mechanisms are not yet clearly understood and may vary depending on disease duration and severity. To determine to what extent adipokines may be involved in the bone alterations found in anorexic patients, we evaluated plasma levels for leptin, adiponectin and Pref-1 against other clinical and biological parameters in a population of anorexic patients split according to weight and bone status. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of leptin, total adiponectin, high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, and Pref-1 were measured. The ratio of HMW adiponectin to total adiponectin - HMW (percentage) - was calculated. We divided our population into 5 groups with different phenotypes characterizing the severity of the disease and/or the severity of bone involvement: 1 - Normal BMD and body mass index (BMI): recovery from AN; 2 - Osteopenia (-217kg/m2; 3 - Osteopenia and BMI≤17kg/m2; 4 - Osteoporosis (Z-score≤-2) and BMI>17kg/m2; 5 - Osteoporosis and BMI≤17kg/m2. RESULTS: The study involved 80 anorexia nervosa patients. Mean BMI was 16.8±2.4kg/m2. No significant difference was found in total and HMW adiponectin plasma concentrations between the 5 groups. HMW (percentage) was significantly higher in group 5 compared to group 1. Leptin was significantly lower in groups 3 and 5 compared to the other groups. For the whole group femoral neck and hip BMD correlated negatively with total adiponectin and HMW adiponectin. No correlation was found between BMD (whatever the site) and plasma leptin. Multivariate analysis revealed that 2 factors - leptin and BMI - explained 10% of the variance in spine BMD. For femoral neck BMD, the 2 explanatory factors were BMI and total adiponectin which explained 14% of the variance in BMD. For total hip BMD, 27% of the variance in BMD was explained by 3 factors: leptin, BMI, and total adiponectin. CONCLUSION: Bone status in anorexia nervosa is mainly determined by BMI, leptin and adiponectin.

Bone disorders associated with diabetes mellitus and its treatments.

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus are associated with bone disorders, albeit via different mechanisms. Early studies in patients with type 1 diabetes suggested a 10-fold increase in the hip fracture risk compared to non-diabetic controls. Meta-analyses published more recently indicate a somewhat smaller risk increase, with odds ratios of 6 to 7. Diminished bone mineral density is among the contributors to the increased fracture risk. Both types of diabetes are associated with decreased bone strength related to low bone turnover. The multiple and interconnected pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the bone disorders seen in type 1 diabetes include insulin deficiency, accumulation of advanced glycation end products, bone microarchitecture alterations, changes in bone marrow fat content, low-grade inflammation, and osteocyte dysfunction. The bone alterations are less severe in type 2 diabetes. Odds ratios for hip fractures have ranged across studies from 1.2 to 1.7, and bone mineral density is higher than in non-diabetic controls. The odds ratio is about 1.2 for all bone fragility fractures combined. The pathophysiological mechanisms are complex, particularly as obesity is very common in patients with type 2 diabetes and is itself associated with an increased risk of fractures at specific sites (humerus, tibia, and ankle). The main mechanisms underlying the bone fragility are an increase in the risk of falls, sarcopenia, disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, vitamin D deficiency, and alterations in cortical bone microarchitecture and bone matrix. The medications used to treat both types of diabetes do not seem to play a major role. Nevertheless, thiazolidinediones and, to a lesser extent, sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors may have adverse effects on bone, whereas metformin may have beneficial effects. For the most part, the standard management of bone fragility applies to patients with diabetes. However, emphasis should be placed on preventing falls, which are particularly common in this population. Finally, there is some evidence to suggest that anti-fracture treatments are similarly effective in patients with and without diabetes.

Long-term physiological alterations and recovery in a mouse model of separation associated with time-restricted feeding: a tool to study anorexia nervosa related consequences.

BACKGROUND: Anorexia nervosa is a primary psychiatric disorder, with non-negligible rates of mortality and morbidity. Some of the related alterations could participate in a vicious cycle limiting the recovery. Animal models mimicking various physiological alterations related to anorexia nervosa are necessary to provide better strategies of treatment. AIM: To explore physiological alterations and recovery in a long-term mouse model mimicking numerous consequences of severe anorexia nervosa. METHODS: C57Bl/6 female mice were submitted to a separation-based anorexia protocol combining separation and time-restricted feeding for 10 weeks. Thereafter, mice were housed in standard conditions for 10 weeks. Body weight, food intake, body composition, plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin, IGF-1, blood levels of GH, reproductive function and glucose tolerance were followed. Gene expression of several markers of lipid and energy metabolism was assayed in adipose tissues. RESULTS: Mimicking what is observed in anorexia nervosa patients, and despite a food intake close to that of control mice, separation-based anorexia mice displayed marked alterations in body weight, fat mass, lean mass, bone mass acquisition, reproductive function, GH/IGF-1 axis, and leptinemia. mRNA levels of markers of lipogenesis, lipolysis, and the brown-like adipocyte lineage in subcutaneous adipose tissue were also changed. All these alterations were corrected during the recovery phase, except for the hypoleptinemia that persisted despite the full recovery of fat mass. CONCLUSION: This study strongly supports the separation-based anorexia protocol as a valuable model of long-term negative energy balance state that closely mimics various symptoms observed in anorexia nervosa, including metabolic adaptations. Interestingly, during a recovery phase, mice showed a high capacity to normalize these parameters with the exception of plasma leptin levels. It will be interesting therefore to explore further the central and peripheral effects of the uncorrected hypoleptinemia during recovery from separation-based anorexia.

Bone loss in adults with cystic fibrosis: prevalence, associated factors, and usefulness of biological markers.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a common complication of cystic fibrosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in adults with cystic fibrosis and to look for factors associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) values. METHODS: During this prospective 2-year study, we collected clinical data (history, body mass index, and treatments) and laboratory data (nutritional and hormonal status, markers for inflammation and bone turnover, and calcium and phosphate levels). Lung function tests and a 6-meter walking test were performed. BMD was measured at the spine, total hip, and femoral neck. RESULTS: We included 55 patients (31 women) with a mean age of 31.9 years; 14 were homozygous and 25 heterozygous for the deltaF508 mutation and 20 (36%) had a history of fractures. BMD values indicated osteopenia in 32 (58.2%) patients and osteoporosis in 11 (20%) patients at one or more measurement sites. At all three sites, BMD values correlated with the body mass index, forced vital capacity as % predicted, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s as % predicted; at the femoral neck and total hip, BMD values correlated with the 6-meter walking test result and grip strength. CONCLUSION: BMD was low in 78.2% of adults with cystic fibrosis. Three factors reflecting lung disease severity were associated with low BMD values, namely, respiratory function, physical function (walking test and grip strength), and nutritional status.

Influence of adipokines and ghrelin on bone mineral density and fracture risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, resistin, visfatin) and ghrelin may be implicated in bone metabolism. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to perform an overview of the influence of blood levels of adipokines or ghrelin on bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporotic status, and fracture risk in healthy men and women. DATA SOURCES: We reviewed Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases up to March 2010 and abstracts of international meetings from 2008 to 2009. STUDY SELECTION: Fifty-nine studies meeting the inclusion criteria (healthy men or women evaluated for both BMD or fracture risk and at least one adipokine and/or ghrelin levels) were analyzed in the systematic review of the 931 references found in the electronic databases. DATA EXTRACTION: We used a predefined extraction sheet. DATA SYNTHESIS: We performed meta-analyses using the method of the inverse of the variance estimated pooled correlations between adipokines/ghrelin and BMD. Inverse correlations between adiponectin levels and BMD were highlighted (pooled r from -0.14 to -0.4). Leptin is positively associated to BMD, especially in postmenopausal women (pooled r from 0.18 to 0.33). High levels of leptin were reported to be predictive of low risk of fractures, whereas high levels of adiponectin may be predictive of high risk of vertebral fractures in men only. No discriminative capacity of osteoporotic status was reported. We found no convincing data to support an association between resistin, visfatin, or ghrelin and BMD. CONCLUSION: Adiponectin is the most relevant adipokine negatively associated with BMD, independent of gender and menopausal status. Inconsistent associations between adipokines and BMD are probably confounded by body composition, in particular fat mass parameters.

Assessing bone status in patients awaiting liver transplantation.

UNLABELLED: Osteoporosis is common in liver transplant recipients as a result of both iatrogenic factors and preexisting hepatic osteodystrophy. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalences of osteoporosis and fractures and to identify risk factors for these two abnormalities in patients awaiting liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease. METHODS: Between January 2006 and December 2007, patients on a liver transplant waiting list underwent a routine evaluation comprising the identification of risk factors for osteoporosis, radiographs of the spine, bone mineral density measurements (BMD), and laboratory tests (phosphate and calcium levels, hormone assays, liver function tests, and bone turnover markers). RESULTS: We studied 99 patients (70 males and 20 females; mean age, 55 ± 8 years) including 75% with alcohol-induced cirrhosis with or without hepatocarcinoma. Among them, 36% had radiographic vertebral fractures, 38% had osteoporosis, 35% had osteopenia, and 88% had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency (25(OH)vitamin D3<20 ng/mL). Lower BMD values were associated with vertebral fractures; the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for each BMD decrease of 1 SD were as follows: spine, 1.45 (95%CI, 1.1-1.9); total hip, 2.1 (95%CI, 1.3-3.2); and femoral neck, 2 (95%CI, 1.3-3.1) (P<0.05). Levels of bone resorption markers correlated negatively with BMD at the spine and hip. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score correlated negatively with hip BMD. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest high prevalences of low BMD values and vertebral fractures among patients awaiting liver transplantation. Bone status should be evaluated routinely in candidates to liver transplantation.

Screening for celiac disease in patients with osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: Whether patients with osteoporosis should be screened for celiac disease is controversial. The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of asymptomatic celiac disease in a cohort of patients with osteoporosis. METHODS: We studied 140 patients (133 postmenopausal women and 7 men) aged 40-75 years (mean age, 62.9+/-9.4 years) with primary osteoporosis diagnosed by absorptiometry (spine or hip T-score <-2.5SD). We routinely measured serum and urinary calcium, serum phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, 25-OH-vitamin D3, and IgG and IgA antigliadin antibodies. Patients with positive antigliadin antibody tests were tested for antitransglutaminase antibodies. RESULTS: A history of fractures were noted in 52 (37%) patients, with 57 peripheral and 54 vertebral fractures overall. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 60 (43%) patients. IgG antigliadin antibodies were positive in 11 (8%) patients, IgA antigliadin antibodies in 11 (8%) patients, and both antibodies in 4 (3%) patients. Antitransglutaminase antibodies were negative in all patients. No significant differences in laboratory test or absorptiometry results were found between patients with versus without IgA antigliadin antibodies. The T-score at the spine was nonsignificantly lower in patients with than without IgG antigliadin antibodies (-3.17+/-0.49 and -2.82+/-0.77, P=0.076). CONCLUSION: We found no excess risk of celiac disease in our cohort of patients with osteoporosis. Despite the small sample size, our results cast doubt on the need for celiac-disease screening in osteoporotic patients who have no gastrointestinal symptoms.

Factors influencing changes in bone mineral density in patients with anorexia nervosa-related osteoporosis: the effect of hormone replacement therapy.

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to evaluate factors affecting changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and osteoporosis and, more particularly, to assess the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on BMD in these patients. Our study involved 45 AN patients, 12 of whom had been treated by HRT for 2 years following a diagnosis of osteoporosis by densitometry (WHO criteria). Patients' mean age was 25.3 +/- 6.7 years. Mean duration of illness was 5.7 +/- 5.3 years. Serum calcium and phosphate were measured at baseline, as were bone remodeling markers. Osteodensitometry by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed at inclusion and after 2 years. After 2 years, no significant differences were observed between spine, femoral neck, and total hip BMDs either in the HRT group (P = 0.3, P = 0.59, P = 0.58) or in the nontreatment group (P = 0.17, P = 0.68, P = 0.98). Moreover, there were no significant differences between the two groups when changes in spine, femoral neck, and total hip BMDs at 2 years were compared (P = 0.72, P = 0.95, P = 0.58). In both groups, change in weight at 1 year correlated with change in spine BMD at 2 years (r = 0.35, P = 0.04) and change in total-hip BMD at 2 years (r = 0.35, P = 0.04) but not with change in femoral neck BMD at 2 years. Patients with a body mass index (BMI) > or = 17 kg/m(2) at 2 years showed a significant increase in total-hip BMD when compared with patients with a BMI < 17 kg/m(2) (+4.4% +/- 6.7 vs. -0.5% +/- 6.01, P = 0.03). No significant differences were observed for spine and femoral neck BMD. In patients who had recovered their menstrual cycle, significant increases were observed in spine BMD (+4% +/- 6.3 vs. -1.9% +/- 5.6, P = 0.008), femoral neck BMD (+3% +/- 6.2 vs. -2.4% +/- 8, P = 0.05), and total-hip BMD (+3% +/- 7.1 vs. -3.7% +/- 10, P = 0.04). Prevention of bone loss at 2 years in AN patients treated by HRT was not confirmed in this study. We did confirm that increase in weight at 1 year was the most predictive factor for the improvement of spine and hip BMD at 2 years.

Evaluation of bone loss and its mechanisms in anorexia nervosa.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the extent of and mechanisms involved in bone loss in anorexia nervosa patients. We compared 113 anorexia nervosa patients (mean age 25 +/- 8 years, mean duration of disease 5.7 +/- 6.1 years) with 21 age-matched controls. Mean duration of amenorrhea was 3.2 +/- 4.7 years. We measured serum calcium and phosphate; bone remodeling markers (osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase [BSAP], serum crosslaps [CTX], and carboxyl-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen [ICTP]); follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels; and estradiol (ultrasensitive assay), cortisol, urinary free cortisol, thyroid function, prolactin, and nutritional factors (insulin-like growth factor I [IGF-I], IGF binding protein 3 [IGFBP3]). In controls, only bone remodeling markers and nutritional factors were measured. Osteodensitometry was also performed on both patients and controls. Weight and body mass index (BMI) were significantly lower in anorexia nervosa patients than in controls (P < 0.0001). No significant differences were observed in biological indicators except for IGF-I, which was lower in anorexia nervosa patients (0.9 +/- 0.4 UI/mL) than in controls (1.5 +/- 0.4 UI/mL) (P < 0.0001). Densitometric measurements at three sites were significantly lower in anorexia nervosa patients and correlated with duration of disease and amenorrhea and with IGF-I at the hip only (P < 0.01). In the study population, osteoporosis was observed in 24 patients (21%) and osteopenia in 54 patients (48%). Patients with osteoporosis were significantly older and had longer disease and amenorrhea durations; lower weight and BMI; higher alkaline phosphatase, BSAP, and osteocalcin; and lower serum ICTP, IGF-I, and IGFBP3. All of these differences were significant and remained so even after multiple adjustments were made, except for IGF-I (P = 0.21). When multivariate analysis was performed, we found that age at onset of amenorrhea, weight, alkaline phosphatase, urinary free cortisol, and serum estradiol concentration accounted for 54% of the variance in spinal bone mineral density (BMD). Duration of amenorrhea, alkaline phosphatase, and weight explained 46.6% of the variance in femoral neck BMD. Duration of amenorrhea, IGF-I, and ICTP levels accounted for 38.6% of the variance observed in total hip BMD. The etiology of bone loss in patients with anorexia nervosa is multifactorial. Hypoestrogenia alone cannot account for this loss, and nutritional factors, IGF-I concentrations in particular, seem to play an important role.

Bone loss associated with anorexia nervosa.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of bone loss related to anorexia nervosa. Earlier onset and longer duration of anorexia nervosa are associated with more severe bone loss. Osteoporosis develops in 38-50% of cases. Bone mineral density measurement by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is useful for assessing bone mass, and bone marker assays provide information on bone turnover. Bone loss in anorexia nervosa is probably multifactorial. Estrogen deficiency was long felt to be the major factor. However, in contrast to postmenopausal osteoporosis, bone loss associated with anorexia nervosa is related mainly to inadequate bone formation, with only a slight increase in bone resorption. This suggests a role for nutritional factors, such as disturbances in the growth hormone-somatomedin C axis (GH/IGF-I) related to malnutrition. The best treatment strategy for correcting bone mass in patients with anorexia nervosa is not agreed on. Resumption of menstrual cycles and weight gain seem necessary but not always sufficient. Studies found no benefits with estrogen therapy, but this was usually given as estrogen-progestin contraceptives. No vast studies evaluating hormone replacement therapy have been reported. Bone formation enhancers such as IGF-I seem to provide the best results, most notably when used in combination with estrogens. This suggests that complex treatment strategies combining bone formation enhancers and bone resorption inhibitors may deserve evaluation.

Long-term follow-up of vertebral osteoporotic fractures treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty.

The aim of this study was: to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for treating painful vertebral osteoporotic fractures, and to estimate the risk of vertebral fracture in the vicinity of a cemented vertebra. A prospective open study was conducted. PVP were carried out between July 1995 and September 2000 for 16 patients with symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral fracture that had not responded to extensive conservative medical therapy. All the patients were followed-up for more than 1 year. The efficacy of the PVP was assessed by the changes over time in pain on Huskisson's visual analog scale (VAS) and on the McGill-Melzack scoring system (MGM). The efficacy of the procedure was also assessed by measuring the changes over time in quality of life assessed by the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP instrument): twenty-one vertebrae treated by PVP in 16 patients were evaluated. The mean duration of follow-up was 35 months. Pain assessed by the VAS significantly decreased from a mean of 71.4 mm+/-13 before PVP to 36 mm+/-30 after 6 months, and to 39 mm+/-33 at the time of maximal follow-up ( p<0.05 for both comparisons). The results were also significant for the MGM: 3.00+/-0.57 before PVP to 1.6+/-1.4 at the long-term follow-up ( p<0.05). The solely statistically significant decrease for quality of life was noted for pain. A slight but not significant improvement was noted for 3/6 dimensions of the NHP scores. A slight but significant increase in social isolation was also found. No severe complication occurred immediately after PVP. At the long term follow-up (35 months) there was a slight but not significantly increased risk of vertebral fracture in the vicinity of a cemented vertebra: odds ratio 3.18 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51-19.64). The odds ratio of a vertebral fracture in the vicinity of an uncemented fractured vertebra was 2.14 (95% CI: 0.17-26.31). In conclusion, PVP appears to be safe and effective for treating persistent painful osteoporotic fractures. Controlled studies with long-term follow-up are needed to evaluate the risk of vertebral fractures in the vicinity of a cemented vertebra.

Subchondral fractures of the femoral head: a review of seven cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the main characteristics of subchondral fractures of the femoral head. CASE-REPORTS: The seven patients, five women and two men, with a mean age of 50 years (37-76 years), presented with mechanical pain in the groin. Bone loss was the main risk factor. Two patients had postmenopausal osteoporosis (including one with a history of ovariectomy at 30 years of age), two had osteoporosis induced by glucocorticoid therapy given after transplantation (liver and allogeneic bone marrow, respectively), one had an ACTH-producing adenoma, and one had femoral osteopenia at a site of topical glucocorticoid therapy for atopic dermatitis. The remaining patient had osteopenia and a history of smoking. Phosphate and calcium levels were normal in five patients. One patient had isolated hypocalciuria and another had moderate proximal tubular disease with phosphate wasting and hypercalciuria. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed a subcapital line of low signal on T1- and T2-weighted sequences surrounded by an area of variable size generating low signal on T1 images and high signal on T2 images, with postgadolinium enhancement, denoting marrow edema. Complete elimination of weight bearing for 6 weeks, symptomatic agents, and treatment of the underlying causes of bone insufficiency were used in all seven patients. Mean follow-up was 2.4 years (range, 11-39 years). No cases of osteonecrosis were recorded. CONCLUSION: Several cases of subchondral fracture have been reported in the literature. Bone insufficiency was the main risk factor in all the patients.

Bone mineral density changes in hypercalciuretic osteoporotic men treated with thiazide diuretics.

UNLABELLED: A few studies suggest that thiazide diuretic agents may have modest beneficial effects on bone. Few data are available on the effects of these medications in patients with osteoporosis and hypercalciuria. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of thiazide diuretic therapy on bone mass and urinary calcium excretion in hypercalciuretic osteoporotic male patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Osteoporosis was defined as a greater than 2.5 standard deviation (S.D.) decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine or hip (T-score). We used an open-label prospective design to compare 14 patients with hypercalciuretic osteoporosis treated with a thiazide diuretic for 18 months and 13 patients with primary osteoporosis treated with calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Mean age was 53.5 +/- 9.6 years in the thiazide group and 48.7 +/- 8.4 years in the calcium-vitamin D supplementation group. The following serum parameters were assayed at baseline: 25OH-D3, 1,25OH-D3, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and bone turnover markers. Urinary calcium excretion and BMD by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the spine and hip were determined at baseline and after 18 months of treatment. RESULTS: Annual BMD increases were similar in the two groups during the 18-month treatment period: lumbar spine, 0.6 +/- 2.5% (P = 0.47) in the thiazide group and 0.004 +/- 3% (P = 0.78) in the supplementation group; femoral neck, 0.47 +/- 2.6% (P = 0.89) and 1.1 +/- 3.2% (P = 0.22); total hip, 0.65 +/- 2.5% (P = 0.37) and 0.12 +/- 2.1% (P = 0.51). Urinary calcium excretion fell by 45.9% in the thiazide group from baseline to study completion (P = 0.0015). CONCLUSION: We found no evidence that thiazide therapy increased bone mass in patients with hypercalciuria and osteoporosis as compared to calcium-vitamin D supplementation in patients with osteoporosis but no hypercalciuria. In contrast, our results establish the efficacy of thiazide diuretics in reducing urinary calcium excretion, an effect that may decrease the risk of urinary lithiasis. Studies in larger patient cohorts treated for longer periods are needed to confirm or refute our findings.

Pain management in a rheumatology department: a satisfaction survey.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the quality of pain management in a teaching hospital rheumatology department. METHODS: We conducted a satisfaction survey among all the patients admitted to the conventional rheumatology department of our teaching hospital over a 1-month period (88 patients with a mean length of stay of 5 d). The patients were asked to complete a questionnaire on the day of discharge. The professional staff was not informed of the survey. RESULTS: The mean pain severity score at admission (visual analog scale, VAS) was 7.76 +/- 1.76 and the mean score decrease with treatment was 7.27 +/- 2.81. Expected pain relief and actual pain relief were correlated (R = 0.39; P = 0.001). Nearly all the patients (96.1%) reported have been encouraged to communicate about their pain. Information on the treatment was given to 89.3% of the patients; no significant differences in pain severity or pain relief were found between the patients who did and did not receive this information. The patients were satisfied with their management by the physicians (VAS: 8.83 +/- 2.07) and nurses (VAS: 8.68 +/- 1.72). CONCLUSION: Satisfaction with pain management (a subjective criterion) was good in our patients. However, no validated tools for measuring satisfaction are available, and measurements should be repeated to look for improvements over time. Limitations to these results include the placebo effect, the influence of memory, and the effects of the behavior of hospitalized patients. A repeat survey is needed.

Total knee arthroplasty in hemophilic arthropathy.

UNLABELLED: Chronic arthropathy causes major functional disability in patients with severe hemophilia. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and its impact on both quality of life and clotting factor use in patients with severe hemophilia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated 17 TKAs in 12 patients. The TKAs were performed between 1986 and 1996, and follow-up was 8-132 months (mean, 54 months). Mean age at arthroplasty was 39 years (22-51 years). Quality of life was evaluated using the Short Form 36 (SF-36). RESULTS: Results were good or excellent in 94% of patients. The improvement was greatest for pain. Recurrent hemarthrosis in six patients and development of an anticoagulant in two patients were the only postoperative complications. Clotting factor use did not decrease significantly after surgery. SF-36 scores showed an increase in physical activity responsible for an improvement in quality-of-life indicators. However, this improvement in functional capabilities seemed to wane over time as a result of arthropathy in other joints and of intercurrent diseases. CONCLUSION: TKA for hemophilic arthropathy provides good results that translate into quality-of-life gains.