Association of osteoporotic fractures of femoral neck and femoral neck geometric parameters in native Chinese women.

BACKGROUND: Although it is generally believed that the femoral neck fracture is related to the femoral neck geometric parameters (FNGPs), the association between the risk of osteoporotic fracture of the femoral neck and FNGPs in native Chinese women is still unclear. METHODS: A total of 374 female patients (mean age 70.2 ± 9.32 years) with osteoporotic fracture of the femoral neck, and 374 non-fracture control groups were completely matched with the case group according to the age ratio of 1:1. Using DXA bone densitometer to measured eight FNGPs: the outer diameter (OD), cross-sectional area (CSA), cortical thickness (CT), endocortical diameter (ED), buckling ratio (BR), section modulus (SM), cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI), and compressive strength index (CSI) at the narrowest point of the femoral neck. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the average values of OD (2.9%), ED (4.5%), and BR (26.1%) in the patient group significantly increased (p = 0.015 to < 0.001), while CSA (‒15.3%), CT (‒18.2%), SM (‒10.3%), CSMI (‒6.4%), and CSI (‒10.8%) significantly decreased (all p < 0.001). The prevalence of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip was, respectively, 82%, 81%, and 65% in fracture patients. Cox proportional hazard model analysis showed that in the age adjusted model, the fracture hazard ratio (HR) of CSA, CT, BR, SM, and CSI significantly increased (HRs = 1.60‒8.33; 95% CI = 1.08‒16.6; all p < 0.001). In the model adjusted for age and femoral neck BMD, HRs of CT (HRs = 3.90‒8.03; 95% CI = 2.45‒15.1; all p < 0.001) and BR (HRs = 1.62‒2.60; 95% CI = 1.20‒5.44; all p < 0.001) were still significantly increased. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the majority of osteoporotic fractures of the femoral neck of native Chinese women occur in patients with osteoporosis. CT thinning or BR increase of FNGPs may be independent predictors of fragility fracture of femoral neck in native Chinese women unrelated to BMD.

Relationship Between Prepatellar Fat Thickness and Bone Mineral Density.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) by measuring the prepatellar fat thickness with knee radiography and to gain a measurement method that has not been done before in the literature. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Training and Research Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkiye, between January and June 2020. METHODOLOGY: Patients' age, body mass index (BMI) data, prepatellar fat thickness (mm), L1-L4 total, bone mineral density femoral neck, femur trochanter major, and femur total T scores were recorded. The relationships between these three groups (normal, osteopenia, osteoporosis) and between prepatellar fat tissue measurement were evaluated. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Post Hoc Tukey tests were used in the analysis. RESULTS:  A statistically significant difference was found in terms of trochanter major T score measurements (X2 = 20.435; p <0.001) and BMI (X2 = 66.535; p <0.001) measurements of prepatellar fat thickness measurement. A statistically significant difference was found between the three groups in terms of prepatellar fat thickness measurement, L1-4 T-score, femoral neck, and femur total values (p <0.001). CONCLUSION:  Prepatellar fat thickness in postmenopausal Turkish women was positively correlated with BMD; BMD increases as the prepatellar fat thickness increases. This explains that perapatellar fat thickness creates a mechanical load on the bones and causes an increase in BMD. KEY WORDS: Osteoporosis, Fat thickness, Bone mineral density.

Modified "SUPERhip2" to Reconstruct Postinfectious Femoral Neck Pseudoarthrosis (Hunka Type 3): A Case Report.

CASE: We report a case of a 3-year-old girl who developed a post-infectious femoral neck pseudoarthrosis after a proximal hematogenous femoral osteomyelitis (type 3 according to Hunka classification of the sequelae of the septic hip in children). The patient was treated by a modified "SUPERhip 2" procedure (a reconstructive procedure described to reconstruct congenital femoral neck pseudoarthrosis). This report describes the surgical technique in details and discusses the advantages, pitfalls, and complications and possible complications. CONCLUSION: Our modification simplifies the "SUPERhip 2" procedure. Postinfectious neck pseudoarthrosis was successfully treated, and we believe this modification is applicable for the treatment of congenital femoral neck pseudoarthrosis as well.

Biomechanical changes in the proximal femur before and after removal of femoral neck system.

BACKGROUND: As an innovative internal fixation system, FNS (femoral neck system) is increasingly being utilized by surgeons for the treatment of femoral neck fractures. At present, there have been numerous finite element analysis experiments studying the immediate stability of FNS and CSS in treating femoral neck fractures. However, there is scarce mechanical analysis available regarding the effects post internal fixation removal. This study aimed to investigate the alterations in mechanical parameters of the proximal femur before and after the removal of FNS (femoral neck system), and to assess potential distinctions in indicators following the extraction of CSS (Cannulated Screws). METHODS: A proximal femur model was reconstructed using finite element numerical techniques. The models for CSS and FNS were formulated utilizing characteristics and parametric definitions. The internal fixation was combined with a normal proximal femur model to simulate the healing state after fracture surgery. Within the framework of static analysis, consistent stress burdens were applied across the entirety of the models. The total deformation and equivalent stress of the proximal femur were recorded before and after the removal of internal fixation. RESULTS: Under the standing condition, the total deformation of the model before and after removing CSS was 0.99 mm and 1.10 mm, respectively, indicating an increase of 12%. The total deformation of the model before and after removing FNS was 0.65 mm and 0.76 mm, respectively, indicating an increase of 17%. The equivalent stress for CSS and FNS were 55.21 MPa and 250.67 MPa, respectively. The average equivalent stress on the cross-section of the femoral neck before and after removal of CSS was 7.76 MPa and 6.11 MPa, respectively. The average equivalent stress on the cross-section of the femoral neck before and after removal of FNS was 9.89 MPa and 8.79 MPa, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The retention of internal fixation may contribute to improved stability of the proximal femur. However, there still existed risks of stress concentration in internal fixation and stress shielding in the proximal femur. Compared to CSS, the removal of FNS results in larger bone tunnels and insufficient model stability. Further clinical interventions are recommended to address this issue.

Age and sex are excellent predictors of bone complications in patients with type 2 diabetes with no history of osteoporotic fracture or treatment for osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with no history of fracture or osteoporosis treatment who are at risk of bone complications through the assessment of bone quality and quantity. METHODS: Of the outpatients attending our clinic during 2021 to 2022, we retrospectively enrolled 137 (men/women: 85/52, median age: 65 years) consecutive patients aged ≥40 years who had T2DM but no history of fracture or osteoporosis treatment. The lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density and the trabecular bone score were determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Independent factors associated with bone disease were identified using logistic regression analysis, and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. RESULTS: Age and female sex were significantly associated with high ORs for development of bone disease. The integrated risk of bone complications was nearly 40-fold higher in older (≥65 years) women than in younger (<65 years) men. This difference remained after adjustment for the duration of T2DM, body mass index, and HbA1c level. CONCLUSIONS: Older women have the highest risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis among patients with T2DM who have no history of fracture or osteoporosis treatment. These patients should undergo intensive monitoring for bone fragility from an early stage of their disease.

Diabetes and osteoporosis: a two-sample mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: The effects on bone mineral density (BMD)/fracture between type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the causal relationship between the two types of diabetes and BMD/fracture using a Mendelian randomization (MR) design. METHODS: A two-sample MR study was conducted to examine the causal relationship between diabetes and BMD/fracture, with three phenotypes (T1D, T2D, and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c]) of diabetes as exposures and five phenotypes (femoral neck BMD [FN-BMD], lumbar spine BMD [LS-BMD], heel-BMD, total body BMD [TB-BMD], and fracture) as outcomes, combining MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and inverse variance weighted (IVW) sensitivity assessments. Additionally, horizontal pleiotropy was evaluated and corrected using the residual sum and outlier approaches. RESULTS: The IVW method showed that genetically predicted T1D was negatively associated with TB-BMD (ß = -0.018, 95% CI: -0.030, -0.006), while T2D was positively associated with FN-BMD (ß = 0.033, 95% CI: 0.003, 0.062), heel-BMD (ß = 0.018, 95% CI: 0.006, 0.031), and TB-BMD (ß = 0.050, 95% CI: 0.022, 0.079). Further, HbA1c was not associated with the five outcomes (ß ranged from - 0.012 to 0.075). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that T1D and T2D have different effects on BMD at the genetic level. BMD decreased in patients with T1D and increased in those with T2D. These findings highlight the complex interplay between diabetes and bone health, suggesting potential age-specific effects and genetic influences. To better understand the mechanisms of bone metabolism in patients with diabetes, further longitudinal studies are required to explain BMD changes in different types of diabetes.

Genetically determined type 1 diabetes mellitus and risk of osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: Observational evidence suggests that type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is associated with the risk of osteoporosis (OP). Nevertheless, it is not apparent whether these correlations indicate a causal relationship. To elucidate the causal relationship, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed. METHODS: T1DM data was obtained from the large genome-wide association study (GWAS), in which 6683 cases and 12,173 controls from 12 European cohorts were involved. Bone mineral density (BMD) samples at four sites were extracted from the GEnetic Factors for OSteoporosis (GEFOS) consortium, including forearm (FA) (n = 8,143), femoral neck (FN) (n = 32,735), lumbar spine (LS) (n = 28,498), and heel (eBMD) (n = 426,824). The former three samples were from mixed populations and the last one was from European. Inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger, and weighted median tests were used to test the causal relationship between T1DM and OP. A series of sensitivity analyses were then conducted to verify the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Twenty-three independent SNPs were associated with FN-BMD and LS-BMD, twenty-seven were associated with FA-BMD, and thirty-one were associated with eBMD. Inverse variance-weighted estimates indicated a causal effect of T1DM on FN-BMD (odds ratio (OR) =1.033, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.012-1.054, p = 0.002) and LS-BMD (OR = 1.032, 95 % CI: 1.005-1.060, p = 0.022) on OP risk. Other MR methods, including weighted median and MR-Egger, calculated consistent trends. While no significant causation was found between T1DM and the other sites (FA-BMD: OR = 1.008, 95 % CI: 0.975-1.043, p = 0.632; eBMD: OR = 0.993, 95 % CI: 0.985-1.001, p = 0.106). No significant heterogeneity (except for eBMD) or horizontal pleiotropy was found for instrumental variables, suggesting these results were reliable and robust. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a causal relationship between T1DM and the risk of some sites of OP (FN-BMD, LS-BMD), allowing for continued research to discover the clinical and experimental mechanisms of T1DM and OP. It also contributes to the recommendation if patients with T1DM need targeted care to promote bone health and timely prevention of osteoporosis.

"The least significant change on bone mineral density scan increased in patients with higher degrees of obesity".

BACKGROUND: The least significant change (LSC) threshold of 0.03 g/cm² is used to interpret bone mineral density (BMD) scans in the general population. Our working hypothesis was that the current LSC threshold would not be applicable in obese populations. AIMS: The aim of this study was to calculate the LSC in an obese population. METHODS: We performed an interventional study among 120 obesity patients, in whom two measurements of BMD were performed at 3 sites. Pairs of measures were used to calculate the LSC, using the Bland and Altman method. RESULTS: We calculated that the LSC was 0.046 g/cm² at the lumbar spine, 0.069 g/cm² at the femoral neck, and 0.06 g/cm² at the total hip. We also calculated the LSC for each class of obesity and observed an increase in LSC with increasing body mass index (BMI). We calculated a LSC of 0.05 g/cm² in patients with class 2 or class 3 obesity, whereas the LSC in patients with class 1 obesity is similar to the threshold used in the general population. DISCUSSION: In obese population, like BMD, LSC is higher than the threshold value of the general population, and increases with increasing BMI. CONCLUSION: LSC of 0.05 g/cm² could be used in clinical practice in patients with class 2 or 3 obesity. These findings should help to improve the interpretation of BMD scans in these patients and optimize their management. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Comité de Protection des Personnes Ile-de France VII, France.

Application direct anterior approach in pediatric femoral head and neck lesions.

BACKGROUND: Femoral neck is one of the high-risk areas for benign tumors and tumor-like lesions. Small range of lesions may also lead to pathological fracture, femoral head necrosis and other serious problems. PURPOSE: To investigate a new minimally invasive surgical approach to resect femoral head and neck lesions in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 20 patients with femoral neck and femoral head lesions from February 2019 to March 2023 in our hospital. Among them, 14 were boys and 6 were girls, 17 were femoral neck lesions and 3 were femoral head lesions. The age of the patients ranged from 3.2 to 12.6 years, with a mean of 7.1 years. The patients were divided into group A and group B according to different surgical approaches; group A used the Smith-Peterson approach, Watson-Jones approach or surgical dislocation approach and group B used the DAA. Intra-operatively, incision length, operative time and blood loss were recorded in both groups. Group A consisted of 1 femoral head lesion and 8 femoral neck lesions, including 5 cases of bone cyst and 4 cases of eosinophilic granuloma. Group B consisted of 2 femoral head lesion and 9 femoral neck lesions. A total of 11 patients with different types of disease were included in group B, including bone cysts (3 cases), aneurysmal bone cysts (1 case), eosinophilic granulomas (6 cases), Kaposi's sarcoma (1 case). RESULTS: The two groups of patients differed in terms of incision length (P < 0.05), operative blood loss (P < 0.05) and operative time (P < 0.05). At 6-48 months post-operatively, there were no significant differences in function and all patients had good hip function. CONCLUSION: The direct anterior approach is effective for resection of paediatric femoral head and neck lesions. It provides clear exposure of the surgical site, minimal trauma and does not compromise the integrity of the anterior musculature. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Computer-Assisted Arthroscopic Cam Resection.

Determining the appropriate femoral cam resection during hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome is both critical for the patient and challenging for the surgeon. Incomplete bone resection is a leading cause of failed hip arthroscopy, whereas over-resection may increase the risk of femoral neck fracture. The alpha angle is a validated 2-dimensional radiographic measurement used to both diagnose femoroacetabular impingement syndrome preoperatively and to determine resection adequacy postoperatively. Computer-assisted intraoperative guidance systems enhance the accuracy of femoral cam resection, although a preoperative 3-dimensional computed tomography scan may be required. Other systems, such as the HipCheck software (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI), have been developed to provide intraoperative guidance with live feedback using simultaneous alpha angle measurements overlayed on fluoroscopic images without the requirement for routine preoperative computed tomography. Via intraoperative touchscreen navigation, the surgeon identifies the midpoint of the femoral neck and femoral head. A commercial software program provides real-time alpha angle measurements, as well as enhanced visualization of the femoral cam deformity with an adjustable resection curve. Before the surgeon performs the cam resection, the software provides a template for appropriate resection depth in 6 positions of the hip. Upon completion of the femoral cam resection, the hip is again assessed in the same 6 positions and the alpha angle is assessed to ensure a complete resection.

Associations between bone mineral density and abdominal aortic calcification: Results of a nationwide survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Vascular calcification has been linked to bone mineral density (BMD). This study aimed to investigate the association between BMD and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC). METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were utilized. Participants lacking BMD and AAC score data were excluded. BMD at the femoral neck was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. AAC scores were assessed using the Kauppila scoring system, with AAC defined as a score greater than zero, and severe AAC defined as a score greater than six. Weighted multivariable regression analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted to examine the independent relationship between BMD and AAC score, AAC, and severe AAC. A total of 2965 participants were included. After adjusting for multiple covariates, BMD showed a negative association with higher AAC scores (ß = -0.17, 95% CI -0.29, -0.05, p = 0.0066). The odds of having AAC and severe AAC decreased by 9% and 16%, respectively, for every one-unit increase in BMD (AAC: odds ratio [OR] = 0.91, 95% CI 0.82, 1.00, p = 0.0431; severe AAC: OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.71, 0.99, p = 0.0334). CONCLUSION: Low BMD is associated with higher AAC scores and an increased risk of AAC and severe AAC. Considering the detrimental impact of low BMD on cardiovascular health, individuals with AAC should be evaluated for osteopenia and osteoporosis in clinical settings.

Sedentary behavior does not predict low BMD nor fracture-population-based Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study.

Sedentary behavior (SB) or sitting is associated with multiple unfavorable health outcomes. Bone tissue responds to imposed gravitational and muscular strain with there being some evidence suggesting a causal link between SB and poor bone health. However, there are no population-based data on the longitudinal relationship between SB, bone change, and incidence of fragility fractures. This study aimed to examine the associations of sitting/SB (defined as daily sitting time), areal BMD (by DXA), and incident low trauma (fragility) osteoporotic fractures (excluding hands, feet, face, and head). We measured baseline (1995-7) and 10-yr self-reported SB, femoral neck (FN), total hip (TH), and lumbar spine (L1-L4) BMD in 5708 women and 2564 men aged 25 to 80+ yr from the population-based, nationwide, 9-center Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study. Incident 10-yr fragility fracture data were obtained from 4624 participants; >80% of fractures were objectively confirmed by medical records or radiology reports. Vertebral fractures were confirmed by qualitative morphological methods. All analyses were stratified by sex. Multivariable regression models assessed SB-BMD relationships; Cox proportional models were fit for fracture risk. Models were adjusted for age, height, BMI, physical activity, and sex-specific covariates. Women in third/fourth quartiles had lower adjusted FN BMD versus women with the least SB (first quartile); women in the SB third quartile had lower adjusted TH BMD. Men in the SB third quartile had lower adjusted FN BMD than those in SB first quartile. Neither baseline nor stable 10-yr SB was related to BMD change nor to incident fragility fractures. Increased sitting (SB) in this large, population-based cohort was associated with lower baseline FN BMD. Stable SB was not associated with 10-yr BMD loss nor increased fragility fracture. In conclusion, habitual adult SB was not associated with subsequent loss of BMD nor increased risk of fracture.

The number of hours of sitting in a day (often called "sedentary behavior") is currently understood to be "bad for bone health" both because of increased bone loss and a higher risk for fractures. Very few studies in randomly sampled men and women from a whole population have consistently asked about hours of sitting and examined baseline bone density. Fewer still have compared hours of sitting and its changes over 10 yr with changes in bone density and the number of new fractures that occurred. The Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study obtained sitting hours from 5708 women and 2564 men aged 25 to 80+ yr and compared it with the spine, total hip (TH), and femoral neck (FN) bone density values. The average sitting at 7.4 h in men was associated with slightly lower adjusted femoral neck bone density; in women, sitting 6.7 h/d was associated with slightly lower adjusted FN and TH bone density. Ten-year follow-up data (now in about 5000 people) showed no relationship between the slightly longer sitting (an increase of 18% in men and 22% in women) and bone loss or new bone fractures. In this large country-wide population-based study, hours of sitting each day were not associated with 10-yr BMD loss in women or men nor did sitting more associate with new bone fractures. These data are reassuring; women and men who walk regularly and have some moderate-vigorous physical activity each day, despite more sitting, do not seem to be at greater risk for osteoporosis.

Bone involvement in the early stages of Parkinson's disease: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the qualitative and quantitative alterations of bone tissue in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD) and to measure the associations between bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone score (TBS) and physical performance. METHODS: This case-control study enrolled patients with early-stage PD and age-matched controls. BMDs for the left femoral neck (L-FN) and lumbar spine (LS) were measured. Bone microarchitecture for the LS was determined using TBS. Muscle performance was assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB). Patients and controls were stratified in two groups based on the SPPB score: a poor performance group (SPPB score ≤8) and high performance group (SPPB > 8). RESULTS: This study included 26 patients: 13 in the PD group and 13 age-matched controls. The mean ± SD BMD results in the PD group were: L1-L4 BMD = 0.935 ± 0.183 g/cm2; L-FN BMD = 0.825 ± 0.037 g/cm2; with bone microarchitecture degraded in four patients and partially degraded in three patients. TBS was significantly different in the patients with PD stratified according to SPPB. Among the controls, there was a significant difference in body mass index between the two SPPB groups. CONCLUSION: TBS might identify bone involvement earlier than BMD in the initial stages of PD.

The association between type 2 diabetes mellitus/prediabetes status and femoral neck bone mineral density in old adults.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and osteoporosis has been increasing among older individuals, with these two health conditions often coexisting. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the association between T2DM status and bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck among older adults in the United States. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of the data from 5695 adults, 60-80 years of age. The data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, for the following years: 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2013-2014, and 2017-2018. Weighted multivariable regression analyses, with subgroup analyses as appropriate, were performed to identify an association between T2DM/prediabetes status and femoral BMD and mediating factors. RESULTS: There was a significant positive association between T2DM/prediabetes status and femoral neck BMD among older women, but not men, after adjusting for body mass index (BMI). On subgroup analysis, stratified by BMI, the significant positive association was retained for T2DM women with a BMI of 25-29.9 kg/m2 (ß, 0.030; 95% CI, 0.007-0.052) or ≥30 kg/m2 (ß, 0.029; 95% CI, 0.007-0.05), and for prediabetes women with a BMI of 25-29.9 kg/m2 (ß, 0.016; 95% CI, 0.001-0.030). CONCLUSIONS: The association between a positive T2DM/prediabetes status and femoral neck BMD differed by sex among older individuals, with the association being further modulated by BMI. For women with a BMI of 25-29.9 kg/m2 or ≥30 kg/m2, T2DM was associated with a significantly higher femoral neck BMD, compared to the non-diabetes group.

Infantile Myofibromatosis of the Femoral Neck: A Case Report.

CASE: A 15-month-old boy who was being followed for developmental dysplasia of the hip because of breech presentation was discovered to have a solitary infantile myofibroma in the left femoral neck. The patient was avoiding weight-bearing on the affected extremity; thus, stabilization of the femoral neck was performed using a proximal femur locking plate. Postoperatively, he achieved all gross motor developmental milestones. CONCLUSION: This report is the first to describe a solitary infantile myofibroma in the femoral neck and demonstrates the utility of operative stabilization of these lesions.

Fully automated measurement of femoral neck axis line in anatomical coordinate system using CT images.

The femoral neck is the most vulnerable site for fractures within the hip joint. Due to its complex three-dimensional structure and special blood supply mechanism, the treatment of femoral neck fractures is difficult and the healing probability is low. Using computers to accurately and automatically locate the femoral neck axis can detect the density of femoral neck, the neck-shaft angle and the anteversion angle, which effectively assists in the prevention and treatment of femoral neck fractures. Additionally, the traditional femoral neck axis positioning schemes have limitations in accuracy, automation and assistance to bone density measurement. Therefore, this paper proposes a new fully automatic femoral neck axis positioning method. First, the coronal plane's three-dimensional reconstruction highlights the details of the target bone, and then designs a coarse localization module based on multi-scale template matching to obtain the rough range of the femoral neck axis. Then, a detailed localization module based on the femoral neck virtual slices is used to obtain the contour centers and accurately locates the three-dimensional femoral neck axis. This method has been validated in comparison with the manual measurement method. Experimental results revealed that the extracted femoral neck axis in this study can achieve automation, ensure accuracy, and avoid subjective effects effectively and has the potential value to be applied in the prevention and treatment of femoral neck fractures.

Osteopenia and Osteoporosis Screening Detection: Calcaneal Quantitative Ultrasound with and without Calibration Factor Comparison to Gold Standard Dual X-ray Absorptiometry.

BACKGROUND: osteoporosis is a worldwide major health problem that normally diagnosed in advanced stages. So, an early detection at preclinical stage is now an interesting issue. A key factor to early diagnosis the disease is the used of noninvasive bone densitometry. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the gold standard techniques for the proposed. However, the high cost, non-widely available and exposed to ionizing radiation are still a drawback of the machine. Therefore, a cheaper, smaller and non-ionizing device such quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is now a favor alternative method, but the possibility of used QUS measurement instead of DXA is still limited due to their uncertainties. So, the aim of our study was to calibrated the QUS with the DXA to allowing the possible to establish a calibration factor (CF) to improve the measured value closer to the standard method. METHODOLOGY: 135 healthy men and women aged 30-88 years were recruited for lumbar spine/femoral neck DXA and calcaneal QUS scanning. The Pearson's correlation between T- and Z-score from the two systems were studied. Moreover, the sensitivity, specificity and percentage of diagnosed accuracy for both with and without CF were calculated. RESULTS: The significant correlation between the two systems showed a positive trajectory in highly correlation (r = 0.784-0.899). Analyses showed a higher sensitivity, specificity and reduced the misdiagnosed rates when applied the CF in QUS values. CONCLUSIONS: QUS results showed a significantly correlated with DXA results for both lumbar spine and femoral neck sites with some percentage differences. These differences can be reduced by applied an individual specific machine CF to improve a QUS results. As identification of high risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis to reduce the demand of DXA propose, using a QUS alternative method can be a reliable that provide a cheaper and lack of ionizing radiation.

Dynamic Foot Pressure During Walking: A Potential Indicator of Bone Mineral Density.

BACKGROUND: Physical skeletal loading can affect the bone mineral density (BMD). This study investigated the association between BMD and dynamic foot pressure during gait. METHODS: A total of 104 patients (mean age, 62.6 ± 12.4 years; 23 male and 81 female) who underwent dual x-ray absorptiometry and pedobarography were included. BMD values of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total femur were assessed. The mean and maximum pressures were measured at the hallux, lesser toes, 1st metatarsal head, 2nd and 3rd metatarsal heads, 4th and 5th metatarsal heads, midfoot, medial heel, and lateral heel. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify factors significantly associated with BMD. RESULTS: The lumbar spine BMD was significantly associated with the mean pressure at the 4th and 5th metatarsal heads (p = 0.041, adjusted R 2 of model = 0.081). The femoral neck BMD was significantly associated with the maximum pressure at the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal heads (p = 0.002, adjusted R 2 = 0.213). The total femoral BMD also showed a significant association with the maximum pressure at the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal heads (p = 0.003, adjusted R 2 = 0.360). CONCLUSIONS: Foot plantar pressure during gait was significantly associated with BMD, and could potentially be used to predict the presence of osteoporosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Longitudinal changes of the femoral bone mineral density from first to third trimester of pregnancy: bone health assessment by means of non-ionizing REMS technology.

BACKGROUND: Throughout the pregnancy, there is a substantial transfer of calcium from the maternal skeleton to the fetus, which leads to a transient net reduction of the maternal bone mineral density. AIMS: To assess longitudinally the changes in the bone mineral density at the femoral neck between the first and third trimester of pregnancy in a cohort of healthy participants using Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) technology. METHODS: Prospective, cohort study conducted at the University hospital of Parma, Italy between July 2022 and February 2023. We recruited healthy participants with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy before 14 completed weeks of gestation. All included participants were submitted to a sonographic examination of the femoral neck to assess the bone mineral density (and the corresponding Z-score values) using REMS at 11-13 and 36-38 weeks of pregnancy. The primary outcome was the change in the bone mineral density values at the maternal femoral neck between the first and third trimester of pregnancy. RESULTS: Over a period of 7 months, a total of 65 participants underwent bone mineral density measurement at the femoral neck at first and third trimester of the pregnancy using REMS. A significant reduction of the bone mineral density at the femoral neck (0.723 ± 0.069 vs 0.709 ± 0.069 g/cm2; p < 0.001) was noted with a mean bone mineral density change of - 1.9 ± 0.6% between the first and third trimester of pregnancy. At multivariable linear regression analysis, none of the demographic or clinical variables of the study population proved to be independently associated with the maternal bone mineral density changes at the femoral neck. CONCLUSIONS: Our study conducted on a cohort of healthy participants with uncomplicated pregnancy demonstrates that there is a significant reduction of bone mineral density at femoral neck from early to late gestation.