FRAX (Aus) and falls risk: Association in men and women

PurposeThe WHO fracture risk prediction tool (FRAX®) utilises clinical risk factors to estimate the probability of fracture over a 10-year period. Although falls increase fracture risk, they have not been incorporated into FRAX. It is currently unclear if FRAX captures falls risk and whether addition of falls would improve fracture prediction. We aimed to investigate the association of falls risk and Australian-specific FRAX.MethodsClinical risk factors were documented for 735 men and 602 women (age 40–90 yr) assessed at follow-up (2006–2010 and 2000–2003, respectively) of the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. FRAX scores with and without BMD were calculated. A falls risk score was determined at the time of BMD assessment and self-reported incident falls were documented from questionnaires returned one year later. Multivariable analyses were performed to determine: (i) cross-sectional association between FRAX scores and falls risk score (Elderly Falls Screening Test, EFST) and (ii) prospective relationship between FRAX and time to a fall.ResultsThere was an association between FRAX (hip with BMD) and EFST scores (β = 0.07, p < 0.001). After adjustment for sex and age, the relationship became non-significant (β = 0.00, p = 0.79). The risk of incident falls increased with increasing FRAX (hip with BMD) score (unadjusted HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02, 1.07). After adjustment for age and sex, the relationship became non-significant (1.01, 95% CI 0.97, 1.05).ConclusionsThere is a weak positive correlation between FRAX and falls risk score, that is likely explained by the inclusion of age and sex in the FRAX model. These data suggest that FRAX score may not be a robust surrogate for falls risk and that inclusion of falls in fracture risk assessment should be further explored.     

A meta-analysis of the efficacy of raloxifene on all clinical and vertebral fractures and its dependency on FRAX®

IntroductionMultiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE), a placebo controlled phase III study of raloxifene in postmenopausal osteoporosis, showed that both doses tested (60 mg and 120 mg daily) reduced the risk of vertebral fracture. There was no significant effect on non-vertebral fracture.AimsThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the distribution of fracture risk assessed at baseline using the FRAX® tool in MORE and to determine the efficacy of raloxifene as a function of baseline fracture risk. The effects of raloxifene (60 and 120 mg daily combined) with placebo on the risk of all clinical fractures as well as the risk of morphometric vertebral fracture were examined as a function of baseline fracture risk.MethodsBaseline clinical risk factors and BMD were entered in the FRAX® model to compute the 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fractures. The interaction between fracture probability and treatment efficacy was examined by Poisson regression.ResultsThe 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fractures (with BMD) ranged from 0.9% to 77.2%. The incidence of clinical fractures and morphometric vertebral fractures increased with increasing baseline fracture probabilities. Treatment with raloxifene was associated with an 18% decrease in all clinical fractures compared to placebo treatment (hazard ratio HR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.71–0.95; p = 0.0063) and a 42% decrease in incident morphometric vertebral fractures (HR = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.48–0.69; p < 0.001). Efficacy was shown over the whole range of fracture probability and the interaction between fracture probability and treatment was not significant. The efficacy or raloxifene on vertebral fracture risk was significantly greater at lower ages. At the 90th percentile of age (75 years) vertebral fracture risk was reduced by 31% irrespective of FRAX® probabilities. In contrast at younger ages, efficacy was higher and increased further still with decreasing fracture probability.ConclusionWe conclude that raloxifene (60 and 120 mg doses combined) significantly decreased the risk of all clinical fractures and morphometric fractures in women. Overall, there was no significant interaction between efficacy and fracture probability. In the case of morphometric vertebral fractures efficacy decreased significantly with increasing age.     

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein is an independent risk factor for non-vertebral fractures in women and men: The Tromsø Study

Low-grade inflammation is associated with fractures, while the relationship between inflammation and bone mineral density (BMD) is less clear. Moreover, any gender differences in the sensitivity to inflammation are still poorly elucidated. We therefore tested the hypothesis that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) is an independent risk factor for low BMD and non-vertebral fractures, in both genders, and whether there are gender differences in these associations.CRP levels and BMD at the total hip and femoral neck were measured in 1902 women and 1648 men between 55 and 74 years of age, at baseline in the Tromsø Study, Norway, in 2001–2002. Non-vertebral fractures were registered from hospital X-ray archives during an average of 7.2 years follow-up. Linear regression analyses were used for CRP association with BMD and Cox proportional hazards model for fracture prediction by CRP.During 25 595 person-years follow-up, 366 (19%) women and 126 (8%) men suffered a non-vertebral fracture. There was no association between CRP and BMD in women, but an inverse association in men (p = 0.001) after adjustment for age and body mass index. Each standard deviation (SD) increase in log-CRP was associated with an increased risk for non-vertebral fracture by 13% in women and 22% in men (hazard ratios (HRs) 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.26, p = 0.026 and 1.22, 95% CI = 1.00–1.48, p = 0.046, respectively). After adjustment for BMD and other risk factors, women with CRP in the upper tertile exhibited 39% higher risk for fracture than those in the lowest tertile of CRP (HR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.06–1.83, p = 0.017), while men in the upper tertile exhibited 80% higher risk (HR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.10–2.94, p = 0.019).In summary, CRP was not associated with BMD in women but inversely associated in men, and predicted fractures in both genders. We infer that inflammation influence fracture risk in both women and men, although the biological mechanisms may differ between the genders.     

A prospective controlled study of continuous spinal analgesia versus repeat epidural analgesia after accidental dural puncture in labour

BackgroundAfter accidental dural puncture in labour it is suggested that inserting an intrathecal catheter and converting to spinal analgesia reduces postdural puncture headache and epidural blood patch rates. This treatment has never been tested in a controlled manner.MethodsThirty-four hospitals were randomised to one of two protocols for managing accidental dural puncture during attempted labour epidural analgesia: repeating the epidural procedure or converting to spinal analgesia by inserting the epidural catheter intrathecally. Hospitals changed protocols at six-month intervals for two years.ResultsOne hundred and fifteen women were recruited but 18 were excluded from initial analysis because of practical complications which had the potential to affect the incidence of headache and blood patch rates. Of the remaining 97 women, 47 were assigned to the repeat epidural group and 50 to the spinal analgesia group. Conversion to spinal analgesia did not reduce the incidence of postdural puncture headache (spinal 72% vs. epidural 62%, P = 0.2) or blood patch (spinal 50% vs. epidural 55%, P = 0.6). Binary logistic analysis revealed the relative risk of headache increased with 16-gauge vs. 18-gauge epidural needles (RR = 2.21, 95% CI 1.4–2.6, P = 0.005); anaesthetist inexperience (RR = 1.02 per year difference in experience, 95% CI 1.001–1.05, P = 0.043), and spontaneous vaginal compared to caesarean delivery (RR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.14–1.79, P = 0.02). These same factors also increased the risk of a blood patch: 16-gauge vs. 18-gauge needles (RR = 2.92, 95% CI 1.37–3.87, P = 0.01), anaesthetist inexperience (RR = 1.06 per year difference in experience, 95% CI 1.02–1.09, P = 0.006), spontaneous vaginal versus caesarean delivery (RR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.47–2.63, P = 0.002). When all patients were included for analysis of complications, there was a significantly greater requirement for two or more additional attempts to establish neuraxial analgesia associated with repeating the epidural (41% vs. 12%, P = 0.0004) and a 9% risk of second dural puncture.ConclusionsConverting to spinal analgesia after accidental dural puncture did not reduce the incidence of headache or blood patch, but was associated with easier establishment of neuraxial analgesia for labour. The most significant factor increasing headache and blood patch rates was the use of a 16-gauge compared to an 18-gauge epidural needle.     

High resolution quantitative computed tomography-based assessment of trabecular microstructure and strength estimates by finite-element analysis of the spine,but not DXA,reflects vertebral fracture status in men with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

High-resolution quantitative computed tomography (HRQCT)-based analysis of spinal bone density and microstructure, finite element analysis (FEA), and DXA were used to investigate the vertebral bone status of men with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO). DXA of L1–L3 and total hip, QCT of L1–L3, and HRQCT of T12 were available for 73 men (54.6 ± 14.0 years) with GIO. Prevalent vertebral fracture status was evaluated on radiographs using a semi-quantitative (SQ) score (normal = 0 to severe fracture = 3), and the spinal deformity index (SDI) score (sum of SQ scores of T4 to L4 vertebrae). Thirty-one (42.4%) subjects had prevalent vertebral fractures. Cortical BMD (Ct.BMD) and thickness (Ct.Th), trabecular BMD (Tb.BMD), apparent trabecular bone volume fraction (app.BV/TV), and apparent trabecular separation (app.Tb.Sp) were analyzed by HRQCT. Stiffness and strength of T12 were computed by HRQCT-based nonlinear FEA for axial compression, anterior bending and axial torsion. In logistic regressions adjusted for age, glucocorticoid dose and osteoporosis treatment, Tb.BMD was most closely associated with vertebral fracture status (standardized odds ratio [sOR]: Tb.BMD T12: 4.05 [95% CI: 1.8–9.0], Tb.BMD L1–L3: 3.95 [1.8–8.9]). Strength divided by cross-sectional area for axial compression showed the most significant association with spine fracture status among FEA variables (2.56 [1.29–5.07]). SDI was best predicted by a microstructural model using Ct.Th and app.Tb.Sp (r² = 0.57, p < 0.001). Spinal or hip DXA measurements did not show significant associations with fracture status or severity.In this cross-sectional study of males with GIO, QCT, HRQCT-based measurements and FEA variables were superior to DXA in discriminating between patients of differing prevalent vertebral fracture status. A microstructural model combining aspects of cortical and trabecular bone reflected fracture severity most accurately.     

Secondary hyperparathyroidism and mortality in hip fracture patients compared to a control group from general practice

IntroductionPreviously, little attention has been paid as to how disturbances in the parathyroid hormone (PTH)–calcium–vitamin D-axis, such as secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), relate to mortality amongst hip fracture patients. This study aimed to (1) determine if SHPT is associated with mortality in this group of patients, (2) investigate the association between serum (s-) PTH, s-total calcium, s-25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) and mortality and (3) determine the prevalence of SHPT amongst hip fracture patients and a control group.MethodThe study included 562 hip fracture patients (HF) (age ≥ 70 years) admitted to a Danish university hospital. The hip fracture patients were prospectively enrolled in a dedicated hip fracture database. Each hip fracture patient was exactly matched according to age and sex with two controls randomly chosen from a control population of 21,778 subjects who had s-PTH, s-total calcium and s-25(OH)D measured at the Copenhagen General Practitioners Laboratory after referral from their general practitioner. The control group (Con) thus consisted of 1124 subjects.ResultsGeneral 1-year mortality: Con-female 8.4%, Con-male 15.3%, HF-female 24.6%, HF-male 33.3%, p < 0.0001 (log rank).SHPT and related 1-year mortalityCon-no SHPT 8.9%, Con-SHPT 16.8%, HF-no SHPT 22.7%, HF-SHPT 34.9%, p < 0.0001 (log rank). The mortality rates were higher for controls with SHPT (OR 2.06, 95% CI: 1.32–3.23), hip fracture patients without SHPT (OR 3.00, 95% CI: 2.14–4.20) and hip fracture patients with SHPT (OR 5.46, 95% CI: 3.32–8.97) compared to the controls without SHPT.Prevalence of SHPTCon 16%, HF 20%, p = 0.09 (Chi-square).ConclusionsOur study clearly shows that SHPT is significantly associated with mortality in both hip fracture patients and the control group. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, s-PTH and s-total calcium were both significantly associated with mortality, whereas s-25(OH)D was not associated with mortality in this analysis. Our study furthermore indicates that SHPT is almost equally prevalent amongst the hip fracture patients and the control group.     

Mild to moderate cognitive impairment is a major risk factor for mortality and nursing home admission in the first year after hip fracture

BackgroundIt is not well established if and to what extent mild to moderate cognitive impairment predicts mortality and risk of nursing home admission after hip fracture.ObjectiveTo investigate prospectively whether and to what extent mild to moderate cognitive impairment, contributes to mortality and admission to nursing home in the first year after acute hip fracture.MethodsWe enrolled 173 patients with acute hip fracture age 65 and older who reached a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of at least 15 during acute care after hip fracture repair. An MMSE score of 15 to 24 (median) was classified as mild to moderate cognitive impairment. Primary outcomes were mortality in all and admission to nursing home among seniors who lived at home prior to their hip fracture. Follow-up was 12 months with clinical visits at baseline, 6, and 12 months, plus monthly phone calls. We used Cox proportional hazards models controlling for age, sex, body mass index, baseline number of comorbidities and 25-hydroxyvitamin D status, and severe incident infections to assess the risk of mortality and nursing home admission. Because the study population was enrolled in a factorial design clinical trial testing high dose vitamin D and/or an exercise home program, all analyses also controlled for these treatment strategies.ResultsOf 173 acute hip fracture patients enrolled, 79% were women, 77% were admitted from home, and 80% were vitamin D deficient (< 20 ng/ml). Mean age was 84 years. 54% had mild to moderate cognitive impairment. Over the 12-month follow-up, 20 patients died (27% of 173) and 47 (35% of 134) were newly admitted to a nursing home. Mild to moderate cognitive impairment was associated with a more than 5-fold increased risk of mortality (HR = 5.77; 95% CI: 1.55–21.55) and a more than 7-fold increased risk of nursing home admission (HR = 7.37; 95% CI: 1.75–30.95). Additional independent risk factors of mortality were male gender (HR = 3.55; 95% CI: 1.26–9.97), low BMI (HR = 7.25; 95% CI: 1.61–33.74), and baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D level (per 1 ng/ml: HR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87–0.998; p = 0.04).ConclusionsMild to moderate cognitive impairment in patients with acute hip fracture is associated with a high risk of mortality and nursing home admission during the first year after hip fracture. Female gender, a greater BMI and a higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D status may protect against mortality after hip fracture independent of cognitive function.     

Diagnostic value of ultrasound analysis and bone densitometry as predictors of vertebral deformity in postmenopausal women

Bone fractures depend not only on bone density, but also on bone quality. Ultrasound (US) has been proposed as a technique for evaluating skeletal status. Speed of sound (SOS) and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) are the US properties currently used to assess bone strength and fragility. In 304 postmenopausal women (age 58.8±5.5 years) we measured: bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), SOS, BUA and Stiffness in the os calcis (using an Achilles machine). In all subjects we performed lateral lumbar and thoracic radiographs. Morphometric parameters were derived by measuring the anterior, middle and posterior height of each vertebral body, to obtain a semiquantitative grading of vertebral fractures as follows: 0, no vertebral deformity; 1, any vertebral height reduced between 20% and 25%; 2, any vertebral height reduced between 25% and 40%; 3, any vertebral height reduced more than 40%. On the basis of the number and severity of vertebral deformities the women were divided into: group 1 (n=79), normal; group 2(n=80), mild; group 3 (n=85), moderate; and group 4 (n=60), severe. Mean values of SOS, BUA, Stiffness and BMD were significantly lower (p<0.001) in women with vertebral deformity than in normals. In the whole population SOS, BUA and Stiffness values were significantly correlated with BMD. SOS, BUA and Stiffness values were significantly decreased (p<0.001) with vertebral deformity, as was BMD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed BMD to be slightly better than Stiffness in discriminating among groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that BMD, BUA, SOS and Stiffness were independent predictors of vertebral fracture risk. Ultrasound parameters were still significant independent predictors of vertebral fracture even after adjusting for BMD.     

Computer navigation in the reduction and fixation of femoral shaft fractures: a randomized control study

ObjectivesWe investigated the accuracy of reduction of intramedullary nailed femoral shaft fractures in human cadavers, comparing conventional and computer navigation techniques.MethodsTwenty femoral shaft fractures were created in human cadavers, with segmental defects ranging from 9 to 53 mm in length (Winquist 3–4, AO 32C2). All fractures were fixed with antegrade 9 mm diameter femoral nails on a radiolucent operating table. Five fractures (“Fluoro” group) were fixed with conventional techniques and fifteen fractures (“Nav 1” and “Nav 2” groups) with computer navigation, using fluoroscopic images of the normal femur to correct for length and rotation. Postoperative CT scans compared femoral length and rotation with the normal leg.ResultsMean leg length discrepancy in the computer navigation groups was smaller, namely, 3.6 mm for Nav 1 (95% CI: 1.072 to 6.128) and 4.2 mm for Nav 2 (95% CI: 0.63 to 7.75) vs. 9.8 mm for Fluoro (95% CI: 6.225 to 13.37) (p < 0.023). Mean rotational discrepancies were 8.7° for Nav 1 (95% CI: 4.282 to 13.12) and 5.6° for Nav 2 (95% CI: ?0.65 to 11.85) vs. 9.0° for Fluoro (95% CI: 2.752 to 15.25) (p = 0.650).ConclusionsComputer navigation significantly improves the accuracy of femoral shaft fracture fixation with regard to leg length, but not rotational deformity.     

Pilot study on the use of acoustic radiation force impulse imaging in the staging of cystic fibrosis associated liver disease

BackgroundAcoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) is a novel technique for the measurement of hepatic stiffness, which could be valuable in clinical follow-up of patients affected by cystic fibrosis liver disease (CFLD).MethodsSeventy-five patients with suspected CFLD (35 males) underwent clinical and ultrasonographic evaluations, liver and pulmonary function tests, ARFI investigation, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Ten ARFI measurements were taken at the deep right hepatic lobe to compute median values of Shear Wave Velocity (SWV) for each individual.ResultsSWV increased progressively from 1.02 m/s (95%, Confidence Interval, CI, 0.92–1.126) in patients with no evidence of CFLD at ultrasonography (N = 16), to 1.12 (95%CI 1.049–1.19) in patients with CFLD and no signs of portal hypertension (PHT, N = 23), and to 1.25 (95%CI 1.14–1.358) in those with CFLD and signs of PHT (N = 28). SWV was 1.63 (95%CI 1.26–1.99) in patients with oesophageal varices (N = 8) (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsARFI may represent an easy, fast and non-invasive tool for the clinical follow-up of patients with cystic fibrosis associated liver disease.     

Low calcaneal bone mineral density and the risk of distal forearm fracture in women and men: A population-based case-control study

ObjectiveWe used dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to measure calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD) and estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis in a population with distal forearm fracture and a normative cohort.MethodsPatients 20 to 80 years of age with distal forearm fracture treated at one emergency hospital during two consecutive years were invited to calcaneal BMD measurement; 270 women (81%) and 64 men (73%) participated. A DXA heel scanner estimated BMD (g/cm²) and T-scores. Osteoporosis was defined as T-score ≤? 2.5 SD. Of the fracture cohort, 254 women aged 40–80 years and 27 men aged 60–80 years were compared with population-based control cohorts comprising 171 women in the age groups 50, 60, 70 and 80 years and 75 men in the age groups 60, 70, and 80 years.ResultsIn the fracture population no woman below 40 years or man below 60 years of age had osteoporosis. In women aged 40–80 years the prevalence of osteoporosis in the distal forearm fracture cohort was 34% and in the population-based controls was 25%; the age-adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) was 1.32 (95% CI 1.00–1.76). In the subgroup of women aged 60–80 years the age-adjusted prevalence ratio of osteoporosis was 1.28 (95% CI 0.95–1.71). In men aged 60–80 years the prevalence of osteoporosis in the fracture cohort was 44% and in the population-based controls was 8% (PR 6.31, 95% CI 2.78–14.4). The age-adjusted odds ratio for fracture associated with a 1-SD reduction in calcaneal BMD was in women aged 40–80 years 1.4 (95% CI 1.1–1.8), in the subgroup of women aged 60–80 years 1.2 (95% CI 0.95–1.6), and in men aged 60–80 years 2.6 (95% CI 1.7–4.1). Among those aged 60–80 years the area under the ROC curve was in women 0.56 (95% CI 0.49–0.63) and in men 0.80 (95% CI 0.70–0.80).ConclusionsThe age-adjusted prevalence of osteoporosis based on calcaneal BMD is higher in individuals with distal forearm fracture than in population-based controls. BMD impairment is associated with increased odds ratio for forearm fracture in both women and men but the differences between cases and controls are more pronounced in men than in women, which may have implications in fracture prevention.     

Does cardiology intervention improve mortality for post-operative troponin elevations after emergency orthopaedic–geriatric surgery? A randomised controlled study

ObjectivesTroponin elevations are common after emergency orthopaedic surgery and confer a higher mortality at one year. The objective was to determine if comprehensive cardiology care after emergency orthopaedic surgery reduces mortality at one year in patients who sustain a post-operative troponin elevation versus standard care.MethodsA randomised controlled trial was conducted at a metropolitan teaching hospital in Melbourne, Australia. 187 consecutive patients were eligible with 70 patients randomised. Troponin I was tested peri-operatively and patients with a troponin elevation were randomised to cardiology care versus standard ward management. The main outcome measure was one year mortality.ResultsThe incidence of a post-operative troponin elevation was 37.4% (70/187) and these 70 patients were randomised. In-hospital cardiac complications were similar between the randomised groups: standard care (7/35 or 20.0%) versus cardiology care (8/35 or 22.9%). There was no difference in 1 year mortality between the randomised groups (6/35 or 17.1% in each group). Multivariate predictors of 1 year mortality were post-operative troponin elevation OR 4.3 (95% CI, 1.1–16.4, p = 0.035), age OR 1.1 (95% CI, 1.02–1.2, p = 0.016) and number of comorbidities OR 2.1 (95% CI, 1.3–3.5, p = 0.004). At 1 year 35/187 (18.7%) sustained a cardiac complication and 23/35 (65.7%) had a troponin elevation.ConclusionsThere was no difference in mortality between patients with a post-operative troponin elevation randomised to cardiology care compared with standard care. Troponin elevation predicted one year mortality. Further research is needed to find an effective intervention to reduce mortality.     

Discharge destination following lower limb fracture: development of a prediction model to assist with decision making

BackgroundAccurate prediction of the likelihood of discharge to inpatient rehabilitation following lower limb fracture made on admission to hospital may assist patient discharge planning and decrease the burden on the hospital system caused by delays in decision making.AimsTo develop a prognostic model for discharge to inpatient rehabilitation.MethodIsolated lower extremity fracture cases (excluding fractured neck of femur), captured by the Victorian Orthopaedic Trauma Outcomes Registry (VOTOR), were extracted for analysis. A training data set was created for model development and validation data set for evaluation. A multivariable logistic regression model was developed based on patient and injury characteristics. Models were assessed using measures of discrimination (C-statistic) and calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow (H–L) statistic).ResultsA total of 1429 patients met the inclusion criteria and were randomly split into training and test data sets. Increasing age, more proximal fracture type, compensation or private fund source for the admission, metropolitan location of residence, not working prior to injury and having a self-reported pre-injury disability were included in the final prediction model. The C-statistic for the model was 0.92 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88, 0.95) with an H–L statistic of χ² = 11.62, p = 0.17. For the test data set, the C-statistic was 0.86 (95% CI 0.83, 0.90) with an H–L statistic of χ² = 37.98, p < 0.001.ConclusionA model to predict discharge to inpatient rehabilitation following lower limb fracture was developed with excellent discrimination although the calibration was reduced in the test data set. This model requires prospective testing but could form an integral part of decision making in regards to discharge disposition to facilitate timely and accurate referral to rehabilitation and optimise resource allocation.     

Higher prevalence of morphometric vertebral fractures in patients with recent coronary events independently of BMD measurements

Cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis are important causes of morbi-mortality in the elderly and may be mutually related. Low bone mineral density (BMD) may be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. We investigated the prevalence of low bone mass and fractures in metabolic syndrome patients with acute coronary events. A case–control study was conducted with 150 individuals (30–80 years-old) with metabolic syndrome. Seventy-one patients had had an acute coronary syndrome episode in the last 6 months (cases) and the remaining 79 had no coronary event (controls). Cases and controls were matched for gender, BMI and age. DXA measurements and body composition were performed while spine radiographs surveyed for vertebral fractures and vascular calcification. Biochemical bone and metabolic parameters were measured in all patients. No statistically significant difference in BMD and the prevalence of osteopenia, osteoporosis and non-vertebral fractures was observed between cases and controls. The prevalence of vertebral fractures and all fractures was higher in the cases (14.1 versus 1.3%, p = 0.003 and 22.5versus7.6%, p = 0.010, respectively). Male gender (OR = 0.22 95% CI 0.58 to 0.83, p = 0.026) and daily intake of more than 3 portions of dairy products (OR = 0.19 95% CI 0.49 to 0.75, p = 0.017) were associated with lower prevalence of fractures. Cases had higher risk for fractures (OR = 4.97, 95% CI 1.17 to 30.30, p = 0.031). Bone mass and body composition parameters were not associated with cardiovascular risk factors or bone mineral metabolism. Patients with fragility fractures had higher OPG serum levels than those without fractures (p < 0.001). Our findings demonstrated that patients with recent coronary events have a higher prevalence of vertebral fractures independently of BMD.     

Vertebral fractures in males with type 2 diabetes treated with rosiglitazone

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between osteoporotic vertebral fractures and rosiglitazone treatment and the influence on this association of bone mineral density (BMD) and duration of diabetes.Research design and methodsIn this cross-sectional study, we evaluated BMD by DXA and the prevalence of radiological vertebral fractures identified by a quantitative morphometric analysis in 43 males with type 2 diabetes under metformin alone (22 cases) or associated with rosiglitazone (21 cases) and in 22 control non-diabetic subjects attending an out-patient bone clinic.ResultsVertebral fractures were found in 46.5% of diabetic males (p = 0.06 vs. control subjects) with higher prevalence in patients treated with rosiglitazone plus metformin as compared with those under treatment with metformin alone (66.7% vs. 27.3%; p = 0.01). The patients on rosiglitazone plus metformin were significantly younger and with greater body mass index (BMI). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that rosiglitazone plus metformin treatment maintained the significant correlation with the occurrence of vertebral fractures (odds ratio 6.5, C.I. 1.3–38.1, p = 0.03) even after correction for age and BMI. Within the rosiglitazone-exposed group, the occurrence of vertebral fractures was not correlated with BMD, age, duration of diabetes, duration of medical treatment, dose of rosiglitazone, serum glycosylated hemoglobin and total testosterone values.ConclusionsThe use of rosiglitazone is associated with an increased prevalence of vertebral fractures in males with type 2 diabetes. These findings call for a wide screening of bone status in diabetic patients treated with rosiglitazone and the use of spine X-ray in combination with DXA in this assessment.     

Supine vs Decubitus Lateral Patient Positioning in Vertebral Fracture Assessment

In vertebral fracture assessment (VFA), lateral scans are obtained with the patient positioned supine (C-arm densitometers) or lateral decubitus (fixed-arm densitometers). We aimed to determine the impact of positioning on image quality and fracture definition. We performed supine and decubitus lateral VFA in 50 postmenopausal women and used the algorithm-based qualitative method to identify vertebral fractures. We compared the 2 techniques for the identification of fractures (kappa analysis) and compared the numbers of unreadable vertebrae (indiscernible endplates) and vertebrae that were projected obliquely (Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test). The kappa score for agreement between the VFA techniques (to identify women with vertebral fractures) was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68–0.99), and for agreement with fracture assessments made from radiographs, kappa was 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.94) for both supine and decubitus lateral VFA. There were more unreadable vertebrae with supine lateral (48 vertebrae in supine lateral compared with 14 in decubitus lateral; p = 0.001), but oblique projection was less common (93 vertebrae compared with 145 in decubitus lateral; p = 0.002). We conclude that there were significantly different projection effects with supine and decubitus lateral VFA, but these differences did not influence the identification of vertebral fractures in our study sample.     

Meta-analysis of predictive factors and outcomes for failure of non-operative management of blunt splenic trauma

BackgroundThis study aimed to analyse predictive factors and outcomes of failure of non-operative management (NOM) following blunt splenic trauma.MethodsA systematic review of the literature was performed for studies comparing failed NOM (fNOM) to successful NOM (sNOM) in adults (≥16 years). The main endpoints were fNOM and associated mortality. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed. Meta-analysis of high quality studies, identified using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, was performed using fixed or random models.ResultsFour prospective and 21 retrospective studies were included. From 24,615 unselected patients, 3025 experienced fNOM (12%, range 4–52%). Meta-analysis of the high quality studies revealed that mortality was significantly higher with fNOM in unselected age groups (odds ratio 1.93, 95% confidence interval 1.04–3.57, p = 0.04, I² = 0%), in those <55 years old (OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.73–6.77, p = 0.02, I² = 0%) and in those ≥55 years old (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.20–5.82, p = 0.02, I² = 0%). There was a significant improvement in sNOM following introduction of angioembolisation protocols (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.13–0.53, p < 0.002, I² = 51%), although these five studies were non-randomised. American Association for the Surgery of Trauma injury grades 4–5, the presence of moderate or large haemoperitoneum, increasing injury severity score and increasing age were all significantly associated with increased risk of fNOM. fNOM led to significantly longer intensive care unit and overall lengths of stay.ConclusionsfNOM leads to increased resource use and increased mortality. Methods of preventing fNOM, such as angioembolisation, warrant further assessment. Patients with increasing age, AAST scores and moderate or large haemoperitoneums may benefit from closer monitoring.     

Radiological evaluation of intertrochanteric fracture fixation by the proximal femoral nail

BackgroundSuccessful treatment of intertrochanteric femoral fractures was reportedly influenced by the position of the fixation devices, by reduction quality and by fracture type.MethodsThe records of 227 patients with intertrochanteric fractures treated by intramedullary hip screws were analysed retrospectively. The angle and distance from the femur head apex were transformed into Cartesian coordinates. Comparisons were performed between patients with no mechanical failure (207 patients, 90.7%), with cutouts (15 patients, 6.6%) and with secondary loss of reduction (5 patients, 2.2%).ResultsThe standard tip apex distance (TAD) measurement above 25 mm did not predict failure (p = 0.62). Mechanical failure rates increased from 4.8% to 34.4% when the centre of lag screw was not in the second quarter of the head–neck interface line (the so-called “safe zone”) (p = 0.001). Lag screw insertion lower or higher than 11 mm of the head apex line were associated with failure rates of 5.5% and 18.6%, respectively (p = 0.004). Multivariate logistic regression showed that lag screw insertion not within the “safe-zone” was associated an Odds Ratio of 13.4 (95% CI 2.24–81) for mechanical failure (p = 0.004).ConclusionsThe TAD scale focuses on length measurement and lacks the vector properties of multidirectional measurements. Vector analysis revealed that the caudal-cranial correct lag screw position is the most important factor in preventing mechanical failure.     

Risk of fracture with thiazolidinediones: An updated meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

ObjectiveThe use of thiazolidinediones (TZDs) has been associated with increased fracture risk. We performed a comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis to estimate the risk of fractures with TZDsMethodsWe searched MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Database, from inception to May 2014. We included all randomized trials that described the risk of fractures or changes in bone mineral density (BMD) with TZDs. We pooled data with odds ratios (ORs) for fractures and the weighted mean difference in BMD. To assess heterogeneity in results of individual studies, we used Cochran's Q statistic and the I² statistic.ResultsWe included 24,544 participants with 896 fracture cases from 22 randomized controlled trials. Meta-analysis showed that the significantly increased incidence of fracture was found in women (OR = 1.94; 95%CI: 1.60–2.35; P < 0.001), but not in men (OR = 1.02; 95%CI: 0.83–1.27; P = 0.83). For women, the fracture risk was similar in rosiglitazone (OR = 2.01; 95%CI: 1.61–2.51; P < 0.001) and pioglitazone (OR = 1.73; 95%CI: 1.18–2.55; P = 0.005) treatment and appeared to be similar for participants aged < 60 years old (OR = 1.89; 95%CI: 1.51–2.36; P < 0.001) and aged ≥ 60 years old (OR = 2.07; 95%CI: 1.51–2.36; P < 0.001). There was a non-significant trend towards increased risk of fractures in different cumulative durations of TZD exposure. TZD treatment was also associated with significant changes in BMD among women at the lumbar spine(weighted mean difference: − 0.49%, 95%CI: − 0.66% to − 0.32%; P < 0.001), the femoral neck (weighted mean difference: − 0.34%, 95%CI: − 0.51% to − 0.16%; P < 0.001) and the hip(weighted mean difference: − 0.33%, 95%CI: − 0.52% to − 0.14%; P < 0.001).ConclusionsOur results suggest that TZD treatment is associated with an increased risk of fractures in women, effects of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone are similar, fracture risk is independent of age and fracture risk has no clear association with duration of TZD exposure.     

Oncological outcomes of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with pluck method for distal ureter resection

ObjectiveTo report the oncologic outcomes of upper tract urothelial carcinoma treated with laparoscopic nephroureterectomy and pluck method for distal ureter resection.Materials and methodsBetween May 2004 and November 2015, 118 patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma received laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy with endoscopic bladder cuff excision at our institution. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively for clinical and pathological results. Cox regression analyses were performed on factors related to oncological outcomes.ResultsThe median follow-up was 26 months. Bladder recurrence was found in 27 patients (22.9%), extravesical retroperitoneal recurrence in four patients (3.4%), and metastases in 17 patients (14.4%). Multivariate analyses showed that male sex was associated with higher bladder recurrence [odds ratio (OR) = 2.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–4.78; p = 0.045)], tumor size had significant correlation with locoregional recurrence (OR = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.07–3.43; p = 0.029), tumor stage was significantly correlated with subsequent metastasis (OR = 2.08; 95% CI, 1.21–3.56; p = 0.008) and overall survival (OR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.06–3.22 ; p = 0.031), and tumor size correlated significantly with cancer-specific survival (OR = 2.57; 95% CI, 1.16–5.72; p = 0.021).ConclusionsTumor size and tumor stage were significantly associated with survival (cancer-specific and overall survival) in patients receiving nephroureterectomy with pluck method.