Low bone mineral density is associated with increased mortality in elderly men: MrOS Sweden

Summary

We studied the nature of the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and the risk of death among elderly men. BMD was associated with mortality risk and was independent of adjustments for other co-morbidities. A piecewise linear function described the relationship more accurately than assuming the same gradient of risk over the whole range of BMD (p?=?0.020). Low BMD was associated with a substantial excess risk of death, whilst a higher than average BMD had little impact on mortality.

Introduction

Previous studies have demonstrated an association between low BMD and an increased risk of death among men and women. The aim of the present study was to examine the pattern of the risk in men and its relation to co-morbidities.

Methods

We studied the nature of the relationship between BMD and death among 3,014 elderly men drawn from the population and recruited to the MrOS study in Sweden. Baseline data included general health questionnaires, life style questionnaires and BMD measured using DXA. Men were followed for up to 6.5?years (average 4.5?years). Poisson regression was used to investigate the relationship between BMD, co-morbidities and the hazard function of death.

Results

During follow-up, 382 men died (all-cause mortality). Low BMD at all measured skeletal sites was associated with increased mortality. In multivariate analyses, the relationship between BMD and mortality was non-linear, and a piecewise linear function described the relationship more accurately than assuming the same gradient of risk over the whole range of BMD (p?=?0.020).

Conclusions

Low BMD is associated with a substantial excess risk of death compared to an average BMD, whereas a higher than average BMD has a more modest effect on mortality. These findings, if confirmed elsewhere, have implications for the constructing of probability-based fracture risk assessment tools.     

Low holotranscobalamin and cobalamins predict incident fractures in elderly men: the MrOS Sweden

Summary

In a population-based study on cobalamin status and incident fractures in elderly men (n?=?790) with an average follow-up of 5.9 years, we found that low levels of metabolically active and total cobalamins predict incident fractures, independently of body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD), plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), and cystatin C.

Introduction

Cobalamin deficiency in elderlies may affect bone metabolism. This study aims to determine whether serum cobalamins or holotranscobalamin (holoTC; the metabolic active cobalamin) predict incident fractures in old men.

Methods

Men participating in the Gothenburg part of the population-based Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Sweden cohort and without ongoing vitamin B medication were included in the present study (n?=?790; age range, 70–81 years).

Results

During an average follow-up of 5.9 years, 110 men sustained X-ray-verified fractures including 45 men with clinical vertebral fractures. The risk of fracture (adjusted for age, smoking, BMI, BMD, falls, prevalent fracture, tHcy, cystatin C, 25-OH-vitamin D, intake of calcium, and physical activity (fully adjusted)), increased per each standard deviation decrease in cobalamins (hazard ratio (HR), 1.38; 95 % confidence intervals (CI), 1.11–1.72) and holoTC (HR, 1.26; 95 % CI, 1.03–1.54), respectively. Men in the lowest quartile of cobalamins and holoTC (fully adjusted) had an increased risk of all fracture (cobalamins, HR?=?1.67 (95 % CI, 1.06–2.62); holoTC, HR?=?1.74 (95 % CI, 1.12–2.69)) compared with quartiles 2–4. No associations between folate or tHcy and incident fractures were seen.

Conclusions

We present novel data showing that low levels of holoTC and cobalamins predicting incident fracture in elderly men. This association remained after adjustment for BMI, BMD, tHcy, and cystatin C. However, any causal relationship between low cobalamin status and fractures should be explored in a prospective treatment study.     

Waning predictive value of serum adiponectin for fracture risk in elderly men: MrOS Sweden

Summary

Serum adiponectin is a risk factor for fracture. The predictive value attenuates with time in elderly men so that its use for the risk assessment in the long term is questionable. The study underlines the importance of testing the long-term stability of potential risk factors.

Introduction

High serum adiponectin is associated with an increased risk of fracture in elderly men. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of adiponectin on the probability of fracture as a function of time.

Methods

The probability of osteoporotic fracture was computed in 989 elderly men from the MrOS study in Sweden. Baseline data included clinical risk factors for fracture, femoral neck BMD and serum adiponectin. Men were followed for up to 7.4 years with a mean follow up of 5.3 years (range 0.0–7.4 years). Poisson regression was used to model the hazard function for osteoporotic fracture and death to determine the 10 year probability of fracture.

Results

During follow up, 124 men sustained one or more osteoporotic fracture. There was a significant interaction between adiponectin and time since baseline (p?=?0.026) such that the longer time since baseline, the lower the gradient of fracture risk. When using this interaction in the calculation of 10-year probability of fracture, the probabilities of osteoporotic fracture varied little over the range of adiponectin values.

Conclusion

Serum adiponectin is a risk factor for fracture. Nevertheless, the predictive value attenuates with time so that its use for the risk assessment in the long term is questionable. This study underlines the importance of testing the long-term stability of potential risk factors that might be used in fracture risk assessment.     

High serum adiponectin predicts incident fractures in elderly men: Osteoporotic fractures in men (MrOS) Sweden

Adipocytes and osteoblasts share a common progenitor, and there is, therefore, potential for both autocrine and endocrine effects of adiponectin on skeletal metabolism. The aim of the present study was to determine whether high serum adiponectin was associated with an increased risk of fracture in elderly men. We studied the relationship between serum adiponectin and the risk of fracture in 999 elderly men drawn from the general population and recruited to the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) study in Gothenburg, Sweden. Baseline data included general health questionnaires, lifestyle questionnaires, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD), serum adiponectin, osteocalcin, and leptin. Men were followed for up to 7.4 years (average, 5.2 years). Poisson regression was used to investigate the relationship between serum adiponectin, other risk variables and the time‐to‐event hazard function of fracture. Median levels of serum adiponectin at baseline were 10.4 µg/mL (interquartile range, 7.7–14.3). During follow‐up, 150 men sustained one or more fractures. The risk of fracture increased in parallel with increasing serum adiponectin (hazard ratio [HR]/SD, 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–1.72) and persisted after multivariate‐adjusted analysis (HR/SD, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.09–1.55). Serum adiponectin shows graded stepwise association with a significant excess risk of fracture in elderly men that was independent of several other risk factors for fracture. Its measurement holds promise as a risk factor for fracture in men. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Pelvic fracture in the elderly is associated with increased mortality

OBJECTIVE: The elderly population is currently the fastest growing sector in America. The purpose of this study was to examine the age-related outcome in patients after blunt pelvic injury. METHODS: All patients admitted with a pelvic fracture during a 5-year period were identified from the trauma registry. Data retrieval included: demographics, shock (BP < 90 mm Hg) on admission, injury severity score (ISS), abbreviated injury score (AIS) for head, chest, and abdomen, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, and mortality. All pelvic fracture patterns were classified. Patient data were then stratified by age for comparison: young (< 55 years) and elderly (> or = 55 years). Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, multiple logistic regression analysis, and chi-square test with significance set at P <.05. RESULTS: Three hundred five patients sustained a pelvic fracture (young [n = 248, 81.3%]; elderly [n = 57, 18.7%]). The only predictor of mortality was age. The 2 groups differed by gender (elderly = 54.4% females; young = 62.5% males) but not frequency of shock, ISS, or AIS for head, chest, and abdomen. Motor vehicle collision was the most common mechanism of injury (elderly = 68.4%; young = 73.8%). Lateral compression was the most common fracture pattern in both groups (elderly = 54.4%; young = 45.6%). There was no difference in transfusion (elderly = 2.5 +/- 0.7 vs young = 2.0 +/- 0.3; ns) but the elderly group was more frequently admitted to the ICU (elderly = 61.4% vs young = 46.8%; P =.065). Significantly more of the elderly group had a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (43.9% vs 10.1%, P <.001) and diabetes mellitus (10.5% vs 2.4%, P <.014). Mortality was significantly greater in the elderly group (12.3% vs 2.3%). CONCLUSION: Elderly patients sustaining a pelvic fracture were more likely to have a lateral compression fracture pattern, longer hospital LOS, and die despite aggressive resuscitation. This difference in outcome should help trauma surgeons recognize that the elderly patient sustaining a pelvic fracture is at increased risk of death.     

Free testosterone is an independent predictor of BMD and prevalent fractures in elderly men: MrOS Sweden.

The role of androgens for bone health in elderly men is unclear. We show that free testosterone within the normal range is a predictor of BMD at predominantly cortical bone sites and of previous osteoporosis-related fractures in elderly Swedish men. INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis-related fractures constitute a major health concern not only in women but also in men. Previous studies have clearly shown that serum levels of estradiol are associated with BMD, whereas more conflicting data have been presented regarding the predictive value of testosterone (T) for bone health in elderly men. The aim of this study was to investigate if serum levels of T are associated with BMD and/or prevalent fractures in a large cohort of elderly men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the Swedish part of the MrOS study (n = 2908; average age, 75.4 years), bone parameters were measured using DXA, and prevalent fractures were recorded using standardized questionnaires and by vertebral X-ray analyses. Serum levels of total T, total estradiol (E2), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured by radioimmunoassay, and free T (FT) and free E2 (FE2) were derived from the mass action equations. Height, weight, age, physical activity, smoking habits, and calcium intake were included together with FT and FE2 in regression models for BMD. RESULTS: FT was an independent positive predictor of BMD in total body, total hip, femur trochanter, and arm but not in the lumbar spine. The highest independent predictive value of FT was found in the arm and the hip (with a relatively high content of cortical bone). FE2 was an independent predictor of BMD at all bone sites studied, and the highest predictive value was seen for lumbar spine (with relatively high content of trabecular bone) BMD. FT but not FE2 was a positive predictor of total body bone area and BMC. FT levels below the median were independent predictors of prevalent osteoporosis-related fractures (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.14-2.14; p < 0.01) and X-ray-verified vertebral fractures (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.34-2.86; p < 0.001). The predictive value of FT for prevalent fractures was not affected by adjustment for BMD. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that variation of FT within the normal range is an independent but modest predictor of BMD at predominantly cortical bone sites and of previous osteoporosis-related fractures in elderly men. Our data indicate that not only estrogens but also androgens are of importance for bone health in elderly men. Longitudinal studies investigating the predictive value of T for fracture risk in elderly men are required.     

Older men with low serum IGF‐1 have an increased risk of incident fractures: The MrOS Sweden study

Osteoporosis‐related fractures constitute a major health concern not only in women but also in men. Insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) is a key determinant of bone mass, but the association between serum IGF‐1 and incident fractures in men remains unclear. To determine the predictive value of serum IGF‐1 for fracture risk in men, older men (n = 2902, mean age of 75 years) participating in the prospective, population‐based Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Sweden study were followed for a mean of 3.3 years. Serum IGF‐1 was measured at baseline by radioimmunoassay. Fractures occurring after the baseline visit were validated. In age‐adjusted hazards regression analyses, serum IGF‐1 associated inversely with risk of all fractures [hazard ratio (HR) per SD decrease = 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–1.41], hip fractures (HR per SD decrease = 1.45, 95% CI 1.07–1.97), and clinical vertebral fractures (HR per SD decrease = 1.40, 95% CI 1.10–1‐78). The predictive role of serum IGF‐1 for fracture risk was unaffected by adjustment for height, weight, prevalent fractures, falls, and major prevalent diseases. Further adjustment for bone mineral density (BMD) resulted in an attenuated but still significant association between serum IGF‐1 and fracture risk. Serum IGF‐1 below but not above the median was inversely related to fracture incidence. The population‐attributable risk proportion was 7.5% for all fractures and 22.9% for hip fractures. Taken together, older men with low serum IGF‐1 have an increased fracture risk, especially for the two most important fracture types, hip and vertebral fractures. The association between serum IGF‐1 and fracture risk is partly mediated via BMD. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Serum vitamin D content is associated with semen parameters and serum testosterone levels in men

The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of serum vitamin D levels on semen quality and testosterone levels.This is a cross-sectional study conducted a...     

C-reactive protein elevation is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in elderly burned patients

BackgroundC-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein produced in response to inflammation after traumatic injury. We posit that C-reactive protein (CRP) is reliable in predicting morbidity and mortality following severe burn. In this study, we explored the relationship between serum CRP values and clinical outcomes in the severely burned.MethodsUsing the Research Network within the TriNetX database, we queried de-identified burn patient data across the United States and enrolled 36,556 burn patients with reported CRP values from 2006 to 2020.ResultsCirculating CRP levels were elevated significantly in patients ≥60 years as well as in males and African Americans (p < 0.05). CRP levels reached the zenith on the first day after burn, and were highest when burn size reached 60% total body surface area (TBSA). After bisecting the data at 10 mg/L of CRP, we compared clinical findings between patient groups (n = 16,284/18,647 in high/low CRP levels). The risk of patient death doubled in the high CRP group from 4.687% to 9.313%, with higher incidences of sepsis, skin infection, and myocardial infarction (p < 0.05). Moreover, mortality increased from 0.9% to 1.926% in those younger than 20 years when comparing the low and high CRP groups, whereas mortality significantly increased from 8.84% to 15.818% in those ≥60 years old (p < 0.05). Both elderly and paediatric groups had significant increases in the diagnosis of sepsis-associated with increased CRP expression. However, incidences of skin infection, pneumonia, and acute kidney injury increased significantly only in the elderly group (p < 0.05).ConclusionElevated CRP expression is common in burn patients. The factor of age influenced the association of CRP expression to clinical outcomes.     

Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with increased risk of stress fracture during Royal Marine recruit training

Summary

The aim of this study was to investigate vitamin D status and stress fracture risk during Royal Marine military training. Poor vitamin D status was associated with an increased risk of stress fracture. Vitamin D supplementation may help to reduce stress fracture risk in male military recruits with low vitamin D status.

Introduction

Stress fracture is a common overuse injury in military recruits, including Royal Marine (RM) training in the UK. RM training is recognised as one of the most arduous basic training programmes in the world. Associations have been reported between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and risk of stress fracture, but the threshold of 25(OH)D for this effect remains unclear. We aimed to determine if serum 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with stress fracture risk during RM training.

Methods

We prospectively followed 1082 RM recruits (males aged 16–32 years) through the 32-week RM training programme. Troops started training between September and July. Height, body weight and aerobic fitness were assessed at week 1. Venous blood samples were drawn at weeks 1, 15 and 32. Serum samples were analysed for 25(OH)D and parathyroid hormone (PTH).

Results

Seventy-eight recruits (7.2 %) suffered a total of 92 stress fractures. Recruits with a baseline serum 25(OH)D concentration below 50 nmol L^?1 had a higher incidence of stress fracture than recruits with 25(OH)D concentration above this threshold (χ² ₍₁₎?=?3.564, p?=?0.042; odds ratio 1.6 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.0–2.6)). Baseline serum 25(OH)D varied from 47.0?±?23.7 nmol L^?1 in February, to 97.3?±?24.6 nmol L^?1 in July (overall mean 69.2?±?29.2 nmol L^?1, n?=?1016). There were weak inverse correlations between serum 25(OH)D and PTH concentrations at week 15 (r?=??0.209, p?<?0.001) and week 32 (r?=??0.214, p?<?0.001), but not at baseline.

Conclusion

Baseline serum 25(OH)D concentration below 50 nmol L^?1 was associated with an increased risk of stress fracture. Further studies into the effects of vitamin D supplementation on stress fracture risk are certainly warranted.

     

Low body mass index is associated with increased mortality in patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures

AimsFractures of the pelvis and acetabulum are often the consequence of high energy trauma in young individuals or fragility fractures in osteoporotic bone. They can be life-threatening or life changing injuries. No published data exists comparing body mass index (BMI) and mortality for this patient group. The aim of this study was to identify if low BMI (<18.5) was a predictor of morbidity and mortality for patients with these injuries.Patients and MethodsOf the 1033 patients with pelvic or acetabular fractures referred to a single level 1 major trauma centre (MTC) over a 4.5-year period (August 2015 - January 2020); we retrospectively analysed data for all admitted patients. Data was collected on demographics, injury pattern, operative intervention and complications. Comparison was made between patients that were underweight (BMI<18.5) and patients that were not. Both in-hospital and post discharge complications were recorded including pulmonary embolus (PE), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), ileus, infection, loss of reduction and mortality at 6 months.Results569 patients admitted to the MTC with a pelvic or acetabular fracture were included in our analysis. Underweight patients had a statistically significant increase in mortality both in-hospital (p = 0.019) and at 6 months post injury (p = 0.039) when compared to other BMI groups. No statistical significance was found between these BMI groups comparing morbidity: DVT (p = 0.712), PE (p = 0.736) nor ileus (p = 0.149). Covariate analysis showed that a low BMI was associated with triple the in-hospital mortality after correction for age and energy of injury (adjusted OR 3.028, 95% CI 1.059-8.659).ConclusionThis is the first published study that demonstrates a statistically significant increase in mortality in patients with pelvic or acetabular fractures who are underweight. Surgeons should carefully consider appropriate peri-operative optimisation for these patients. Further investigation into the effects of low BMI and response to trauma is required.     

老年男性血清维生素D水平状况及其与甲状旁腺激素的相关性研究

目的 探讨老年男性血清维生素D水平及其与甲状旁腺素及骨代谢指标的相关性。方法 收集2010年9月至2013 年9月在上海瑞金医院老年病科病房住院及门诊患者895例,平均年龄为76岁。测定其血清25-羟基维生素D[25(OH)D]、血钙（Ca)、血磷(P)、甲状旁腺激素（PTH),1型胶原分子N-端前肽（PINP)及β-1型胶原C端肽（β-CTX)水平。根据血清25 (OH) D水平将患者分为维生素D严重缺乏组（<25 nmol/L)、维生素D缺乏组（25~50 nmol/L)、维生素D不足组（50 ~75 nmol/L)和维生素D充足组（>75 nmol/L)。结果（1)895例老年男性患者年龄60 ~99岁,平均年龄76岁。血清25( OH) D 平均值为(43. 52 ±21. 97) nmol/L。维生素D缺乏者（≤50nmol/L)为592人(67% ),维生素D不足者（50 ~ 75 nmol/L)为223 人(25%)。维生素D缺乏或不足者高达92%,维生素D充足者（>75 nmol/L)仅为80人(8%)。（2)不同年龄段血清25- (OH) D的比较显示,血清25-(OH) D水平随增龄而逐渐降低。60 ~69岁组25-(OH) D值最高,为（46. 27 ± 20. 76) nmol/L,与 其它各组比较差异均有统计学意义(P <0. 05)。相关分析表明,血清25-(OH)D与年龄呈负相关（相关系数r =-0.088,P = 0. 008)。（3)甲状旁腺素（PTH)的平均水平为（55. 74 ±29. 06) pg/mL。相关分析显示,25-(OH)D与PTH、PINP、β-CTX均呈负相关（r值分别为-0.209、-0. 109、-0. 122,P 均 <0.05)。血25-(OH)D 与 Ca 呈正相关（r = 0. 206,P <0.001)。血 25-(OH) D与BMI、P均无相关性（P均>0.05)。结论 老年男性存在严重的维生素D缺乏或不足。血25-(OH) D与PTH、年龄、 PINP、β-CTX均呈负相关。     

Low bone mineral density is associated with increased risk for myocardial infarction in men and women

Summary  

The association between bone mineral density (BMD) and myocardial infarction (MI) was investigated in 6,872 men and women. For both men and women, lower BMD in the femoral neck and hip was associated with increased risk of MI largely independent of smoking, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and diabetes.     

高龄男性血清25-羟基维生素D3独立相关因素的研究

目的 通过分析高龄(≥80岁)男性血清25-羟基维生素D3的独立相关因素,寻找提高高龄男性25-羟基维生素D3的方法.方法 对428例高龄男性进行骨代谢指标(包括25-羟基维生素D3)、血液生化指标和生殖激素的检测,运用Logistic回归分析筛选高龄男性25-羟基维生素D3的独立相关因素.结果 高龄男性25-羟基维生素D3的独立相关因素有血磷(β=-1.783,P=0.039)、甲状旁腺素(β=-0.021,P=0.004)、睾酮(β=0.217,P=0.002).结论 高龄男性25-羟基维生素D3浓度与血磷、甲状旁腺素和睾酮等因素有关,而增加维生素D的摄入是提高其浓度的根本措施.     

Predictors of non-spine fracture in elderly men: the MrOS study.

We examined determinants of nonvertebral fracture in elderly men from six U.S. communities followed an average of 4.1 years. Six clinical risk factors predicted fracture risk independent of hip BMD: tricyclic antidepressant use, previous fracture, inability to complete a narrow walk trial, falls in previous year, age > or =80 years, and depressed mood. INTRODUCTION: There are few prospective studies of fracture determinants in men. We examined the associations between a comprehensive set of clinical risk factors and risk of nonspine fracture in older men and whether determinants of fracture risk were independent of total hip BMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 5995 men > or =65 years of age were recruited from six communities in the Unites States and followed prospectively for an average of 4.1 years. Baseline assessments of demographic, lifestyle, medical history, functional status, anthropometry, and cognitive, visual, and neuromuscular function were assessed by questionnaire or examination. Triannual mailed questionnaires ascertained incident fracture; reported fractures were adjudicated by physicians using medical records and X-ray reports. Proportional hazards models were used to develop multivariable models, selecting variables and controlling for BMD. RESULTS: Of 5876 men, 4.7% (N = 275) reported an incident nonspine fracture during follow-up (11.46/1000 person-years). Tricyclic antidepressant use (hazard ratio [HR], 2.36; 95% CI, 1.25-4.46), history of fracture at or after age 50 (HR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.62-2.65), inability to complete a narrow walk trial (HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.23-2.34), falls in previous year (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.23-2.05), age > or =80 years (HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.01-1.76), depressed mood (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.00-2.95), and decreased total hip BMD (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.34-1.74) were independently related to increased risk. Compared with having none (48.0% of men), having three or more of the clinical risk factors (4.9% of men) increased fracture risk 5-fold, independent of BMD. Having three or more risk factors and being in the lowest tertile of BMD was associated with a 15-fold greater risk than having no risk factors and being in the highest BMD tertile. CONCLUSIONS: Several clinical risk factors were independently associated with nonspine fractures in elderly men. The combination of multiple risk factors and low BMD was a very powerful indicator of fracture risk.