绝经后女性椎体骨折与髋部骨密度及年龄的相关性研究

目的分析绝经后女性椎体骨折与髋部骨密度、年龄、身高、体质量及体质量指数(BMI)的相关性。方法对2012年1月至2015年6月我院骨质疏松门诊就诊的绝经后女性患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。收集患者年龄、身高、体质量和髋部(全髋、股骨颈)骨密度(BMD)值,并通过胸腰段X线侧位片评估椎体形态,计算出反映脊柱椎体骨折总和的脊柱畸形指数(SDI)。对椎体骨折组和无椎体骨折组临床资料进行分析比较。采用Spearman检验,分析SDI与年龄、身高、体质量、BMI及髋部BMD之间的相关性,具有显著相关性的因素进行线性回归分析。结果共213例患者入组,骨质疏松性椎体骨折组114例(53.52%),无椎体骨折组99例(46.49%),骨折涉及278个椎体,发生频率前5位的椎体依次为:L1(51次,18.35%)、T12(48次,17.27%)、T11(45次,16.19%)、L4(29次,10.43%)、T7(28次,10.07%)。根据髋部BMD进行骨量评估,椎体骨折组骨质疏松50例(43.86%),骨量减少63例(56.14%),无椎体骨折组骨质疏松23例(23.23%)。椎体骨折组较无椎体骨折组具有较高的年龄、较低的身高及较低的全髋和股骨颈BMD,差异均有统计学意义(P均0.001),在体质量及BMI方面2组差异无统计学意义。年龄、身高、BMI及全髋和股骨颈BMD与SDI显著相关,其r值依次为0.361、-0.334、0.179、-0.409、-0.364,P均0.001。进一步行线性回归分析,各因素对SDI影响程度大小依次为全髋BMD、身高、股骨颈BMD、年龄及BMI。结论骨量丢失、增龄是绝经后女性骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折发生的危险因素。     

体重、体重指数对健康绝经后妇女骨密度的影响

目的探讨体重和体重指数（BMI）对健康绝经后妇女骨密度（BMD）的影响。方法采用双能X线骨密度仪测量591例健康绝经后女性不同部位的BMD，按BMI不同分为低体重组、正常体重组和肥胖组进行分析。结果各部位的BMD随BMI的增加而增高（P〈0．01）。BMD随年龄的增长而降低（P〈0．01）。肥胖组各部位BMD均比正常体重组和低体重组高（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）。年龄和体重是决定BMD变异的主要因素，年龄与BMD呈负相关，体重与BMD呈正相关，绝经年龄与腰椎正位BMD呈正相关；BMI与BMD无相关性。结论体重是影响绝经后妇女BMD的重要因素。对低体重的绝经后妇女定期监测BMD，有助于早期干预。     

绝经后妇女骨密度、骨面积与椎体骨折的相关性分析

目的 探讨骨密度(bone mineraldensity, BMD)、骨面积与绝经后妇女椎体骨折发生的相关性。方法 回顾分析980例绝经后妇女临床病例资料,486例(46～98岁)有椎体压缩性骨折为骨折组,494例(49～94岁)无椎体压缩性骨折为对照组。两组均记录双能X线吸收测量仪(dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, DXA)检测的腰椎和股骨近端BMD、骨面积数据;使用Logistic回归模型分析椎体骨折发生、椎体骨折数目与各临床因素间关系;不同部位BMD及骨面积预测骨折的精确性采用受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic, ROC)曲线分析,使用χ²检验比较两组间骨质疏松症检出率。结果 椎体骨折组,身高、体质量、体质量指数(body mass index, BMI)及绝经年龄均显著低于对照组(P<0.05),且腰椎BMD、腰椎面积及近端股骨BMD显著低于对照组(P<0.001)。腰椎BMD与是否发生椎体骨折及椎体骨折数关联性最高,其次为股骨大转子BMD。校正BMI后,腰椎BM...     

以生物电阻法检测的身体组成成分与女性骨量的关系

目的 探讨体内的体脂和非体脂对绝经前和绝经后妇女骨密度(BMD)的作用。方法 282例绝经前和205例绝经后妇女参加本研究,用双能X线骨密度仪测定腰椎和股骨颈BMD,用生物电阻法测定体脂和非体脂,同时测量身高、体重、腰围、臀围,并计算体重指数(BMI)和腰臀围比(WHR)。结果 体脂和非体脂与绝经前、绝经后妇女腰椎和股骨颈BMD均呈显著正相关(P＜0．01),多元逐步回归分析显示,在绝经前妇女中,非体脂和年龄是腰椎BMD的独立影响因素(R^2=0．077,P=0．000),非体脂、年龄和BMI是影响股骨颈BMD的决定因素(R^2=0．130,P=0．000),在绝经后妇女中,体脂和年龄是影响腰椎和股骨颈BMD的决定因素(R^2分别为0．153和0．184,P=0．000)。结论 体脂和非体脂对绝经前和绝经后妇女BMD的作用不同,非体脂是决定绝经前妇女骨量的重要因素,而体脂是影响绝经后妇女骨量的重要因素。     

老年人腰椎和髋部骨密度测定T评分的一致性比较

目的 探讨老年人腰椎和髋部双能X线骨密度(DEXA)测定T评分的一致性及髋部骨密度(BMD)T评分在骨质疏松诊断中的意义。方法 在排除患有影响骨量的疾病及使用影响骨代谢药物者后，选择60-89岁老年人260(其中男123人，女137人)例作为为研究对象。受检者均接受问卷调查、胸腰段脊椎正侧位X线摄片，DEXA测定2-4腰椎(L2-4)椎体前后位和左髋部BMD(若左髋部发生过骨折或存有明显病变则改测右髋部)，并进行有关统计分析。结果 老年男性各年龄组L2-4 BMD T评分比髋部要高(P＜0．01或P＜0.05)；老年女性除在65—69岁、85—89岁年龄组腰椎BMD T评分比髋部要高(P＜0．01和P＜0.05)外，其余各组则差异无显著性。按照WHO标准，以髋部、腰椎和同时以髋部、腰椎BMD T评分为依据，在123例男性中，分别有19、6、5人被诊断为骨质疏松症；在137例女性中，则分别有35、17、14人被诊断为骨质疏松症；单以腰椎和同时以髋部、腰椎BMD T评分为依据所检出的骨质疏松症患者人数均少于单以髋部BMD T评分为依据者(P＜0．01)。结论 在老年人尤其是老年男性，其腰椎BMD T评分明显高于髋部，腰部BMD T评分在骨质疏松诊断中的意义更为重要。     

上海市北蔡地区老年女性生理因素与腰椎和髋部骨密度的关系探讨

目的了解上海市北蔡镇老年女性生理因素与骨密度（BMD）的关系,为本地区骨质疏松症（OP）的防治提供参考。方法使用美国GE公司的Lunar Prodigy Advance PA＋300164型双能X线骨密度仪对395例上海市北蔡镇60～79岁老年女性正位腰椎和左股骨近端进行BMD测定。结果绝经初期（1～15 a）腰椎及髋部各部位BMD下降速度较快。绝经年限在16～20 a时,腰椎BMD下降速度减慢,而股骨各部位BMD下降速度仍较快。在单因素相关分析和调整月经初潮、月经间隔、行经时间后进行偏相关分析以及对生理因素进行多元线性回归分析都显示：腰椎与髋部的BMD与年龄、绝经年限呈负相关（P〈0.01）。行径年限、绝经年龄与髋部各部位BMD呈显著正相关,但与腰椎各部位BMD均无显著相关。孕次与髋部各部位BMD呈显著负相关,但与腰椎各部位BMD均无显著相关。结论年龄、绝经年限与腰椎和髋部BMD相关。行径年限、绝经年龄、孕次与髋部BMD相关。     

绝经后骨质疏松患者体质指数、骨转换指标与骨密度和骨折的相关性

目的探讨绝经后骨质疏松(POP)患者骨转换指标、体质指标与骨密度(BMD)和骨折的相关性。方法选择78例48~74岁POP妇女,用双能X线吸收法(DEXA)测定腰椎L_(1~4)(正位)、股骨颈及髋部BMD,测量患者身高、体重,计算体重指数(BMI)。采集空腹血后测定血清Ⅰ型胶原氨基端前肽(PINP)、Ⅰ型胶原羧基末端肽(CTX)、甲状旁腺激素(PTH)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)。结果 1年龄与CTX、ALP、身高和BMI存在明显相关性,相关系数(r)分别为0.302、0.334、-0.229和0.325。2年龄与腰椎、股骨颈及髋部BMD间均存在负相关,r分别为-0.280、-0.364和-0.390。3校正年龄因素影响后,PINP与股骨颈和髋部BMD间存在负相关,r分别为-0.434和-0.304;ALP与股骨颈BMD存在负相关,r为-0.209。4脆性骨折组腰椎BMD、体重和BMI较无骨折组都有非常显著的差异。5脆性股骨颈骨折组PINP和ALP均显著高于无骨折组、脆性非股骨颈骨折组。结论年龄是影响BMI、BMD和骨转换指标的重要因素,骨转换指标和BMD间存在负相关。肥胖、腰椎BMD降低及PINP和ALP等骨转换指标的升高都可增加POP患者发生脆性骨折的风险。     

绝经后骨质疏松症相关因素与雌激素受体-α基因PvuⅡ、XbaⅠ多态性的关系

目的　研究上海市绝经后妇女骨质疏松症与雌激素受体 α(ER α)基因PvuⅡ、XbaⅠ多态性及相关因素的关系。　方法　按骨密度 (BMD)值将上海市 5 17例绝经后汉族妇女分为骨质疏松组 (2 4 4例 )和对照组 (2 73例 ) ,用PCR 限制性片段长度多态技术检测ER α基因PvuⅡ、XbaⅠ多态性。　结果　ER α基因PvuⅡ、XbaⅠ等位基因和基因型频率分布在两组间差异无显著性。在全部受试者中 ,2～ 4腰椎 (L2～ 4)、股骨颈 (Neck)、大转子 (Troch)及Ward’s三角 (Ward’s)的BMD值与体重呈正相关 (r为 0 4 5 3、0 5 34、0 5 0 4、0 35 1,均为P <0 0 0 1) ,与年龄、绝经年限负相关 (P <0 0 0 1) ;职业与股骨近端各部位BMD值呈正相关 (P <0 0 1) ;月经初潮年龄、身高分别与L2～ 4及股骨颈BMD值负相关 (P <0 0 5 ) ;ER α基因PvuⅡ多态性与股骨近端各部位BMD值相关 (P <0 0 5 ) ,但骨质疏松组和对照组均未发现PvuⅡ、XbaⅠ多态性与BMD值的关联 ,PvuⅡ、XbaⅠ多态性频率分布在两组间差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。　结论　ER α基因PvuⅡ多态性、年龄、身高、体重、月经初潮年龄、绝经年限和职业与绝经后妇女BMD值相关 ,但ER α基因PvuⅡ、XbaⅠ多态性不是上海绝经后妇女骨质疏松症的遗传易感因子。     

年龄、身高、体重、体重指数与武汉地区绝经后骨质疏松症患者骨密度的关系

目的探讨年龄、身高、体重、体重指数等指标对武汉地区绝经后骨质疏松症患者骨密度的影响,为骨质疏松防治提供参考依据。方法用DEXA法测定118例武汉地区绝经后骨质疏松症患者腰椎、股骨颈、大转子、转子内区、髋部总体和Ward's三角的BMD值,同时记录受试者年龄、体重、身高等指标,并计算体重指数。用SPSS12.0统计软件进行年龄、身高、体重、体重指数与各部位骨密度Pearson相关分析,不同年龄组间比较采用t检验。结果年龄与Ward's三角骨密度呈负相关;身高与股骨颈及髋部总体的骨密度呈正相关;体重与股骨颈、转子内区、髋部总体和Ward's三角骨密度呈正相关;体重指数与转子内区骨密度呈正相关。相对高龄组患者较相对低龄组患者股骨颈骨密度差异有统计学意义。结论年龄、身高、体重和体重指数均是影响绝经后骨质疏松症患者BMD的因素;以体重对骨密度的影响最大。保持体重有利于延缓绝经后骨质疏松症的发生。高龄绝经后骨质疏松症患者尤其要防止股骨颈骨折的发生。     

基质金属蛋白酶-1、-2与女性年龄、骨转换生化指标及骨密度的关系

目的 探讨血清基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）-1、MMP-2与女性年龄、骨密度（BMD）及骨转换生化指标之间的关系。方法用ELISA测定591例20-80岁女性志愿者血清MMP-1、MMP-2、血清骨碱性磷酸酶（BAP）、血清骨钙素（OC）和血清Ⅰ型胶原氨基末端肽（NTX）,用DEXA测定腰椎1-4正位总体、股骨颈、Ward三角区、总髋部的BMD。结果（1）MMP-1、MMP-2与年龄呈正相关。（2）绝经后妇女MMP-2水平高于绝经前妇女（P〈0．001）。（3）MMP-2与BMD呈负相关（P〈0．05）,但多元线性回归分析表明MMP-2不是BMD的预测因子。（4）MMP-2与血清BAP、OC、NTX正相关（P〈0．01）。（5）绝经后骨质疏松症患者血清MMP-2水平高于年龄匹配的正常对照组、骨量减少组（P〈0．01）。结论血清MMP-2与骨转换生化指标相关联。血清MMP-2水平升高可能为高骨转换过程（如绝经后骨质疏松症）中的一种伴随表现。     

Quantitative computed tomography of the lumbar spine,not dual x-ray absorptiometry,is an independent predictor of prevalent vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteopenia receiving long-term glucocorticoid and hormone-replacement therapy

OBJECTIVE: To determine which measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) predicts vertebral fractures in a cohort of postmenopausal women with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. METHODS: We recruited 114 subjects into the study. All had osteopenia of the lumbar spine or hip, as demonstrated by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and were receiving long-term glucocorticoids and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Measurements of BMD by DXA of the lumbar spine, hip (and subregions), and forearm (and subregions), quantitative computed tomography (QCT) of the spine and hip (n = 59), and radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine were performed on all subjects to assess prevalent vertebral fractures. Vertebral fracture prevalence, as determined by morphometry, required a >or=20% (or >or=4-mm) loss of vertebral body height. Demographic information was obtained by questionnaire. Multiple regression and classification and regression trees (CART) analyses were used to assess predictors of vertebral fracture. RESULTS: Twenty-six percent of the study subjects had prevalent fractures. BMD of the lumbar spine, total hip and hip subregions, as measured by QCT, but only the lumbar spine and total hip, as measured by DXA, were significantly associated with prevalent vertebral fractures. However, only lumbar spine BMD as measured by QCT was a significant predictor of vertebral fractures. CART analysis showed that a BMD value <0.065 gm/cm(3) was associated with a 7-fold higher risk of fracture than a BMD value >or=0.065 gm/cm(3).CONCLUSION: In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis induced by long-term glucocorticoid treatment who are also receiving HRT, BMD of the lumbar spine as measured by QCT, but not DXA, is an independent predictor of vertebral fractures.     

Radiographic measure of aorta calcification is a site-specific predictor of bone loss and fracture risk at the hip

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether aorta calcification (AC) - a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis - is an independent indicator of low bone mass density (BMD), accelerated bone loss, and risk of future fractures in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: A prospective epidemiological study. Follow-up period was 7.5 years. SETTING: Community-based sample followed by a research institute. SUBJECTS: A total of 2662 generally healthy postmenopausal women with a mean age of 65.0 +/- 7.1 years at baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Annual rate of changes in BMD (DEXA) and AC (X-rays), vertebral fractures (X-rays), hip fractures (questionnaire). RESULTS: Advanced AC at baseline was significantly associated with lower BMD and accelerated bone loss from the proximal femur. In a multivariate logistic regression model, age (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2, P = 0.02), body mass index (BMI; OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.8-1.0, P = 0.03) and the severity of AC (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.8, P = 0.03) were independent predictors of hip fractures. Adjusted OR for vertebral fracture was 1.2 (95% CI 1.0-1.5, P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Aorta calcification seems to independently contribute to the development of osteoporosis in the proximal femur. Further studies are needed to clarify whether effective atherosclerosis prevention lowers hip fracture risk.     

Quantitative computed tomography of the lumbar spine,not dual x‐ray absorptiometry,is an independent predictor of prevalent vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteopenia receiving long‐term glucocorticoid and hormone‐replacement therapy

Objective

To determine which measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) predicts vertebral fractures in a cohort of postmenopausal women with glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporosis.

Methods

We recruited 114 subjects into the study. All had osteopenia of the lumbar spine or hip, as demonstrated by dual x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), and were receiving long‐term glucocorticoids and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Measurements of BMD by DXA of the lumbar spine, hip (and subregions), and forearm (and subregions), quantitative computed tomography (QCT) of the spine and hip (n = 59), and radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine were performed on all subjects to assess prevalent vertebral fractures. Vertebral fracture prevalence, as determined by morphometry, required a ≥20% (or ≥4‐mm) loss of vertebral body height. Demographic information was obtained by questionnaire. Multiple regression and classification and regression trees (CART) analyses were used to assess predictors of vertebral fracture.

Results

Twenty‐six percent of the study subjects had prevalent fractures. BMD of the lumbar spine, total hip and hip subregions, as measured by QCT, but only the lumbar spine and total hip, as measured by DXA, were significantly associated with prevalent vertebral fractures. However, only lumbar spine BMD as measured by QCT was a significant predictor of vertebral fractures. CART analysis showed that a BMD value <0.065 gm/cm³ was associated with a 7‐fold higher risk of fracture than a BMD value ≥0.065 gm/cm³.

Conclusion

In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis induced by long‐term glucocorticoid treatment who are also receiving HRT, BMD of the lumbar spine as measured by QCT, but not DXA, is an independent predictor of vertebral fractures.

     

Prevalence of and risk factors for low bone mineral density and vertebral fractures in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of and risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) and vertebral fractures in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We studied 107 SLE patients. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and radiographs of the thoracic and lumbar spine and BMD measurements by dual x-ray absorptiometry were performed. Vertebral deformities were scored according to the method of Genant et al: fractures were defined as a reduction of > or = 20% of the vertebral body height. Osteoporosis was defined as a T score less than -2.5 SD and osteopenia as a T score less than -1.0 SD in at least 1 region of measurement. RESULTS: Osteopenia was present in 39% of the patients and osteoporosis in 4% (93% female; mean age 41.1 years). In multiple regression analysis, low BMD in the spine was associated with a low body mass index (BMI), postmenopausal status, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency. Low BMD in the hip was associated with low BMI and postmenopausal status. At least 1 vertebral fracture was detected in 20% of the patients. Vertebral fractures were associated with ever use of intravenous methylprednisolone and male sex. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for low BMD in SLE patients are low BMI, postmenopausal status, and vitamin D deficiency. While osteoporosis defined as a low T score was found in only 4% of the patients, osteoporotic vertebral fractures were detected in 20%. The high prevalence of low BMD and vertebral fractures implies that more attention must be paid to the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and fractures in SLE.     

Selective estrogen-receptor modulators

Tamoxifen is useful for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer and in some women for the prevention of breast cancer. The risk-benefit ratio in regard to the skeleton and perhaps other organ systems may very well be different for postmenopausal versus premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, tamoxifen (20 mg/d) increased BMD in the spine and perhaps the hip; however, the effect on fracture risk is unclear. Therefore, for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, consideration should be given to the addition of an agent that is shown to have efficacy against fractures (such as bisphosphonates), even while these women are on tamoxifen. For women at only modest or moderate risk, with bone density above the osteoporosis range (T score above -2.5) and no major fracture history, tamoxifen is probably adequate for 5 years of use. Potentially serious adverse effects include venous thromboembolism, uterine cancer, benign uterine disease, and cataracts. Raloxifene (60 mg/d) protects against vertebral fractures over 4 years in women with osteoporosis, produces small increases in bone mass of the spine, hip, and total body, and reduces bone turnover in postmenopausal women with or without osteoporosis. No significant effect has yet been demonstrated on nonvertebral fractures after 4 years of treatment. Raloxifene has the additional benefit of substantially reducing the risk of ER-positive invasive breast cancer and does not increase the risk of uterine disease. Raloxifene increases the risk of venous thromboembolic disease to the same degree as tamoxifen and estrogen. Therefore, SERMS and estrogens are generally contraindicated in women with a previous history of venous thromboembolism or those who are at significantly increased risk. Raloxifene is probably most useful in women who have osteoporosis (T score = -2.5) or who are at risk (T score less than -1.5 with clinical risk factors) in the middle menopausal period (age 55-65) or in the early menopausal period in women who have no significant hot flashes. At this stage in life, vertebral fractures are common, but hip fractures are not. Therefore, women who take raloxifene can expect a reduction in the likelihood of having a vertebral fracture, and possibly breast cancer. The lack of definitive efficacy against hip fracture is not a major deterrent to use of this agent in this age group because hip fracture risk is very low. Raloxifene might not be the treatment of choice for elderly women who are at particularly high risk of hip fracture.     

Kyphosis does not equal vertebral fractures: the Rancho Bernardo study

OBJECTIVES: Kyphosis is considered a clinical sign of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. We examined the association of radiographically defined kyphosis with vertebral fractures to determine if this belief was true. METHODS: A total of 1407 ambulatory white adults, aged 50-96 years, from the middle-class community of Rancho Bernardo, California, USA, attended a 1992-96 research clinic visit. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the hip and spine, and lateral thoracolumbar spine radiographs were obtained. The degree of kyphosis was determined using the modified Cobb method. RESULTS: A total of 114 of 553 men (20.6%) and 188 of 854 women (22.0%) had one or more thoracic vertebral fractures. Degenerative disc disease was observed in 45.4% of men and 56.7% of women. The mean age-adjusted Cobb angle was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in men and women with vertebral fractures in comparison to those without vertebral fractures: men 51.3 degrees vs 41.5 degrees, respectively, and women 56.4 degrees vs 46.3 degrees. The prevalence of vertebral fracture increased with higher Cobb angles and there was no significant difference by sex. The proportion of women with osteoporosis increased with the increase of Cobb angle. In the upper quartile of the Cobb angle distribution (> or = 55.5 degrees ), only 36.2% of men and 36.9% of women had prevalent thoracic vertebral fractures; and osteoporosis using WHO BMD criteria was present at the total hip in 9.7% of men and 32.7% of women. CONCLUSION: The majority of men and women with exaggerated kyphosis (the upper quartile of the Cobb angle) had no evidence of thoracic vertebral fractures or osteoporosis. Degenerative disc disease, not vertebral fractures, was the most common finding associated with radiographically defined angle of kyphosis in men and women. Thus kyphosis per se should not be considered diagnostic of osteoporosis. Nevertheless, patients with exaggerated kyphosis should be evaluated for underlying osteoporotic fracture.     

Treating osteoporosis to prevent fractures: current concepts and future developments

Antiresorptive drugs, such as the bisphosphonates and the RANKL inhibitor denosumab, are currently the most widely used osteoporosis medications. These drugs increase bone mineral density (BMD) and reduce the risk of vertebral (by 40–70%), nonvertebral (by 25–40%) and hip fractures (by 40–53%) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Due to the risk of rare side‐effects, the use of bisphosphonates has been limited to up to 10 years with oral bisphosphonates and 6 years with intravenous zoledronic acid. Despite their well‐proven efficacy and safety, few women at high risk of fracture are started on treatment. Case finding strategies, such as fracture risk‐based screening in primary care using the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) and Fracture Liaison Services, have proved effective in increasing treatment rates and reducing fracture rates. Recently, anabolic therapy with teriparatide was demonstrated to be superior to the bisphosphonate risedronate in preventing vertebral and clinical fractures in postmenopausal women with vertebral fracture. Treatment with the sclerostin antibody romosozumab increases BMD more profoundly and rapidly than alendronate and is also superior to alendronate in reducing the risk of vertebral and nonvertebral fracture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. For patients with severe osteoporosis and high fracture risk, bisphosphonates alone are unlikely to be able to provide long‐term protection against fracture and restore BMD. For those patients, sequential treatment, starting with a bone‐building drug (e.g. teriparatide), followed by an antiresorptive, will likely provide better long‐term fracture prevention and should be the golden standard of future osteoporosis treatment.     

Which is the better choice, estrogen or SERMs in postmenopausal women?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases the bone mineral density (BMD) and reduces the risk of vertebral and hip fractures in postmenopausal women. But, long term HRT slightly increases the risk of breast cancer. Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that has estrogen agonist effects in the skeleton and cardiovascular system and estrogen antagonist effects in the uterus and breast. Raloxifene effectively prevents bone loss and significantly, increases lumbar spine, hip, and total body bone mineral density, raloxifene reduces the risk of vertebral fracture. Raloxifene treatment leads to no increase in vaginal bleeding or mastaigia and to greater than 70% reduction in risk for invasive breast cancer. But raloxifene increases the hot flashes in postmenopausal women. In conclusion, HRT is optimal therapy for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women with menopausal symptoms, raloxifene is optimal therapy for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women without menopausal symptoms.