The role of quantitative ultrasound in predicting osteoporosis defined by dual X-ray absorptiometry

The aim of this study was to establish whether quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters could identify patients classified as osteoporotic and osteopenic on the basis of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). One hundred and twenty-three patients (39 male, 84 female) with osteoporosis and suspected of having osteoporosis were included in this study. Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) were measured and bone mineral densities (BMD) of the lumbar spine and left hip was measured by DEXA. Subjects were classified into three groups (normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic) on the basis of BMD T-scores measured by DEXA. QUS parameters of the osteoporotic group were significantly lower than those of osteopenic and normal groups; there was no difference in QUS parameters between the normal and osteopenic groups. Correlations of both right and left SOS and BUA with the spine and femoral neck BMD were moderate (r = 0.343-0.539, P < 0.001). There was also reasonable correlation between DEXA and QUS T-scores (r = 0.364-0.510, P < 0.001). QUS had a sensitivity of 21% and a specificity of 95% for diagnosing osteoporosis. We concluded that, although DEXA and QUS parameters were significantly correlated, QUS parameters can not predict osteopenia as defined by DEXA, and sensitivities and specificities of QUS parameters were not sufficiently high for QUS to be used as an alternative to DEXA.     

定量计算机体层扫描检测肾病患者骨质变化的临床意义

目的：观察不同时期不同年龄段肾脏病患者的骨代谢及骨密度（BMD）和BMD与PTH、ALP,SCr,BUN,CCr,β2-M,TP,Alb,Ca^2 ,P^3-,Hb,HCT等的相关性。方法：正常对照组（A组）30例,肾脏疾病肾功能正常组（B组）30例,肾功能异常非透析组（C组）30例,透析组（D组）30例。采用定量CT（QCT）法测腰椎（L1－L4）的BMD,采用放射免疫法测血全段甲状旁腺素（i-PTH)和β2-M,并测SCr,BUN,TP,Alb,Ca^2 ,P^3-,ALP,Hb,HCT。结果：（1）A组41－50岁,51－60岁年龄段的i-PTH较＜40年龄段明显升高（P＜0．05）;ALP在三个年龄段随年龄逐渐升高,但无明显差别（P＞0．05）;BMD在三个年龄段逐渐降低（P＜0．05）;（2）＜40岁,41－50岁,51－60岁三个年龄段i-PTH:B,C,D组较A组均有非常显著升高（P＜0．01）;ALP：B,C,D组较A组均有显著升高（P＜0．05）,且C,D组分别较B组均有显著升高（P＜0．05）;BMD：B组较A组下降无显著性差异（P＞0．05）,C、D两组分别较A、B两组均有显著下降（P＜0．05）;（3）B组其BMD与CCr,Alb正相关（P＜0．05）,与SCr,BUN,β2－M负相关（P＜0．05）,与PTH,ALT,TP,Ca^2 ,P^3-,Hb,HCT不相关（P＞0．05）。C组其BMD与CCr,Alb正相关（P＜0．05）,与PTH,SCr,BUN,β2－M负相关（P＜0．05）,与ALP,TP,Ca^2 ,P^3-,Hb,HCT不相关（P＞0．05）。D组其BMD与Alb,Hb,HCT正相关（P＜0．05）,与PTH负相关（P＜0．05）,与SCr,BUN,CCr,β2－M,ALP,TP,Ca^2 ,aP^3-不相关（P＞0．05）。结论：肾脏病患者存在骨代谢异常和BMD下降,且BMD与肾功能呈负相关,与营养状态呈正相关。     

Imaging assessment of bone quality in osteoporosis

Noninvasive and/or nondestructive techniques can provide structural information about bone beyond simple bone densitometry. Although bone densitometry provides important information about osteoporotic fracture risk, many studies indicate that bone mineral density only partly explains bone strength. Quantitative assessment of macrostructural characteristics, such as geometry, and microstructural features, such as relative trabecular volume, trabecular spacing, and connectivity, may improve the ability to estimate bone strength. Methods for quantitatively assessing macrostructure include (besides conventional radiographs) dualenergy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and computed tomography (CT), particularly volumetric quantitative computed tomography (vQCT). Methods for assessing microstructure of trabecular bone noninvasively and/or nondestructively include high-resolution computed tomography (hrCT), microcomputed tomography (μCT), high-resolution magnetic resonance (hrMR), and micromagnetic resonance μMR. Volumetric QCT, hrCT, and hrMR are generally applicable in vivo; μCT and μMR are principally applicable in vitro. Despite progress, problems remain. The important balances between spatial resolution and sampling size, or between signal-to-noise and radiation dose or acquisition time, need further consideration, as do the complexity and expense of the methods vs their availability and accessibility. Clinically, the challenges for bone imaging include balancing the advantages of simple bone densitometry vs the more complex architectural features of bone or the deeper research requirements vs the broader clinical needs. The biological differences between the peripheral appendicular skeleton and the central axial skeleton must be further addressed. Finally, the relative merits of these sophisticated imaging techniques must be weighed with respect to their applications as diagnostic procedures, requiring high accuracy or reliability, vs their monitoring applications requiring high precision or reproducibility.     

定量CT测量强直性脊柱炎患者髋臼骨密度

目的探讨定量CT（QCT）测量成年男性强直性脊柱炎（AS）患者髋臼骨密度（BMD）的价值,研究此类患者髋臼骨量变化。方法选取25例经临床确诊的成年男性AS患者为志愿者,年龄20-44岁,平均（28.6±7.1）岁。分别行双侧髋关节（50个）双能X线吸收仪（DXA）和QCT检查。按照全髋部DXA测定结果,将Z值≤-2.0S的27个髋关节设为试验组,Z值〉-2.0S的23个髋关节设为对照组,比较2组髋臼坐骨体、耻骨体和髂骨体BMD的差异。结果试验组耻骨体、坐骨体BMD值分别为（71.965±35.695）、（87.093±38.413）mg/cm^3,显著低于对照组的（110.526±62.466）、（121.883±39.380）mg/cm^3,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,试验组髂骨体BMD（156.822±41.472）mg/cm^3与对照组（177.948±55.804）mg/cm^3差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;AS患者髋臼髂骨体BMD均显著高于坐骨体和耻骨体BMD（均P〈0.05）;AS患者坐骨体和耻骨体BMD差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论QCT可敏感地反映髋臼不同部位BMD变化。AS患者髋臼的坐骨体、耻骨体较髂骨体更易出现骨密度减低。     

Quantitative ultrasound of the proximal phalanges and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in Crohn's disease patients with osteopenia

Background: Osteopenia and osteoporosis are frequent complications in Crohn's disease, and these features are associated with an increased risk of vertebral and appendicular fractures. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements are widely accepted to assess the fracture risk in postmenopausal osteoporosis. In recent years, quantitative ultrasound (QUS) has become attractive for the diagnosis of osteopenia as a nonionizing method. The aim of the present study was to investigate QUS and BMD measurements in osteopenic patients with Crohn's disease. Methods: BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck and QUS of proximal phalanges II-V (DBM Sonic 1200; IGEA) were performed prospectively in 171 patients with Crohn's disease. The amplitude-dependent sound-of-speed (AD-SoS) and the ultrasound bone profile score (UBPS) were calculated using the WinSonic PRO 1.1 software program. X-ray examination of the spine was performed in 131 patients. Vertebral deformity was morphometrically defined according to the published methods of McCloskey and Eastell. Results: BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck correlated significantly (r = 0.62), but no correlation between BMD and QUS could be demonstrated. Vertebral deformities (VD) were detected in 28/131 (21.4%) patients. Two patients had a history of femoral fracture (FF). Lumbar BMD was lower in patients with either VD or FF than in those patients with no preexisting fractures (T-score: −2.46 vs −2.04; P = 0.0233). QUS parameters correlated negatively to patients' age but could not be used to discriminate between patients with and without VD/FF. Conclusions: Osteoporosis-related fractures are associated with a low lumbar bone density in Crohn's disease patients. QUS of the proximal phalanges cannot detect manifest osteoporosis in Crohn's disease patients and is therefore not valuable as a screening tool for these patients. Received: January 10, 2002 / Accepted: August 30, 2002 Acknowledgments. Morphometry of vertebral radiographs was supported by the Osteoporosis Study Group of the Clinic for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Klinikum Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany. Reprint requests to: C. von Tirpitz     

Comparison of DXA, QCT and trabecular structure in beta-thalassaemia

Osteopathy, as a major feature of homozygous beta-thalassaemia, is a multifactorial disorder, not fully understood. We studied the lumbar vertebrae of 48 patients using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT), and we focused on structural properties, assessed by High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT). Bone Mineral Density (BMD) values were expressed as Z-scores and the results were correlated. The effect of age, sex, and type of thalassaemia and hormonal factors on BMD was assessed. We estimated, with HRCT, the cortex integrity and the number and thickness of trabeculae; the latter were classified to a three-grade scale. Our results showed the overall prevalence of osteoporosis to be 44% with DXA and 6% with QCT. Both techniques revealed an inverse correlation between age and BMD, whereas hormonal factors demonstrated associations with QCT and DXA measurements. The correlation coefficient between DXA's BMD and QCT's trabecular BMD was 0.545 (P < 0.001) whereas the corresponding value for Z-scores was r = 0.491 (P < 0.001). The classification of the patients into normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic categories, using QCT's Z, was in better agreement with the assignment based on trabecular number (K = 0.209, P = 0.053) than the classification using DXA's Z (K = 0.145, P = 0.120). Cortex evaluation by HRCT showed discontinuity in 15 patients. Both methods indicate a progression of osteoporosis with age. Hormonal deficiency is associated with thalassaemic osteoporosis whereas the visual estimation of cortex indicates that Thalassaemia Intermedia (TI) patients could be more affected than Thalassaemia Major (TM). Using the trabecular number as an indicator of osteoporosis, it seems that QCT may evaluate osteopathy better than DXA. Since the former has the ability to measure trabecular and cortical BMD separately, it could give early indication of which changes more rapidly and to what degree.     

跟骨定量超声骨强度在骨质疏松筛查和诊断中的价值

目的 在社区人群中进行跟骨定量超声法(QUS)骨强度(STI)与双能X线吸收法(DXA)腰椎和髋部骨密度(BMD)测量的临床对比,探讨QUS在骨质疏松筛查和诊断中的临床应用价值.方法 在上海长风社区对6 105例45岁以上常住户籍居民,采用DXA测定腰椎1～4、双侧髋部BMD值,同时采用QUS测定右侧跟骨STI值,分析两者的相关性,以DXA为金标准评价QUS测定STI在骨质疏松筛查和诊断中的灵敏度、特异度和诊断一致率.结果 DXA和QUS诊断的骨量减少、骨质疏松的患病率分别为38.82％、10.29％和64.50％、4.49％.STI与腰椎、左侧和右侧髋部BMD相关系数分别为0.536、0.574和0.570(P值均＜0.001).与DXA相比,QUS筛查骨量异常(骨量减少和骨质疏松)的灵敏度为86.16％、特异度为47.57％,诊断骨质疏松的灵敏度为23.57％、特异度为97.70％.结论 QUS测定STI与DXA测定BMD有较好的相关性和一致性,QUS筛查骨量异常的高灵敏度和诊断骨质疏松的高特异度使之成为值得在基层医疗机构推广使用的骨质疏松筛查和诊断工具.     

Quantitative ultrasound is better correlated with bone mineral density and biochemical bone markers in elderly women

The association between quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and bone turnover in postmenopausal women of different ages is an area of continuous investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of ultrasound parameters [broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS)] to bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone turnover in three age groups of postmenopausal women. One hundred and twenty-three postmenopausal Caucasian women were divided into three groups according to their age: group A, range 44–54 years, mean age (±SD) 48.3 ± 2.3; group B, range 55–65 years, mean age 59.4 ± 2.1; and group C, range 66–77 years, mean age 68.2 ± 3.1. Ultrasound parameters were measured by the DTU-one imaging ultrasonometer in the calcaneus. BMD was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and trochanter. Bone turnover was assessed by serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), urinary excretion of free deoxypyridinoline, N-telopeptides (NTX), and C-telopeptide breakdown products of type I collagen (CTX). QUS and BMD were significantly correlated in all sites, except hip BMD in group A. The most significant correlation was observed between BUA and femoral neck BMD in group C (r = 0.626, p < 0.01). BUA correlated significantly with BAP, NTX, and CTX (r = −0.434, −0.511, −0.478, respectively; p < 0.01), and SOS with BAP and NTX (r = −0.351 and −0.356, respectively; p < 0.05) only in group C. In groups A and B, ultrasound parameters did not correlate significantly to biochemical markers. Ultrasound parameters were better correlated to hip BMD and to biochemical markers of bone turnover in elderly postmenopausal women. These ultrasound measurements could be used as a screening test for bone status, either in nonambulatory third aged women or in those living in rural areas where attending medical centers with DEXA equipment and biochemical laboratories is difficult.     

Clinical challenges in the management of osteoporosis

While knowledge regarding the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis has expanded dramatically over the last few years, gaps in knowledge still exist with guidance lacking on the appropriate management of several common clinical scenarios. This article uses fictional clinical scenarios to help answer three challenging questions commonly encountered in clinical practice. The first clinical challenge is when to initiate drug therapy in a patient with low bone density. It is estimated that 34 million America have low bone density and are at a higher risk for low trauma fractures. Limitations of using bone mineral density alone for drug therapy decisions, absolute risk assessment and evidence for the cost-effectiveness of therapy in this population are presented. The second clinical challenge is the prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency. Appropriate definitions for vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency, the populations at risk for low vitamin, potential consequences of low vitamin D, and how to manage a patient with low vitamin D are reviewed. The third clinical challenge is how to manage a patient receiving drug therapy for osteoporosis who has been deemed a potential treatment failure. How to define treatment failure, common causes of treatment failure, and the approach to the management of a patient who is not responding to appropriate osteoporosis therapy are discussed.     

定量CT测量髋关节骨密度的重复性与DXA测量的一致性

目的 探讨定量CT（QCT）髋关节骨密度（BMD）测量重复性及与双能X线骨密度测定仪（DXA）测量的一致性.方法 随机抽取28名（男10例,女18例）老年受试者（男性＞60岁,女性＞50岁）,并分别采用QCT与DXA测量髋关节骨密度.收集左侧髋关节QCT扫描CT原始数据,分别由3名操作者各测量1次,其中1名操作者在不同时间重复测量3次,用于评价QCT髋关节骨密度结果的重复性.比较QCT和DXA测量左侧髋关节骨密度结果.结果 3名不同操作者或同一操作者不同时间采用QCT测量28名受试者左侧髋关节的骨密度值之间具有很好的相关性（ICC：0.93～0.98,P＜0.01）,全髋骨密度值之间差异无统计学意义.DXA与QCT测量的股骨颈和全髋骨密度结果之间具有显著相关性（r=0.88,0.89,P＜0.01）,DXA测量的骨密度值较QCT相对应骨密度值大10.5%和9.7%（t=7.53,9.68,P＜0.01）.上述骨密度值系统误差可被校正.结论采用QCT测量髋关节BMD具有较好的重复性,其BMD值与DXA所测BMD结果具有相关性.QCT髋关节（CTXA）骨密度测量可用于骨质疏松症的诊断和疗效随访,具有临床应用前景.     

Early Increase of Bone Resorption in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Secondary to Viral Hepatitis

Bone loss is an established complication of cholestatic liver cirrhosis, while little is known about bone mass and metabolism in noncholestatic liver cirrhosis. The aim of the present study is, therefore, to evaluate bone mass and mineral metabolism in patients with liver cirrhosis secondary to viral hepatitis. Bone mineral density measurement at lumbar and femoral levels and the evaluation of bone and mineral metabolism and gonadal function were performed in 31 patients with liver cirrhosis and 37 healthy volunteers. Lumbar and femoral bone mineral density values were significantly lower in patients than in healthy volunteers. Prevalence and severity of bone loss increased according to the severity of liver disease. All serum indices of bone and mineral metabolism and of gonadal function showed a similar behavior, but a significant increase of bone resorption was present in all Child-Pugh classes. In particular, class A patients showed normal mean bone mineral density values but increased serum levels of the telopeptide of type I collagen. Liver cirrhosis predisposes to bone loss regardless of the presence of cholestasis. The severity of metabolic osteopathy worsens as liver function does. The underlying mechanism is represented by an increased bone resorption.     

前臂骨骨密度测定诊断骨质疏松标准的研究

目的探讨女性前臂骨骨量的年龄分布规律,为建立周围骨骨密度的骨质疏松诊断标准积累数据。方法采用美国NORLAND-Stratec周围型双能X线骨矿测量仪(pDXA)测量了452名20～79岁女性健康志愿者非优势侧前臂远端桡骨和尺骨(distal radius+ulna)、近端桡骨和尺骨(proximal radius+ulna)以及近端桡骨(proximal radius)的BMD值,以问卷调查方法收集研究对象的一般情况,分析前臂骨不同测量部位BMD变化的年龄分布规律。结果前臂骨不同测量部位的BMD数据均符合正态分布规律。健康女性峰值骨密度出现在40～44岁年龄段,此后随年龄增加而下降,在50～59岁和70岁以上年龄段出现快速骨丢失,尤其是前臂远端骨丢失速率较快,55～59岁年龄段女性骨累积丢失率达25%,与DXA测定中轴骨的骨量丢失规律一致。前臂远端桡+尺骨的骨质疏松(OP)检出率较高,是围绝经期妇女OP检出的敏感部位。50～54岁年龄段女性低骨量发生率为57.6%,骨质疏松的发生率为25.8%(以低于PBM-2.0s为诊断标准)和12.1%(以低于PBM-2.5s为诊断标准);55～59岁年龄段女性低骨量发生率上升至80.9%,骨质疏松的发生率上升至50.0%和30.9%。60岁以后,低骨量和骨质疏松发生率的增加速度趋缓,但70岁以后低骨量和骨质疏松的发生率再次上升。结论前臂骨骼BMD测定可以作为骨质疏松高危人群筛查的有效工具。将前臂远端桡+尺骨为BMD主要检测部位,以低于PBM-2.0s为骨质疏松诊断标准,是筛查骨质疏松人群和评估干预措施较适宜的标准。     

老年2型糖尿病发生骨质疏松的临床多因素分析

目的 探讨老年2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者发生骨质疏松的影响因素. 方法 根据患者的骨密度值将患者分为骨量正常(NOP)组、低骨量(LBMD)组、骨质疏松(OP)组,对比3组在年龄、糖尿病病程、体质量指数(BMI)、胱抑素C(Cys C)、经皮氧分压检查(TcPO2)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、尿C肽(U-CP)等指标之间的差异,并进行相关性分析. 结果 (1)与NOP组相比,LBMD及OP组年龄、病程显著性升高,U-CP显著性下降;(2)OP组BMI、Cys C显著低于NOP组;(3)OP组年龄显著高于LBMD组,而BMI显著低于LBMD组(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).老年T2DM患者的BMD与年龄、病程呈负相关,与BMI、U-CP呈正相关.逐步多元回归分析显示U-CP是BMD的正性预测因子. 结论 老年T2DM患者并发骨质疏松与多因素有关,包括高龄、低体质量、病程长、胰岛功能差等.     

The effect of magnetic therapy and moderate aerobic exercise on osteoporotic patients: A randomized clinical study

Background:Osteoporosis is a frequent musculoskeletal condition with significant complications that would be a global health problem and one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity.Objectives:The current study aimed to ascertain the impact of pulsed magnetic therapy, aerobic exercise, and a combination of both modalities on osteoporotic female patients postthyroidectomy.Methods:Between May 2018 and September 2019, 45 female patients with osteoporosis were included in the randomized clinical study, their age ranged from 40 to 50 years, had thyroidectomy for at least 6 months ago, and had an inactive lifestyle for at least the previous 6 months. Patients were assigned randomly into 3 equal groups. Group A (magnetic therapy group): received routine medical treatment (bisphosphonates, calcium, and vitamin D) in addition to pulsed magnetic therapy on the hip region for 12 weeks (3 sessions/week). Group B (exercise group): received routine medical treatment plus moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for 12 weeks (3 sessions/week). Group C (combined magnetic therapy and exercise therapy group): received routine medical treatment plus pulsed magnetic therapy and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for 12 weeks (3 sessions/week). The 3 groups were assessed for bone mineral density (BMD) at baseline by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and after 12 weeks of treatment.Results:The results showed that within-group analysis a statistically significant increase was reveled (P < .05) for BMD in the 3 studied groups. Comparing the results among the 3 tested groups revealed a significant increase (P < .05) in posttesting mean values of BMD in group (C) compared to group (A) and group (B). No significant statistical difference in BMD means values between the 2 groups (A) and (B) after testing was detected.Conclusion:Combination of both pulsed magnetic therapy and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise showed significant improvement in BMD at the hip region than using any of the 2 modalities alone.     

Impaired bone formation and osteoporosis in postmenopausal elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis patients

Introduction

Bone metabolism may be uncoupled in postmenopausal rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Osteoporotic fracture in RA is highest for the hip especially in elderly women.

Aim of the work

To detect the bone mineral density (BMD) and markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal RA patients and study the influence of age at disease onset. Correlation with clinical and laboratory manifestations and disease activity were considered.

Patients and methods

Sixty postmenopausal RA patients were recruited into two groups, group I: 30 elderly onset (EORA) and group II: 30 young onset (YORA) patients. Thirty age and sex matched healthy subjects served as control. Full history taking, clinical examination, relevant investigations including calcium, phosphorus, total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (OC), and N-terminal cross-linked telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX) were measured and BMD assessed by DEXA in all patients and control. Disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS-28) was calculated.

Results

The NTX was remarkably increased and the BMD decreased in RA patients. Osteocalcin in RA was 3.87 ± 1.15 ng/ml being obviously lower in EORA patients compared to YORA and control. In EORA, a significant correlation was present between the ALP and OC (r 0.41, p 0.025) and the NTX and BALP (r 0.46, p 0.011) and a negative correlation between the hip BMD and DAS-28 (r −0.43, p 0.019).

Conclusion

Impaired bone formation and uncoupling of bone turnover are more evident in postmenopausal EORA patients which form a risk predictor of fracture hip in this subgroup of patients.     

唑来膦酸钠治疗老年严重骨质疏松症的临床试验

目的探讨唑来膦酸钠治疗老年严重骨质疏松症的临床效果。方法临床收集老年严重骨质疏松症患者120例,随机分为治疗组（60例,平均67．6岁）,给予钙尔奇＋阿法D3＋唑来膦酸钠;对照组（60例,平均66．4岁）,给予钙尔奇＋阿法D3。对两组患者治疗前与治疗2周以后疼痛程度进行评判;测定治疗前和治疗12个月后两组患者髋部及腰椎骨密度;检测治疗前后血钙、磷、碱性磷酸酶（AKP）水平;治疗过程中观察药物不良反应情况。结果排除治疗中3例脱落患者后,治疗组（57例）骨痛缓解快,骨密度改善程度也明显优于对照组（53例）（P〈0．05）。治疗组AKP较治疗前明显下降【（95．2±11．2）VS（147．3±16．1）IU／L;P〈0．05]。两组血钙、血磷及对照组AKP治疗前后无明显改变（P〉0．05）。结论唑来膦酸钠能显著缓解严重骨质疏松症患者骨痛,提高骨密度。     

Poor correlations between measurements of bone quality by quantitative ultrasound sonography and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in patients with beta-thalassaemia major

Objectives: Osteopenia/osteoporosis is a major component of morbidity even in young patients with β‐thalassaemia major. Dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the reference method for determining bone mineral density (BMD). Quantitative ultrasound sonography (QUS) for bone measurement is a relatively new, inexpensive and radiation‐free method that could serve as an alternative to DXA. Our aim was to assess bone status in thalassaemic patients both with QUS and DXA and, consequently, to investigate the degree of correlation between the two methods. Methods: Thirty‐three patients (15 male and 18 female) with β‐thalassaemia major, regularly transfused and systematically iron‐chelated, participated in the study. Mean age was 22.0 ± 8.0 yr (range: 6.5–41.0 yr). All patients were evaluated with QUS at radius and tibia and had DXA scan at lumbar spine vertebrae (L2–L4), whereas 20 patients were additionally assessed with DXA at the left hip (femoral neck, trochanter region and Ward’s triangle). Results: Results were expressed as Z‐scores compared with sex‐ and age‐matched population. Lowest mean Z‐scores measured with DXA were recorded at lumbar spine and Ward’s triangle (?1.1 ± 1.13 and ?0.95 ± 1.07, respectively). Lowest mean QUS‐derived Z‐scores were measured at radius, statistically significant compared with Z‐scores measured at tibia (?0.6 ± 1.1 vs. 0.4 ± 1.1, P < 0.001). QUS measurements at radius were significantly correlated to QUS measurements at tibia (r = 0.51, P = 0.002). The latter were correlated to BMD measured at lumbar spine (r = 0.516, P = 0.002) and at trochanter region (r = 0.646, P = 0.003). All BMD measurements at hip were significantly correlated to each other. Lumbar spine BMD was correlated to BMD at femoral neck (r = 0.607, P = 0.003) and to BMD at Ward’s triangle (r = 0.438, P = 0.027). Finally, no agreement was recorded between the two methods in identifying thalassaemic patients at risk for osteoporosis (κ = 0.203, P = 0.04). Conclusion: Quantitative ultrasound sonography could not serve as an alternate to DXA.     

老年肺栓塞的螺旋CT肺动脉造影诊断研究

目的探讨螺旋CT肺动脉造影在老年肺动脉栓塞(PE)诊断中的临床应用价值。方法采用螺旋CT对66例老年PE患者行肺动脉增强扫描,其中多层、单层螺旋CT(MSCT,SCT)肺动脉造影检查者各为21和45例。结果分析66例老年PE患者的2728支肺动脉,MSCT、SCT肺动脉造影共显示926支肺动脉受累。直接征象为中心型充盈缺损、部分型充盈缺损、完全性阻塞、附壁性充盈缺损,约占33.9%;1206支段以上肺动脉中,依据直接征象MSCT、SCT分别检出240支/384支(62.5%)和481支/822支(58.5%),共721支/1206支,两者检出率无明显差别(P=0.037);1522支亚段肺动脉中,MSCT、SCT分别检出121支/484支(25.0%)和84支/1038支(8.1%),共205支/1522支,前者检出率明显高于后者(P=0.632)。平扫示间接征象共125例次。结论MSCT、SCT对段以上PE的诊断二者均有较高的准确度,MSCT对亚段PE的诊断有其优势。     

Osteoporosis in men

Male osteoporosis is an increasingly important public health problem: from age 50 onward, one in three osteoporotic fractures occurs in men and fracture-related morbidity and mortality are even higher than in women. In 50% of osteoporotic men, an underlying cause can be identified (secondary osteoporosis). In the absence of an identifiable etiology, male osteoporosis is referred to as 'idiopathic osteoporosis' in men aged 30-70 years and as 'age-related osteoporosis' in older men. As in women, estrogen, not testosterone, appears the most important sex steroid regulating male skeletal status. Diagnosis and treatment recommendations are still largely based on bone mineral density (BMD), with osteoporosis defined as a T-score of 2.5 standard deviations below young adult values. However, there is ongoing discussion as to whether male or female reference ranges should be used and, like in women, treatment decisions are increasingly based on absolute fracture risk estimations rather than on BMD alone. In men, evidence-based data on the efficacy of pharmacologic interventions in reducing fracture risk are convincing but not conclusive. In particular, bisphosphonates and teriparatide seem to be as effective in men as in women.