Atrial natriuretic peptide in children with idiopathic hypercalciuria

We measured plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels in 30 children with idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) and 19 normal controls (NC). A calcium (Ca) loading test was performed in all patients to determine the type of IH. Subsequently plasma ANP, cAMP and renin activity (PRA), serum total and ionized Ca, intact parathyroid hormone, aldosterone, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D as well as urine Ca, cAMP, and electrolytes were determined in all subjects. The mean (SD) plasma ANP levels were significantly lower in patients with renal hypercalciuria (RH) [21.4 (4.8) pg/ml] than in those with absorptive hypercalciuria (AH) [26.8 (7.6) pg/ml, P<0.05] and NC [27.6 (6.6) pg/ml, P<0.01]. PRA was significantly lower in AH [2.9 (1.3) ng/ml per hour] than in RH patients [7.8 (6.8) ng/ml per hour, P<0.01] and in NC [6.8 (4.6) ng/ml per hour, P<0.005]. Serum aldosterone values were significantly lower in AH [14.5 (11.4) ng/dl] than in RH patients [25.4 (14.1) ng/dl, P<0.05] and in NC [32.6 (20.5), P<0.001]. The lower plasma ANP levels in RH than in AH patients and in NC may be due to Ca depletion. The lower PRA and serum aldosterone levels in AH than in RH patients and in NC may be attributed to Ca excess. Received: 18 November 1998 / Revised: 4 October 1999 / Accepted: 5 October 1999     

Effects of Gestational Age, Maternal Diabetes, and Intrauterine Growth Retardation on Markers of Fetal Bone Turnover in Amniotic Fluid

Little is known about the dynamics of bone formation and bone resorption in utero, particularly the normal changes that occur throughout gestation and in clinical situations that result in low bone mass at birth. The objectives of this study were to describe the effects of gestational age on markers of fetal bone turnover, and to investigate whether the reported low bone mass at birth in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants and infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) was associated with biochemical markers of decreased bone formation or increased bone resorption in utero. Bone formation and resorption were assessed by measurement of carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP) and cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), respectively, in 201 amniotic fluid samples. These markers are by-products of type I collagen formation and degradation, respectively, and have been used in the assessment of bone metabolism ex utero. Both PICP and ICTP concentrations in amniotic fluid were inversely associated with gestational age (P < 0.0001). Amniotic fluid concentrations of PICP increased exponentially in relation to infant birthweight (P= 0.008), and SGA infants had lower amniotic fluid PICP concentrations than controls (P= 0.07). The presence of diabetes in the mother was not associated with alterations in amniotic fluid PICP or ICTP concentrations. Although maturational effects on clearance of bone markers from amniotic fluid cannot be excluded, these data are consistent with a high turnover of bone matrix early in fetal life, and a reduction in bone formation when fetal growth is compromised.     

Evaluation of Functional Nerve Recovery Shows that Allogeneic Nerve Graft Treated with ICAM-1 and LFA-1 mAbs can be Good Alternative to Syngeneic Graft

Summary  The objective of the study is to establish recovery results of tibial nerve defects reconstructed using allogeneic and xenogeneic graft, in host immunosuppressed with Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and Lymphocyte Function Antigen-1 (LFA-1) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). A pilot study was conducted in fifteen Fischer rats by forming a 1 cm right tibial nerve gap, then reconstructing it with 1.2 cm long grafts, namely, Wistar allogeneic, Black mouse xenogeneic, and syngeneic (n=5/group). The main study included forty-eight rats allocated to the following groups (n=12/group): 1) Allograft without treatment as control group. 2) Allograft with intraperitoneal ICAM-1 and LFA-1 mAbs treatment. 3) Allograft preserved in Belzers' solution including ICAM-1 mAbs plus standard intraperitoneal treatment. 4) Syngraft as benchmark. At 3, 6 and 9 weeks postengraftment walking track analysis was performed and expressed as Tibial Functional Index (TFI). Motor and compound nerve action potential across the graft conduction velocities were measured at week 10. Xenograft did not show any functional recovery and was therefore excluded from main study. However, pilot and main study results showed recovery results in both treated allogeneic groups and were comparable to benchmark syngraft. Therefore, allogeneic nerve graft could be an alternative in peripheral nerve reconstruction and spinal cord grafting.     

Effects of Risedronate Treatment on Bone Density and Vertebral Fracture in Patients on Corticosteroid Therapy

Men and women (n = 518) receiving moderate-to-high doses of corticosteroids were enrolled in two studies with similar protocols and randomly assigned to receive either placebo or risedronate (2.5 or 5 mg) for 1 year. All patients received daily calcium supplementation (500–1000 mg), and most also received supplemental vitamin D (400 IU). The primary endpoint was the difference between the placebo and active groups in lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) at 1 year; changes in BMD at other sites, biochemical markers of bone turnover, and the incidence of vertebral fractures were also assessed. In the overall population, the mean (SE) lumbar spine BMD increased 1.9 ± 0.38% from baseline in the risedronate 5 mg group (P < 0.001) and decreased 1.0 ± 0.4% in the placebo group (P= 0.005). BMD at the femoral neck, trochanter, and distal radius increased or was maintained with risedronate 5 mg treatment, but decreased in the placebo group. Midshaft radius BMD did not change significantly in either treatment group. The difference in BMD between the risedronate 5 mg and placebo groups was significant at all skeletal sites (P < 0.05) except the midshaft radius at 1 year. The 2.5 mg dose also had a positive effect on BMD, although of a lesser magnitude than that seen with risedronate 5 mg. A significant reduction of 70% in vertebral fracture risk was observed in the risedronate 5 mg group compared with the placebo group (P= 0.01). Risedronate was efficacious in both men and women, irrespective of underlying disease and duration of corticosteroid therapy, and had a favorable safety profile, with a similar incidence of upper gastrointestinal adverse events in the placebo and active treatment groups. Daily treatment with risedronate 5 mg significantly increases BMD and decreases vertebral fracture risk in patients receiving moderate-to-high doses of corticosteroid therapy. Received: 11 October 1999 / Accepted: 1 May 2000 / Online publication: 27 July 2000     

Intermittent Oral Disodium Pamidronate in Established Osteoporosis: A 2 Year Double-Masked Placebo-Controlled Study of Efficacy and Safety

The effect of oral pamidronate on bone mineral density and its adverse effect profile was investigated by a double-masked placebo-controlled study of 122 patients aged 55–75 years with established vertebral osteoporosis. Patients on active therapy received disodium pamidronate 300 mg/day (group A) for 4 weeks every 16 weeks, 150 mg/day (group B) for 4 weeks every 8 weeks or placebo (group C). All patients additionally received 500 mg of calcium and 400 IU vitamin D daily. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements of the spine, hip, forearm and total body were performed at baseline and 6-monthly for 2 years using a Hologic QDR 1000 device at two sites. Serum osteocalcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline were measured at the above visits and at 3 months. The percentage change (SEM) in spine bone mineral density (BMD) at 2 years based on intention-to-treat analysis was 4.64 (1.01) in group A, 6.10 (0.87) in group B and 1.13 (1.32) in group C. Analysis of variance showed significant increases in group A and B compared with placebo (p<0.01). There were also significant rises in femoral neck BMD for group A (p = 0.005), trochanter BMD for groups A and B (p<0.01) and total-body BMD for groups A and B (p<0.001). There was a significant reduction in serum osteocalcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline for groups A and B (p<0.01). There was an excess of gastrointestinal side-effects in the treated groups, particularly group A. We conclude that intermittent pamidronate therapy can prevent bone loss at both the lumbar spine and femoral neck in patients with established vertebral osteoporosis, although due to gastrointestinal side-effects the 300 mg dose in particular does not appear suitable for clinical usage. Received: 12 January 1999 / Accepted: 30 August 1999     

The effect of amnio-allantoic fluid pH on the intestines: an experimental study in the chick embryo gastroschisis model

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Prolonged exposure to amniotic fluid causes the intestinal changes such as serosal edema, thickening, fibrous coating, and adhesions in gastroschisis. The effect of amnio-allantoic fluid (AAF) pH on intestines was evaluated using a chick embryo gastroschisis model. METHODS: Seventy fertile eggs were divided into 5 groups: preliminary study (PS, n = 20), AAF control (AAC, n = 10), just gastroschisis (JG, n = 10), gastroschisis pretreated with placebo (GPP, n = 15), and gastroschisis pretreated with sodium bicarbonate (GPS, n = 15). The PS group was also divided into 2 subgroups to determine the biochemical differences between the amniotic and the allantoic fluid. Gastroschisis was created surgically at the 14th day of incubation. In GPS group, 8.4% NaHCO(3) solution (0.1 mL/100 mg/d) was instilled into the AAF for 4 days. RESULTS: A significant decrease in intestinal damage was observed both macroscopically and microscopically in the group GPS compared with the JG and GPP groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with alkalization of AAF prevented intestinal damage because of gastroschisis. Alkalization could be a simple alternative for pretreatment with amniotic fluid exchange for human fetuses with gastroschisis.     

Proximal Femoral Dimension in Elderly Chinese Women with Hip Fractures in Taiwan

To investigate the relationship between proximal femoral geometry and the occurrence of hip fracture, we compared the geometry of contralateral normal hips of 120 elderly Chinese women with hip fractures, including 63 femoral neck fractures (group A) and 57 intertrochanteric fractures (group B) due to minor trauma, with that of 72 normal elderly Chinese women (group C). The mean ages for group A, B and C subjects were 77.3, 79.7 and 72.9 years, respectively. The femoral neck length (NL), neck width (NW), diameter of femoral head, femoral shaft width just below the lesser trochanter, and neck–shaft angle (θ) were measured on the anteroposterior plain pelvic radiographs. The mean ± SD of NL for group A was 50.4 ± 3.3 mm; for group B, 50.6 ± 3.1 mm; and for group C, 48.8 ± 3.6 mm. Statistical analysis by ANOCOVA and regression showed that only NL of women with hip fractures was significantly longer than controls after correction for age, body height and weight (p <0.01). However, the difference in NL between group A and group B was not significant. By linear regression, the probability of fracture increased only with older age (p <0.001), longer NL (p <0.005) and lighter body weight (p <0.05). By logistic regression, each standard deviation increase in NL increased the risk of hip fracture (age-adjusted odds ratio 1.84; 95% CI, 1.11–3.06). The results confirm the relationship between proximal femoral geometry and the occurrence of hip fracture in elderly Chinese women in Taiwan. Received: 7 August 1998 / Accepted: 6 January 1999     

Stable Control of Physiological Parameters,But Not Infection,in Preterm Lambs Maintained on Ex Vivo Uterine Environment Therapy

Ex vivo uterine environment (EVE) therapy is an experimental neonatal intensive care strategy wherein gas exchange is performed by membranous oxygenators attached to the umbilical vessels. Our aim was to assess the ability of a newly refined EVE system to maintain key physiological parameters in preterm lambs within optimal ranges for 48 h. EVE group; n = 6: Preterm lambs were delivered under general anesthesia at 115 ± 2 days of gestational age. Animals were submerged in a bath of artificial amniotic fluid on EVE therapy for 48 h. Physiological parameters were monitored in real‐time over the length of the experiment. Control group; n = 11: Ewes carrying a single fetus (115 ± 2 days of gestational age) underwent recovery surgery to allow placement of a fetal carotid artery catheter. Fetuses received an infusion of sterile saline only. After euthanasia, EVE and Control group fetuses underwent necroscopy to perform static pressure–volume curves and for sampling of lung and cord blood plasma for molecular analyses. Five out of six fetuses in the EVE group completed the study period with key physiological variables remaining within their respective reference ranges for the duration of the 48 h study. Bacteremia was identified in four out of five EVE fetuses, and was associated with a systemic inflammatory response. Using our refined EVE therapy platform, preterm lambs were maintained in a stable physiological condition for 48 h. These findings represent a significant advance over earlier work with this system; however, the identification of bacteremia and a fetal inflammatory response suggests that further refinement to the EVE therapy platform is required.     

Geographic Differences in Bone Turnover: Data from a Multinational Study in Healthy Postmenopausal Women

Biochemical markers of bone metabolism (bone markers) are used increasingly to monitor response to therapy and may be predictors of bone loss and fractures. The relationship between fracture rates, which differ between countries, and the rate of bone turnover has not been examined. Therefore, we explored the geographic variability of bone turnover in a selected, healthy study population of 619 postmenopausal women, ages 40–61, participating in a clinical trial of raloxifene hydrochloride for osteoporosis prevention. The subjects were distributed among 38 investigative sites in 10 countries (9–211 subjects/country) on four continents (North America, n = 277, Europe, n = 168, Australia, n = 125, and Africa, n = 49). Specimens for serum osteocalcin (OC), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), and urine type I collagen fragment/urinary creatinine ratio (CTX) were handled in a uniform fashion and assayed in a central laboratory. Mean levels of OC (P < 0.001), BSAP (P= 0.006), and CTX (P < 0.001) varied significantly by country (ANOVA), with the lowest values typically in German and Spanish subjects and the highest in American and Canadian subjects. The consistent pattern and wide ranges of mean bone marker values (OC 1.6-fold, BSAP 1.7-fold, CTX 3.1-fold) between countries suggest clinically significant differences in bone turnover. Geographic differences in bone markers were not explained by the determined potential confounders of age, years posthysterectomy, total serum cholesterol, and serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). We conclude that bone marker values vary substantially by country in this selected study population, suggesting systematic geographic differences in bone metabolism that potentially relate to osteoporotic fracture rates. Received: 28 November 1997 / Accepted: 23 March 1998     

Intrauterine tracheal obstruction, a new treatment for congenital diaphragmatic hernia, decreases amniotic fluid sodium and chloride concentrations in the fetal lamb.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of fetal tracheal occlusion on sodium and chloride concentrations in amniotic and tracheal fluid. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Intrauterine tracheal occlusion has been proposed to reverse pulmonary hypoplasia, an important prognostic factor in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. In early human trials, technical failure of the obstructive device has been reported. METHODS: Eight fetal lambs (gestational age = 95 days) were subjected to fetal tracheoscopy, and amniotic and tracheal fluid samples were taken. In multiple pregnancies (n = 6), amniotic fluid was also sampled from the contralateral amniotic sac and used as a control. Subsequently, endotracheal obstruction, using a detachable balloon, was performed. After 14 days, all fetuses were delivered, and sodium and chloride concentrations in amniotic and tracheal fluid were measured again. Statistical analysis was done using a two-tailed Student's t test, paired or unpaired as appropriate. RESULTS: In controls, between 95 and 109 days gestational age, no significant changes occurred in sodium or chloride concentrations in amniotic or tracheal fluid. After 2 weeks of tracheal obstruction, however, chloride and sodium concentrations in amniotic fluid decreased (chloride = 76.7 mEq/L vs. 107.6 mEq/L, p = 0.0003; sodium = 109.6 mEq/L vs. 125.9 +/- 5.2 mEq/L, p = 0.019). A concomitant increase in chloride and sodium concentration was observed in tracheal fluid (chloride = 145.4 mEq/L vs. 130.0 mEq/L, p = 0.047; sodium = 153.1 mEq/L vs. 142.9 mEq/L, p = 0.051). When comparing groups at 109 days, chloride and sodium concentrations in amniotic fluid were markedly lower in the treated group versus controls (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.05 for chloride and sodium, respectively). CONCLUSION: Complete tracheal occlusion in ovine fetuses results in a significant decrease of amniotic fluid sodium and chloride concentrations.     

High Bone Turnover is Associated with Low Bone Mass and Spinal Fracture in Postmenopausal Women

A group of 366 healthy, white postmenopausal women, aged 50–81 years, mean age 66 years, were selected from the screened population of Scandinavians who were part of a multicenter study of the efficacy of tiludronate, a new bisphosphonate, in established postmenopausal osteoporosis. Eighty-eight women had a lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) above 0.860 g/cm², and 278 women had a BMD below 0.860 g/cm². Spinal fracture was diagnosed from lateral spine X-ray studies and defined as at least 20% height reduction (wedge, compression, or endplate fracture) in at least one vertebra (T4–L4). Bone resorption was assessed by measurement of the urinary excretion of type I collagen degradation products by the CrossLaps™ enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Bone formation was assessed by ELISA measurement of the N-terminal-mid-fragment as well as the intact serum osteocalcin (OC_N-MID), thus omitting the influence of the instability of osteocalcin caused by the labile 6 amino acid C-terminal sequence. The women were divided into groups with high or low bone turnover according to the concentrations of urinary CrossLaps™ or OC_N-MID. Women in the quartiles with the highest concentrations of CrossLaps [519 ± 119 μg/mmol (SD)] or OC_N-MID [44.6 ± 7.5 ng/ml (SD)] had 10–16% lower spinal BMD compared with women in the lowest quartiles (CrossLaps 170 ± 48 μg/mmol (SD), and OC_N-MID [22.1 ± 3.0 ng/ml (SD)] (P < 0.0004). The prevalences of spinal fracture were 25 to 29% in the lowest quartiles, whereas the prevalences in the highest quartiles were almost double—53–54% (P < 0.006). If the women were subgrouped according to spinal BMD and prevalence of spinal fracture, corresponding results were found. Women with a BMD less than 0.860 g/cm², without or with spinal fracture (n = 136 and n = 142), had 36–43% higher concentration of CrossLaps (P= 0.0001) and 11–15% higher concentration of OC_N-MID (P < 0.02), as compared with women with a BMD above 0.860 g/cm² and no spinal fracture (n = 84). In conclusion, the results indicate a strong association among high bone turnover, low bone mass, and prevalence of spinal fracture, which supports the theory that high bone turnover is a risk factor for spinal fracture and osteoporosis. Received: 29 February 1996 / Accepted: 9 August 1996     

Conversion of External Fixation to Definitive Intramedullary Nailing in Experimental Tibial Fractures

ABSTRACT

Background and Purpose: Initial treatment with external fixation of tibial fractures is indicated in severely injuried multitrauma patients. A conversion procedure to secondary nailing is often performed later to enhance fracture repair. The aim of the study was to compare definitive treatment of experimental tibial fractures with external fixation to an early conversion to secondary intramedullary nailing with large and small diameter nails. Methods: Thirty male rats were subject to a standardized tibial shaft osteotomy initially stabilized with external fixation. On day 7, they were assigned to either the control group (group A, N = 10) or conversion to secondary nailing with a small (group B, N = 10) or large diameter nails (group C, N = 10). Evaluation at 60 days included radiography, dual energy radiographic absorptiometry (DXA), and mechanical bending testing. Results: All fractures healed radiographically with bridging of the fracture line and more or less visible periosteal callus formation. Group B demonstrated significantly increased mineralization and callus formation measured as DXA parameters, bone mineral content (BMC), and callus area (CA) compared to both the other two groups. This group also tended to have mechanically stronger bones with higher fracture energy compared to both the other two groups, but no significant difference in mechanical prioperties between the groups was found in our study. Interpretation: In conclusion, we found that conversion from external fixation of leg fractures in rats to intramedullary nailing did not improve bone healing significantly supporting external fixation as definitive fracture management.     

Assessment of a New Quantitative Ultrasound Calcaneus Measurement: Precision and Discrimination of Hip Fractures in Elderly Women Compared with Dual X-ray Absorptiometry

The incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture increases in postmenopausal women with low hip bone mineral density (BMD). Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the most commonly used technique for the assessment of bone status and provides good measurement precision. However, DXA affords little information about bone architecture. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) systems have been developed to evaluate bone status for assessment of fracture risk. Our study was designed to assess a new QUS system from Hologic, the Sahara; to compare it with a previous model, the Walker-Sonix UBA 575+; and to investigate whether it is able to discriminate between women with and without fracture. Using both ultrasound devices, the measurements were performed at the heels of 33 postmenopausal women who had recently sustained hip fracture. A control group of 35 age-matched postmenopausal women was recruited for comparison. The total, neck and trochanter femoral BMD values were assessed using DXA for both groups. QUS and DXA measurements were significantly lower in fractured patients (p<0.005) than in the control group. The short-term, mid-term and standardized short-term precisions were used to evaluate the reproducibility of the two QUS systems. The Sahara showed a better standardized coefficient of variation for broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) than did the UBA 575+ (p<0.001). The correlation of BUA and speed of sound (SOS) between the two QUS devices was highly significant, with an r value of 0.92 for BUA and 0.91 for SOS. However, the correlation between DXA and ultrasound parameters ranged from 0.28 to 0.44. We found that ultrasound measurements at the heel were significant discriminators of hip fractures with odds ratios (OR) ranging from 2.7 to 3.2. Even after adjusting the logistic regressions for total, neck or trochanter femoral BMD, QUS variables were still significant independent discriminators of hip fracture. The areas under the ROC curves of each ultrasound parameter ranged from 0.75 to 0.78, and compared very well with femoral neck BMD (p>0.05). In conclusion, our study indicated that the calcaneal QUS variables, as measured by the Sahara system can discriminate hip fracture patients equally as well as hip DXA. Received: 29 October 1999 / Accepted: 7 September 1999     

Lifestyle Determinants of Bone Mineral: A Comparison Between Prepubertal Asian- and Caucasian-Canadian Boys and Girls

The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in lifestyle and morphometric factors that affect bone mineral and the attainment of peak bone mass in 168 healthy Asian (n = 58) and Caucasian (n = 110) Canadian, prepubertal girls and boys (mean age 8.9 ± 0.7) living in close geographical proximity. DXA (Hologic 4500) scans of the proximal femur (with regions), lumbar spine, and total body (TB) were acquired. We report areal bone mineral densities (aBMD g/cm²) at all sites and estimated volumetric density (νBMD, g/cm³) at the femoral neck. Dietary calcium, physical activity, and maturity were estimated by questionnaire. Of these prepubertal children, all of the boys and 89% of the girls were Tanner stage 1. A 2 × 2 ANOVA demonstrated no difference between ethnicities for height, weight, body fat, or bone mineral free lean mass. Asian children consumed significantly less dietary calcium (35%) on average and were significantly less active (15%) than their Caucasian counterparts (P < 0.001). There were significant ethnicity main effects for femoral neck bone mineral content (BMC) and αBMD (both P < 0.001) and significant sex by ethnicity interactions (P < 0.01). The Asian boys had significantly lower femoral neck BMC (11%), aBMD (8%), and νBMD (4.4%). At the femoral neck, BMFL mass, sex, and physical activity explained 37% of the total variance in aBMD (P < 0.05). In summary, this study demonstrated differences in modifiable lifestyle factors and femoral neck bone mineral between Asian and Caucasian boys. Received: 21 July 1998 / Accepted: 30 September 1999     

The Effect of Vitamin K and D Supplementation on Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss

This study was designed to assess the effect of vitamin K and D supplementation on ovariectomy-induced bone loss. Female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8–9 months were ovariectomized (OVX) or sham operated and divided into five experimental groups: (1) ovariectomy (OVX), (2) OVX plus vitamin K supplementation, (3) OVX plus vitamin D supplementation, (4) OVX plus vitamin K and vitamin D supplementation, and (5) sham operation. The trabecular bone area was estimated by bone histomorphometry by microradiography and histological examination. Bone loss in OVX plus vitamin K and vitamin D group was significantly reduced at both 7 and 14 weeks compared with the OVX group. No significant bone loss in OVX plus vitamin K or OVX plus vitamin D groups was found. A similar effect of vitamin K and D supplementation on ovariectomy-induced bone loss was recognized in histological examination. Our findings indicate that vitamins K and D may have a synergistic effect on reducing bone loss. This is valuable information for the treatment of bone loss in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Received: 1 September 1998 / Accepted: 10 January 1999     

Relationship Between Mortality and BMI After Fracture: A Population‐Based Study of Men and Women Aged ≥40 Years

Fractures in obese older individuals contribute significantly to the overall burden on primary health care, but data on their impact on mortality are lacking. We studied the association between obesity and mortality following hip and nonhip clinical fractures in a retrospective, population‐based cohort study. The Sistema d'Informació pel Desenvolupament de la Investigació en Atenció Primària (SIDIAP^Q) database contains primary care computerized medical records of a representative sample of >2.1 million people (35% of the population) in Catalonia (Spain), linked to hospital admissions data. We included in this analysis anyone aged 40 years and older suffering a hip or nonhip clinical fracture in 2007 to 2009 in the SIDIAP^Q database. The main exposure was the most recent body mass index (BMI) measured before fracture, categorized as underweight (<18.5 kg/m²), normal (18.5 to <25 kg/m²), overweight (25 to <30 kg/m²), and obese (≥30 kg/m²). Furthermore, the study outcome was all‐cause mortality in 2007 to 2009 as provided to SIDIAP^Q by the National Office of Statistics. Time to death after fracture was modeled using Cox regression. Multivariate models were adjusted for age, gender, smoking, alcohol intake, oral glucocorticoid use, and Charlson comorbidity index. Within the study period, 6988 and 29,372 subjects with a hip or nonhip clinical fracture were identified and followed for a median (interquartile range) of 1.17 (0.53–2.02) and 1.36 (0.65–2.15) years, respectively. Compared to subjects of normal weight, adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality in overweight and obese subjects were 0.74 (95% CI, 0.62–0.88; p = 0.001) and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.60–0.91; p = 0.004) after hip and 0.50 (95% CI, 0.32–0.77; p = 0.002), 0.56 (95% CI, 0.36–0.87; p = 0.010) after nonhip fracture. In conclusion, the highest mortality was observed in individuals with low BMI, but compared to subjects of normal weight, obese and overweight individuals survived longer following fracture. The latter observation is consistent with data reported in other chronic conditions, but the reasons for reduced mortality in obese and overweight subjects when compared to those of normal weight require further research. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Quantitative Ultrasound and Symptomatic Vertebral Fracture Risk in Chinese Women

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is emerging as a simple, inexpensive and noninvasive method for assessing bone quality and assessing fracture risk. We assessed the usefulness of a contact calcaneal ultrasonometer by studying normal premenopausal women (group I, n= 53), normal postmenopausal women (group II, n= 198), and osteoporotic women without (group III, n= 141) and with vertebral fractures (group IV, n= 53). The osteoporotic subjects had a T-score of the spine or hip neck bone mineral density (BMD) <−2.5 based on the local Chinese peak young mean values. When compared with postmenopausal controls, mean broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), speed of sound (SOS), and quantitative ultrasound index (QUI) were 26%, 2.1% and 25% lower in women with vertebral fractures (p all <0.005). The correlation coefficients between QUS parameters and BMD of the spine and hip ranged between 0.4 and 0.5. The ability of the QUS to discriminate between patients groups was determined based on the mean value of normal premenopausal women in group I. The mean T-score for women with fractures was −2.87 ± 1.02 for BUA, −2.54 ± 0.79 for SOS, −3.17 ± 0.70 for QUI, −2.65 ± 0.86 for L2–4 BMD and −2.53 ± 0.66 for hip neck BMD. After adjustment for age and body mass index, the odds ratio of vertebral fracture was 1.71 (95% CI 1.2–2.6) for each 1 SD reduction in BUA, 2.72 (1.3–5.3) for SOS, 2.58 (1.4–4.6) for QUI, 2.33 (1.6–3.3) for L2–4 BMD, 2.09 (1.37–3.20) for femoral neck BMD and 1.88 (1.34–2.92) for total hip BMD. The association between the QUS parameters and vertebral fracture risk persisted even adjustment for BMD. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for BUA for vertebral fracture was 0.92, for SOS, QUI, L2–4 BMD and femoral neck BMD was 0.95, and for total hip was 0.91. Received: 7 January 1999 / Accepted: 18 May 1999     

产前超声联合MRI诊断胎儿先天性食管闭锁

目的探讨产前超声联合MRI对胎儿先天性食管闭锁(CEA)的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析31胎经引产后尸体解剖或出生后手术及影像学检查证实的CEA胎儿(CEA组)的产前超声及MRI资料,并与31胎产后正常胎儿(正常对照组)进行对照。以病理结果为金标准,分析产前超声联合MRI诊断胎儿CEA的阳性率。比较2组间产前超声指标胎儿双顶径(BPD)、头围(HC)、腹围(AC)、股骨长(FL)、羊水深度(AFD)、羊水指数(AFI)、胎盘厚度、脐动脉峰谷比(S/D)、胎儿吞咽指数及估算胎儿体质量(EFW)的差异。结果产前超声联合MRI诊断胎儿CEA的阳性率为67.74%(21/31)。CEA组胎儿HC、AC、吞咽指数、EFW均低于正常对照组(P均0.05),S/D、AFI均高于对照组(P均0.05);2组间BPD、FL、AFD、胎盘厚度差异均无统计学意义(P均0.05)。结论产前超声无法直接诊断胎儿CEA,当发现胃泡持续72h不显示(间隔72h复查)或羊水过多时,结合MRI对产前诊断胎儿CEA具有一定价值。产前超声指标中,胎儿HC、AC、AFI、S/D、吞咽指数、EFW可能对CEA具有一定提示作用。     

Impact of hematological diagnosis on early and late outcome after laparoscopic splenectomyrid=""

Background: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is now regarded as the treatment of choice for autoimmune thrombopenia (ITP). However, there have been few reports describing the application of LS to other splenic diseases, such as malignant entities and conditions associated with splenomegaly. Hematological diseases have specific clinical features that can influence immediate outcome after LS. Although the long-term effects of LS are unknown, a risk of splenosis has been suggested. Therefore, we designed a study to analyze the impact of primary hematological disease on immediate and late outcome in a prospective series of LS patients. Methods: We performed a prospective analysis of 111 LS done between February 1993 and March 1999. The patients were classified by hematological indications into the following four groups: (a) group 1, low platelet count. This group was further subdivided into group 1A, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (n= 48) and group 1B, HIV-related ITP (n= 8); (b) group 2, anemia. This group was further subdivided into group 2A, autoimmune hemolytic anemia (n= 8), and group 2B, spherocytosis (n= 11); (c) group 3, malignancy (n= 28); and (d) group 4, others (n= 8). Immediate outcomes were recorded prospectively. Hematological status and late complications were reviewed after a mean follow-up of 24 ± 18 months. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of conversion, transfusion requirements, and morbidity, although transfusion and morbidity were slightly higher in group 3. However, hospital stay was significantly longer in groups 3 and 4 than in groups 1 and 2. Long-term follow-up showed satisfactory hematological results in ≥75% of patients (group 1A, 82%; group 1B, 88%; group 2A, 88%; group 2B, 100%; group 3, 75%; group 4, 88%). Overall, late morbidity was 8.3% and mortality was 6.2%, mainly due to deaths in group 4 (six of 22 patients). Conclusion: LS is a safe and reproducible procedure for most hematological indications, with a similar immediate outcome for benign diseases and a long-term hematological response comparable to the standard results that have been observed in open series. Received: 1 April 1999/Accepted: 22 November 1999/Online publication: 8 May 2000     

Do Men and Women Fracture Bones at Similar Bone Densities?

When the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for the definition of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women were identified similar proposals were not developed for men as there was insufficient evidence about the relationship between bone density and fracture in men. We have therefore examined the relationship between bone density and vertebral fracture in men and women attending for assessment of possible osteoporosis. Two hundred and sixty-four women (age 64 [SD 10] years) and 37 men (age 55 [10] years) were studied. Bone density was measured in the lumbar spine and femoral neck by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and expressed both as bone mineral density (BMD; g/cm²) and as T-scores. In both sexes there was a sigmoid relationship between the cumulative frequency of vertebral fracture and bone density at both sites. There was a linear relationship between the log odds of fracture and bone mass for both sexes and both sites (r= 0.97–0.99; p<0.0001). The slope of these lines was significantly steeper for men than women. The BMD at which there was 50% risk of fracture was higher in men than women (0.908 vs 0.844 g/cm²). The difference between the slopes was similar when the bone mass was expressed as a T-score. However, the T-score associated with 50% prevalence of fracture was similar in the two sexes (F: −2.77 vs M: −2.60). We conclude that although there is a different relationship between bone density and fracture in the two sexes the current WHO definition of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women can be appropriately applied to men. Received: 24 February 1999 / Accepted: 12 July 1999