ABSTRACTS P-185 to P-235

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

 

Posters will be on display throughout the symposium, but will be attended by their presenting authors as follows:

Odd numbers on Friday 11:00 - 12:00, Sunday 11:00 - 12:00 and Monday 10:00 - 11:00
Even numbers on Saturday 11:00 - 12:00, Sunday 11:00 - 12:00 and Monday 10:00 - 11:00

 

Osteoporosis: Evaluation and Treatment

P-185

OSTEOPOROSIS: MISSED OPPORTUNITIES IN AN IMPORTANT TARGET GROUP

M. G. Smith*, P. Dunkow, D. M. Lang

South Manchester University Hospital NHS Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK

Introduction: All patients seen in a hospital fracture clinic with an osteoporotic fracture should be advised of the diagnosis of osteoporosis and their primary care team informed of the need for follow-up. We undertook a retrospective study to assess the percentage of patients with an osteoporotic distal radial fracture that had any subsequent investigation or treatment for osteoporosis.

Methods: All patients over 50 years old who sustained a distal radial fracture after a simple fall, and a subsequent fractured neck of femur were identified over a 7-year period. Evidence of any treatment for, or investigation of, osteoporosis between the initial radial fracture and subsequent neck of femur fracture was recorded.

Results: 74 patients met the above criteria: 7 male and 67 female, median age 83 (54 to 99). Eight percent of cases were on treatment for osteoporosis at time of their osteoporotic wrist fracture. A further 8% had evidence of treatment for, or investigation of, osteoporosis commenced by time of their femoral neck fracture. 84% of patients received no advice, investigation or treatment.

Discussion and Conclusion: As orthopaedic surgeons we have a duty to inform the primary care team of the need to follow-up patients with osteoporotic fractures. There is a significant reduction in patient morbidity and mortality, and cost benefit to health service providers when osteoporosis is treated in target groups. Significant efforts need to be made to increase the percentage of patients that receive investigation of, or treatment for osteoporosis following an osteoporotic distal radial fracture.

[Programme]

 
P-186

SOYBEAN ISOFLAVONES AND RALOXIFEN IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH BONE MASS LOSS

M. A. Bazarra-Castro1*, A. Bazarra-Fernández2

1University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain

2University of La Coruña. Health Sciences Dept., Spain

Statement of purpose: Determining if there are differences in using soybean isoflavones and raloxifen on bone mass loss in postmenopausal women.

Statement of method: we studied for 20 months 24 women who were 45 to 62 years old at base line, were within 1 and 10 years of menopause, and had a bone mineral density at the lumbar spine between 150 mg/cc and 50 mg/cc measured by the QBMAP system with a spiral CT Picker PQ-S densitometer at L2, L3, L4 and L5. Of all women, 12 were assigned to therapy with soybean isoflavones 80 mg and 12 were treated with raloxifene HCL 60 mg. The SPSS programme was used for statistical analysis.

Summary of results: The characteristics of the women recruited for both groups were similar. Mean mineral bone density at the lumbar spine was between 1 and 3 DS below the mean value for 30 years old normal premenopausal women. After a treatment statistically significant difference was found among the groups as bone mineral density at the lumbar spine.

Conclusions: It is necessary to carry out a wider study but it seems that raloxifene HCL contribute advantages versus isoflavones therapy to decrease the bone mass loss in postmenopausal women at least at lumbar spine.

[Programme]

 
P-187

BONE MINERAL DENSITY AND NEW GEOMETRY PARAMETERS ASSESSMENT IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

T. O. Chernova

Endocrinology Research Center, Moscow, Russia

During the past decades the implementation of bone densitometry in clinical practice made it possible to assess BMD in health and disease and to monitor the treatment. The new modalities of assessment of upper neck regions and AHA appeared in densitometry practise.

PURPOSES: 1) To assess the clinical value of dual-femur acquisition in comparison with single-femur acquisition and the clinical value of spine densitometry in cases of bone deformities; 2) To assess the perspectives of upper neck regions and AHA in clinical practice.

METHODS: About 9000 patients were examined over the period of 6 years. We assessed all parameters of BMD and body composition using DEXA (Lunar Expert XL, USA). 2.500 patients were assessed using the new densitometer Prodigy Oracle (Lunar GE, USA).

CONCLUSIONS: 1) There were clinically insignificant differences between dominant and non-dominant proximal femur DEXA results. Dual-femur assessment is very important in special cases of problems with one femur or spine deformities and in cases of early diagnostics of osteopenia among risk population. The obtained data show that in cases of kyphosis, scoliosis, etc the spine acquisition has no clinical significance and is not acceptable for the therapy monitoring; 2) Upper neck region is very informative and BMD in this region is lowest, as in case of Wards region, 3) Body composition is a perspective research in the assessment and therapy monitoring of obesity along with the possible future implementation in the research of aging, insulin resistance and meno- and andropause treatment. 4) The implementation of new AHA determination is extremely interesting and its significance has to be determined.

[Programme]

 
P-188

HOW TO IMPROVE THE BONE STRENGTHENING EFFECT OF EXERCISE

C. H. Turner*, I. Alam, S. Tanaka

School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, USA

Stochastic resonance, in which noise enhances the response of a nonlinear system to a weak signal, has been observed in various biological sensory systems. We speculated that bone formation in response to mechanical loading could be enhanced by adding noise (vibration) to a standard exercise regimen. To test this hypothesis, three different loading regimens were applied to the ulnae of mice: (1) high amplitude, low frequency sinusoidal loading at 2 Hz with an amplitude of 3 N to simulate exercise; (2) low amplitude, broad frequency vibration with frequency components 0- 50 Hz and 0.3 N of mean amplitude; (3) the sinusoidal wave combined with vibration (S+V) to invoke stochastic resonance. The simulated exercise regimen induced new bone formation on the periosteal surface of the ulna, however the addition of vibration noise with exercise enhanced the osteogenic response by almost 4-fold. Vibration by itself had no effect on bone formation. It was concluded that adding low magnitude vibration greatly enhanced bone formation in response to loading, suggesting a contribution of stochastic resonance in the osteogenic response. These findings demonstrate that the bone strengthening effects of exercises can be improved substantially if vibration is added to the exercise regimen.

[Programme]

 
P-189

SKELETAL CALCIUM/PHOSPHORUS RATIO AS A DIAGNOSTIC INDEX FOR BONE DISORDERS

M. Tzaphlidou

School of Medicine,University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

Although the major elements in bone are calcium and phosphorus, most chemical measurements of the skeleton are optimized for detecting calcium. Usually, measurements for calcium or phosphorus are performed independently. The calcium/phosphorus ratio is not often calculated.

In vitro measurements for calcium and phosphorus concentrations were performed in intact cortical and trabecular bone samples from the femoral neck and iliac crest of healthy women aged from 15 to 55 years. For these measurements neutron activation analysis was used. Calcium/phosphorus ratios were calculated by using the mean concentration values found in calcium and phosphorus separately. In all cases, the standard deviation and coefficient of variation for calcium/phosphorus ratio was lower than those for calcium and phosphorus separately. This points to a specificity for the calcium/phosphorus ratio which is better than those of calcium and phosphorus concentrations and this ratio may be therefore provide greater reliability for diagnosis of bone disorders than the calcium and phosphorus values.

In vivo, neutron activation estimation of calcium in bone needs high radiation doses while for phosphorus there is only a theoretical possibility. Nowadays, we can measure bone calcium/phosphorus ratio in vivo by X-ray absorptiometry. The calcium/phosphorus ratio of the right radius was measured in 20 osteoporotic females, aged 56 to 72 years. The diagnosis of osteoporosis was based on clinical findings. A mean calcium/phosphorus ratio of 1.29 was found. This ratio was significantly lower (p<0.01) than that of 1.71 from 50 normal adult females, aged 44 to 68 years. The coefficient of variation for the in vivo measurements was 2.3%.

Up to now the most common way to evaluate the risk of fracture upon osteoporosis was based on the assessment of bone mineral density by dual X-ray absorptiometry. However, recent reports indicate that the data obtained by this method are not sufficiently accurate. In this respect, bone calcium/phosphorus ratio can be used as a clinical indicator.

[Programme]

 
P-190

TWO-YEAR TREATMENT WITH RALOXIFENE PLUS CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D3 SUPPLEMENTATION CONTRIBUTES TO INCREASED BONE MINERALIZATION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH OSTEOPOROSIS

G. Boivin1*, K. D. Harper2, S. Sarkar2, K. V. Pinette2, P. Lips3, S. M. Ott4, P. J. Meunier1

1INSERM Unite 403, Lyon, France

2Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

3Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

4University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

The selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) raloxifene has been shown to increase BMD and reduce the risk of vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (Delmas, JCEM 2002). In this study, we report the results of the first prospective longitudinal study to evaluate the mean degree of mineralization of bone (MDMB) in a subpopulation of patients enrolled in the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) trial who had consented to participate in the biopsy study (Ott, JBMR 2002). Patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: placebo (n=24), raloxifene 60 mg/day (RLX60, n=22) or raloxifene 120 mg/day (RLX120, n=18), and all patients received calcium (500 mg) and vitamin D3 (400-600 IU) supplementation for the duration of the study. Iliac crest biopsies were taken at baseline (prior to the initiation of the study) and following two years of treatment.

Quantitative microradiography (Boivin & Meunier, CTI 2002) was used to analyze the biopsy specimens, revealing a mean percent increase in MDMB following treatment with RLX60 of 7.6%, 6.5% and 7.0% for cortical, trabecular and total (cortical + trabecular) bone respectively, compared to baseline. A similar increase in

MDMB was observed following treatment with RLX120. However, the numerical increases in MDMB following raloxifene treatment were not found to be significantly different from the calcium and vitamin D3 supplemented placebo group. The mean percent increase in MDMB for the placebo group was 4.9%, 5.4% and 5.0% for cortical, trabecular and total bone respectively, compared to baseline. When compared to placebo, raloxifene treatment shifted the sample distribution to higher values of mineralization. RLX60 increased the mineral content of cortical, trabecular and total bone by 36%, 16%, and 29% respectively. Estimated increases in mineral content were determined using an ANCOVA model adjusted for differences in baseline mineralization. There are data to support that the increase in distribution to higher levels of MDMB, and the overall percent increase in MDMB compared to baseline following RLX treatment, closely resembles the degree of mineralization of physiologic premenopausal bone.

[Programme]

 
P-191

CORRECTING FOREARM BONE MINERAL DENSITY MEASUREMENT FOR AGE AND WEIGHT INCREASES ITS VALIDITY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF OSTEOPOROSIS

D. Picard*, J. P. Brown, M. Couturier, L. Rosenthall, J. Lévesque, M. Dumont, L-G. Ste-Marie, A. Tenenhouse, S. Dodin

Quebec Osteoporosis Study Group, Canada

Peripheral bone mineral density (BMD) measurement by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has already been shown as an accurate method for the diagnosis of osteoporosis, especially in distant areas, where central DXA is not available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the increased ability of peripheral BMD to predict central BMD after being corrected for two clinical factors that can affect bone mass, age and weight.

We determined BMD of the spine (s), femoral neck (fn) (1 Hologic, 3 Lunar), as well as proximal (pfa) and distal forearm (dfa) with Norland pDXA in 831 women aged 20 to 85 years. The sBMD and fnBMD were converted to a Hologic base and t- score were then derived using data from the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos). Regression analyses were then applied on the gold t-score (the lowest between s and fn) where age, weight and subsequently the forearm t-scores were retained as the main predictors. Forearm t-scores were then corrected according to the regression formula obtained. The performance of forearm DXA and corrected forearm DXA as a diagnostic test for osteoporosis was evaluated by ROC curves where a positive case was defined as a t-score <= -2.5 either on s or fn. The optimal cutoff points were selected on the basis of highest sensitivity and specificity. Results are presented in the table below.The main improvement of correcting the forearm t-scores is observed through a reduction of the false positives by 13% and 23% respectively for pfa and dfa. Furthermore, most of the false positives are in fact osteopenics as only 7 and 4 respectively for pfa and dfa present a central t-score > -1. Hence, this study suggests that correcting forearm t-scores for age and weight, improves their validity in the diagnosis of osteoporosis, especially through a substantial reduction of the proportion of subjects falsely identified as osteoporotics.

 

 

 

Optimal T-score

Sensitivity (%)

Specificity (%)

False positives (n)

False negatives (n)

Non-corrected pfa

-2.00

84

79

156

17

Corrected pfa

-1.844

86

81

136

15

Non-corrected dfa

-1.40

90

75

183

11

Corrected dfa

-1.949

91

81

141

10

 

[Programme]

 
P-192

LS BMD INCREASE ACCOUNTS FOR ONLY A FRACTION OF THE VERTEBRAL FRACTURE REDUCTION AT 1 YEAR: RESULTS FROM THE VERT AND HIP TRIALS OF RISEDRONATE

N. B. Watts1*, T. D. Johnson2, Z. Li2, C. Kasibhatla2

1University of Cincinnati Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center, Cincinnati, USA

2Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Mason, USA

The objective of this analysis was to establish and quantify the relationship between changes in LS BMD and vertebral fracture risk in a population of osteoporotic women taking risedronate.

The analysis included patients from the VERT and HIP studies, who were enrolled either on the basis of low LS BMD (T-score < -2.0) and at least one prevalent vertebral fracture (VERT-NA) or two prevalent vertebral fractures (VERT-MN) or FN T-score < -4 or -3 with at least one nonskeletal risk factor for hip fracture (HIP studies). Patients were randomized to receive either placebo or risedronate 2.5 mg or 5 mg daily. In addition patients also received 1000 mg/day calcium supplementation and vitamin D, if baseline levels were low. The Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the overall treatment effect and the treatment effect explained by LS BMD at 1 year. Only patients who had a post-baseline BMD measurement prior to 1 year and a known fracture status were included in the analysis. There were 70 patients who had an incident vertebral fracture, out of a total of 1739. The overall risk reduction over 1 year is 60% (CI: 54-65). The proportion of fracture risk reduction explained by LS BMD increase over 1 year was estimated to be 7%.

In conclusion this analysis showed that LS BMD increase only weakly contributes to vertebral fracture risk reduction at 1 year.

[Programme]

 
P-193

TWO YEAR VERTEBRAL FRACTURE RISK REDUCTION WITH RISEDRONATE 35 MG ONCE-A-WEEK

N. B. Watts1*, R. Lindsay2, Z. Li3, C. Kasibhatla3, J. Brown4

1University of Cincinnati Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center, Cincinnati, USA

2Regional Bone Center, Helen Hayes Hospital, West Haverstraw, USA

3Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Mason, USA

4Centre de Recherche du CHUQ, Quebec, Canada

A large active-controlled clinical trial demonstrated the non-inferiority of the once- a-week dose form of risedronate compared to the daily dose at 1 year. The primary endpoint of this trial was change in lumbar spine BMD over 1 year with safety evaluated over 2 years.

To assess vertebral fracture risk reductions in the absence of a placebo group, historical controls were generated matching patients from the risedronate Phase III vertebral fracture studies to patients in the Once-a-Week (OaW) trial. Important baseline characteristics were matched between the historical placebo group and the 35 mg once-a-week group (mean lumbar spine T-score: -3.17 to -3.03; mean age: 67.6 to 68.1; % w/ prevalent fractures: 34.8% to 35.7%).

The vertebral fracture risk reduction with risedronate 35 mg OaW was statistically significant over 2 years compared with the matched historical placebo group (vertebral fracture incidence: historical placebo, (n=114) 10.5%, 35 mg risedronate OaW (n=403) 1.5%, relative risk=0.13, 95% CI:0.04-0.38). A similar vertebral fracture risk reduction was also observed with risedronate 50 mg OaW. Previously, we demonstrated that vertebral fracture risk was significantly reduced over 1 year using the same placebo control (RR=0.23, 95% CI:0.05-0.91, p=0.018) for the 35 mg once- a-week dose.

These results and the results over the first year of the study support the anti-fracture efficacy of risedronate OaW treatment in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. These results also suggest that appropriately matched historical controls may be useful to derive anti-fracture efficacy when placebo arms in prospective clinical trials are unavailable.

[Programme]

 
P-194

BONE HISTOLOGY AND HISTOMORPHOMETRY IN A 2-YEAR RISEDRONATE STUDY COMPARING DAILY AND WEEKLY DOSING

R. R. Recker1*, E. W. Sod2, Z. Li2, A. A. Chines2

1Creighton University Osteoporosis Research Center, Omaha, USA

2Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Mason, USA

The risedronate once-a-week study compared the efficacy of daily 5 mg to 35 and 50 mg once-a-week treatments in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. The primary endpoint of the non-inferiority study was changes in lumbar spine BMD at 1 year with safety evaluated over 2 years. Both weekly doses were non-inferior to 5 mg daily in lumbar spine BMD. As part of the safety evaluation, iliac crest biopsies were obtained in a subset of patients at baseline (n=109) and year 2 (n=86).

No histological abnormalities were observed in any of the risedronate-treated groups, suggesting normal bone quality even at the highest tested dose of 50 mg once- a-week. Double tetracycline labeled surfaces were observed in all endpoint biopsies. Trabecular and cortical bone structural parameters were generally unchanged and similar among the treatment groups. Bone turnover was significantly and similarly reduced in all groups by approximately 65%. All groups showed increased formation periods (FP) with significant changes in the 5 mg daily and 35 mg weekly groups. Consistent with previous 5 mg/d data, median mineralizing surface was approximately 1.5% in all groups after 2 years of therapy. Median change in mineral apposition rate (MAR) was positive in all groups and reached statistical significance in the weekly dose groups. Although wall thickness was unchanged in all groups, increased MAR and FP is suggestive of an anabolic effect of risedronate. This is the first study demonstrating daily and weekly risedronate regimens produce similar results at the bone tissue, BMU, and cellular levels. These bone biopsy results, in combination with the non-inferiority of lumbar spine BMD in both weekly regimens, supports the selection of 35 mg once-a-week as an alternative to 5 mg daily risedronate.

[Programme]

 
P-195

PHITOESTROGENS EFFICACY ON BONE LOSS RISK

M. Valente

Dpt. Obs. and Gyn. 'La Sapienza' Rome, Italy

The first choice for prevention of Osteoporosis in Perimenopausal women with normal bone mass or Osteopenia would be HRT, because it has so many other beneficial effects for women of this age.

However new prospects for overcoming this choice to take advantage of the skeletoprotective actions have opened up with the development of the efficacy studies on Phitoestrogens(Pe) treatments.

The controversy over hormone replacement therapy as been fuelled as much by myths and fears as by scientific data. In a debate still clouded by uncertainties about cardiovascular benefits versus cancer risks, at least remain the alternative option of Pe.

We have made a revue on Phitoestrogen therapy and his efficacy about Osteoporosis risk and we support with our personal studies on Pe against HRT after two years on treatment with a dosage of soy isoflavones + calcium and vit.D 3 + equisetum and lactobacillus (± 120 mg/die) against HRT ( E2 2mg./die + 0.5 mg. trimegestone).

[Programme]

 
P-196

COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT WITH ETIDRONATE AND ALENDRONATE ON BONE RESORPTION, BACK PAIN, AND ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING IN ELDERLY WOMEN WITH VERTEBRAL FRACTURES

J. Iwamoto1*, T. Takeda1, D. Ichimura2, M. Uzawa3

1Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

2National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan

3Keiyu Orthopaedic Hospital, Gunma, Japan

Objectives: To compare the effects of treatment with etidronate and alendronate on bone resorption, back pain, and activities of daily living (ADL) in elderly women with vertebral fractures. Design: Fifty elderly women, 63-84 years of age, with back pain due to osteoporotic vertebral fractures were randomly divided into two groups with 25 patients in each group: cyclical etidronate treatment group (200 mg/day for 2 weeks per 3 months) and alendronate treatment group (5 mg/day, daily). Urinary cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx) level measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, back pain evaluated with face scale score, and ADL score (disability) determined with a questionnaire were assessed before and 3 and 6 months after the start of treatment.

Results: No significant differences in these parameters were found between the two groups before treatment (unpaired t-test). Urinary NTx level, face scale score, and ADL score decreased significantly in both groups (all P<0.0001, one-way ANOVA). Although the reduction in urinary NTx level was significantly greater in the alendronate group than in the etidronate group (P<0.0001, two-way ANOVA), the reduction in face scale score was transiently significantly greater in the etidronate group than in the alendronate group (P<0.001, unpaired t-test). However, changes in ADL score did not significantly differ between the two groups (two-way ANOVA).

Conclusion: Although back pain was reduced and ADL was improved in both treatment groups of elderly women with clinical vertebral fractures, the mechanism for the reduction in back pain differs somewhat between the two treatment groups. A double-blind placebo-controlled study is needed to confirm the therapeutic effects of these agents on back pain and deterioration of ADL.

[Programme]

 
P-197

BONE HISTOMORPHOMETRY AND BONE MARKERS IN WOMEN AGED 20-39 YEARS WITH OSTEOPOROSIS

A. Sawicki1,2*, A. Debinski1, Z. Polowiec2, D. Bryk3, J. Pachecka3

1Mineral Metabolism and Bone Disease Dept., National Food and Nutrition Institute

2Warsaw Osteoporosis and Calcium Metabolism Centre 'Osteomed', Poland

3Depatment of Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Medical Univesity Warsaw, Poland

Osteoporosis is a significant health problem for women especially after menopause, but without known risk factors osteoporosis also occurs in young women.

The aim of the study was assessment of bone histomorphometry and biochemical bone markers in young women.

Twenty five women aged between 20-39 (X ±SD=32.1 ±6.5)years without known risk factors of osteoporosis underwent transiliac bone biopsy following tetracycline- labelling and bone markers studies. All of them had t-score of bone mineral density below 2.5 measured by DEXA-method (Hologic QDR4500A). none of them had hyperparathyroidism, renal disease, malabsorption and/or long-term corticosteroid tretment or other osteoporosis risk factors. Histomorphometric assessment of their bone including: trabecular volume, osteoid volume, osteoclast surface,and osteoblast surface according to ASMBR were done. Normal values of static histomorphometric parameters were obtained from 13 women aged 20-39 years without osteopathy who diet suddenly in trafic accidents. Serum osteocalcin and serum deoxypyridinoline concentration were measured by ELISA-method. Normal values of markers concentration were obtained from 56 health women aged 20-49(X ±SD=33.0 ±9.4)years.

Mean bone volume was significantly decreased (15.80 ±3.83 vs. 32.30 ±1.07; p<0.001), the mean osteoid volume and mean osteoclast surface was significantly increased (3.97 ±2.72 vs. 1.98 ±0.45: p<0.01: 2.60 ±1.28 vs. 1.49 ±0.54; p<0.01 respectively). No significant difference in mean osteoblast surface was found (2.84 ±2.22 vs. 3.50 ±0.79; NS). In study group mean concentratin of serum deoxypyridinoline was significantly higher then in control group (6.24 ±2.66 nmol/L vs. 3.81 ±0.62 nmol/L; p<0.001). No significant difference in serum osteocalcin concentration was found (10.35 ±4.02 vs. 10.89 ±3.80; NS)

Conclusions: osteoporosis in women in there thrities and fourts is characterised by uncoupling between increased bone resorption without changed of osteoblast activity. Uncoupling between resorption and formation can be reason of osteoporosis in youn women.

The study was supported by State Committee for Scientific Research, grant no. 4PO5B11614

[Programme]

 
P-198

BONE MINERAL DENSITY AND BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS OF BONE METABOLISM IN TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS

A. P. Shepelkevich*, T. V. Mokhort, J. V. Tolcachev

Belarussian State Medical University, Minsk, Belarus

In order to investigate the relationship between the decrease of bone density and the altered mineral metabolism in type 1 diabetes mellitus (type 1 DM), 159 patients (68 men and 91 women; age 32,31+0,72 yr; duration of disease 11,92+0,64 years) were studied. Bone mineral density was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), markers of bone formation [serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and serum osteocalcin] and bone resorption [urinary excretion of calcium and of the cross-linked N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen, both corrected for the excretion of creatinine] were measured in the diabetic patients and in 30 healthy controls, matched for sex, age, height, weight and body mass index (BMI).

In 28 % of the diabetic men and 36 % of the diabetic women osteopenia of the femoral neck and/or the lumbar spine (T-value < or = -1 SD) was present.

There was significantly higher mean cross-linked N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (38%) levels in the patients with femoral neck osteopenia than in those without osteopenia at this site, suggesting increased bone resortion.

The serum osteocalcin levels were lower (p<0,05) in the patients with femoral neck osteopenia than in those without osteopenia, that suggested lowering bone formation.

There were no differences in the mean serum ALP, urinary excretion of calcium levels between the diabetic patients and the controls, nor between the diabetic patients with and without femoral neck osteopenia.

Bone mineral density (BMD) negatively correlated with plasma levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

Our data demonstrate that at least in type 1 DM patients, osteopenia is the consequence of a lowered bone formation with a predominance of bone resorption over formation.

[Programme]

 
P-199

BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN LONG-TERM SURVIVORS OF HIGHLY-MALIGNANT OSTEOSARCOMA

G. Holzer1*, P. Krepler1, M. A. Koschat2, S. Grampp3, M. Dominkus1, R. Kotz1

1Department of Orthopaedics, University of Vienna, Vienna General Hospital, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria

2New York University, 44 West Fourth Street, New York, NY 10012-1126, USA

3Department of Radiology, Osteoradiology, University of Vienna, Vienna General Hospital, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria

This study presents evidence of the long-term effects on bone mineral density (BMD) in long-term survivors of highly-malignant osteosarcoma treated with the chemotherapy protocols of the German-Swiss-Austrian Osteosarcoma Study Group (COSS) which includes high-dose methotrexate.

Forty-eight subjects (mean age: 31 ± 4.2 years, mean follow-up: 16 ± 2.2 years) participated in the study. BMD of lumbar spine and proximal femur of the non- operated side were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. A questionnaire was administered to determine personal and life style factors as well as patients' medical history and medication.

In the sample, ten patients were osteoporotic, twenty one osteopenic, and seventeen normal according to WHO definition. Eighteen patients reported bone fractures after receiving chemotherapy. The sample had statistically significantly lower BMD levels for all sites measured.

In conclusion, long-term survivors of highly-malignant osteosarcoma treated with one of the COSS protocols showed lower BMD values that are statistically as well as medically significant.

[Programme]

 
P-200

RATIONAL SCREENING FOR OSTEOPOROSIS IN THE PRIMARY CARE SETTING

R. Hren1*, B. Salobir2, M. Cokolic3, A. Kocijancic4

1University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

2VA Hospital dr. Peter Drzaj, Ljubljana, Slovenia

3Teaching Hospital Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia

4Clinical Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Early identification of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis by means of bone mineral density (BMD) measurement is a prerequisite for reducing the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. Primary care physicians have a leading role in referring such patients, however, given the cost of the BMD measurement, efficient screening criteria remain to be determined. Currently available criteria (e.g., SCORE, ORAI) are very broad with low specificity. Objective of our study is to assess simple decision rules that could enhance identifying patients with high risk of fracture while concurrently minimizing number of unnecessary measurements.

In the study, 357 primary care physicians (GPs and gynecologists) referred their patients to BMD measurements based on the following decision rules: women (i) should be postmenopausal for at least 5 years, (ii) should have body mass index (BMI) less than 26 kg/m2, and (iii) should have never been diagnosed with osteoporosis. BMD of lumbar spine and/or hip was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 5 centers. Results of BMD measurements were expressed in terms of the T- score and were forwarded to the primary care physicians.

In the study, 2339 postmenopausal women were enrolled; by the end of the study, 327 physicians (92%) reported results on 2196 women (94%). 1332 women of 2196 (61%) were identified as osteoporotic, 637 (29%) as osteopenic, and 227 (10%) had normal BMD. Approximately 30% of patients with osteoporosis suffered from previous low-trauma fracture. Among all women, the prevalence of osteoporosis was 34% for ages less than 55 years, 50% for ages 55-59 years, and 69% for ages above 60 years. The number of DXA measurements needed to detect one osteoporotic patient among women older than 60 years and with BMI <24.5 kg/m2 was 1.32.

Results of our study suggest that three simple decision rules provide efficient guidance for BMD measurement referrals. Moreover, these decision rules proved to be efficient in the primary care setting. Since a vast majority of women enrolled in the program (90%) had either osteopenia or osteoporosis, it can be expected that these decision rules primarily apply to identification of patients who are at relatively high risk of fracture. These rules should be thus recognized as the initial judicious tool for identifying patients with osteoporosis in the primary care setting, which should be later supplemented by other broader criteria.

[Programme]

 
P-201

ULTRASOUND TESTS IN DIAGNOSTIC OF LOCAL DIABETIC OSTEOPENIA

A. P. Shepelkevich

Belarussain State Medical University, Minsk, Belarus

Localized lesions at the foot skeleton are a serious and well recognized complication of diabetes mellitus which may impair the clinical outcome of the patients remarkably. The presence of localized lesions at the hand skeleton related to diabetes mellitus is less acknowledged and its clinical relevance is less obvious.

Materials and methods: 38 type 1 DM patients (age 34,9 SD 10,2 years, diabetes duration 9,7 SD 7,9 years, HbA1c 8,4 SD 1,5%) and 30 healthy controls, matched for sex, age, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were studied.

All type 1 DM patients and controls quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the calcaneal bone and QUS of the hand phalanges were performed. The ultrasonometry variables, speed of sound (SOS), broad ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and the stiffness index (SI) were compared in the results of two methods: QUS of the calcaneal bone and QUS of the hand phalanges.

Results: We observed a statistically significant difference between the methods in the next ultrasonographic parameters: BMD (0,56 vs 0,52 and 0,56 vs 0,55, p<0,01), QUI (99,2 vs 95,1 and 106,3 vs 98,4, p< 0,01), BUA (83,3 vs 73,8 AND 86,1 vs 74,3, p<0,01).

Diabetic osteopenia was reveal in 54 % with the QUS of the calcaneal bone and 28 % with the QUS of the hand phalanges.

Conclusion: Our results indicate a possible role QUS for the diagnostic of local diabetic osteopenia. Finally, QUS of the calcaneal bone is more early/specific method in discriminating of local diabetic osteopenia.

[Programme]

 
P-202

3-D SYNCHROTRON MICRO-CT ALLOWS UNIQUE INSIGHT OF CHANGES IN BONE QUALITY WITH RISEDRONATE THERAPY

E. L. Ritman1*, B. Borah2, T. E. Dufresne2, R. J. Phipps2, J. P. Sacha2, S. M. Jorgensen1, D. A. Reyes1, R. T. Turner1

1Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA

2Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Mason, USA

With the increased awareness that the effectiveness of anti-resorptive therapies in reducing fractures is partly mediated by changes in bone quality, there is an on-going search for new technologies to describe and quantify such changes. With high- resolution Synchrotron 3-D Micro-CT, we have investigated changes in local trabecular micro-architecture and degree of mineralization of bone biopsies from risedronate treated osteoporotic women.

Paired transiliac bone biopsies obtained at baseline and after 3 years of treatment with placebo (n = 8) or risedronate 5 mg daily (n = 11) were scanned at the Synchrotron Light Source X2B beam line micro-CT scanner at Brookhaven. The monochromatic radiation allows for quantification of material radio opacity (density) and its 3-D distribution by calibrating the gray level values with a phantom of multiple concentrations (g/cc) of K2HPO4. The high resolution (4 micron) images provided quantitative delineation of the under-mineralized or low-density bone (mean 0.864; range 0.565 - 0.942 g/cc) from the high-density bone (mean 1.041; range 0.942-1.475 g/cc). There was a significant reduction of the low-density bone fraction (%low density bone/total bone) with concomitant increase of the high-density fraction in the risedronate treated biopsies relative to baseline (p = 0.0001). The composite histograms calibrated with the phantom provided a distribution of the degree of mineralization in each treatment cohort. Risedronate increased the peak densities by 5.1% (p < 0.001) relative to baseline, indicating an increase in the degree of mineralization. The changes for the placebo group in the low or high-density bone fractions as well as in the degree of mineralization were not significantly different from baseline. Further, surface topology analysis showed a reduction of surface roughness (presumably osteoclastic erosions) with risedronate treatment relative to baseline. The observed changes with risedronate are likely due to reduced bone turnover and may contribute to improved bone quality, and reduction in fracture risks.

[Programme]

 
P-203

NON-INVASIVE AND IN VIVO 3D-EVALUATION OF BONE STRUCTURES IN THE HUMAN FOREARM; A STEP TOWARD AN INDIVIDUAL FRACTURE RISK PREDICTION

M. Neff1*, M. A. Dambacher2, L. Qin3, P. Ruegsegger1

1Center for Osteoporosis, Zürich, Switzerland

2University Clinic Balgrist, Zürich, Switzerland

3Chinese University of Hongkong, PR.China

Non-invasive and in vivo 3D-Evaluation of Bone Structures in the Human Forearm; a step toward an individual fracture risk prediction

Till now in vivo only bone mass was available quantitatively. The non invasive evaluation of bone structures, which play an important role in the fracture risk prediction, was made qualitatively using high resolution 2D-CT-images. Recently quantitative 3D structure analysis became available in vivo with the help of 3D-QCT (Densiscan 3D, Scanco Medical AG, Zürich, Switzerland).

Methods: The new device has a 2-dimensional detector array in combination with a 0.15 x 12mm line-focus x-ray tube (effective energy 40keV), enabling the simultaneous acquisition of stacks of 110 tomograms perpendicular to the bone axis. The radial resolution is <160µm (10% MTF, isotropic voxel size 90µm) and axial <200µm (10%MTF). The first stack of tomograms is taken 7mm proximal from the endplate of the distal radius delivering a coverage of a region of about 10mm. The data acquisition time is about 2 minutes and the skin radiation dose for a whole examination (scout view included) 2.5mGy. With automatic repositioning the reproducibility is <±1% (for structure elements) in mixed collectives.

Results: In praxi it is now possible to quantify microarchitectural features as number of trabeculae, trabecular and cortical thickness, trabecular spacing and endosteal surface; in addition the volumetric BMD of trabecular and cortical bone.

Conclusions: Such a characterization gives not only a better insight into the pathogenesis for the prevention and treatment (e.g. with Risedronate) of the primary and secondary osteoporosis; it also improves individual fracture risk prediction; e.g. with the help of finite element analysis.

[Programme]

 
P-204

OSTEOCALCIN IN HUMAN URINE: IDENTIFICATION OF MULTIPLE OSTEOCALCIN FRAGMENTS AND DEMONSTRATION OF THEIR DISTINCT CLINICAL PERFORMANCE

K. K. Ivaska1*, J. Hellman2, J. Likojärvi1,2, S. M. Käkönen2, P. Gerdhem3, K. Åkesson3, K. J. Obrant3, K. Pettersson2, H. K. Väänänen1

1Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Anatomy, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

2Department of Biotechnology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

3Department of Orthopaedics, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden

Osteocalcin (OC) is a bone matrix protein of 49 amino acids. It is synthesized by osteoblasts and OC in circulation is currently considered as a marker of bone turnover. OC is rapidly cleared by glomerular filtration into urine and it has been detected also in urine samples. The detailed structure, origin and clinical significance of urine OC are still mainly unknown. We have isolated and identified nine fragments of OC from urine samples of healthy individuals. Urine OC fragments consisted of 18-27 amino acid residues from the middle region of OC. Fragments were abundant and large enough to be detected with simple and convenient two-step assays based on monoclonal antibodies and time-resolved fluorescence detection. Longer fragments were abundant in all the samples tested (N = 6) and most of them had amino acid Gly7 in their N-terminus. The most predominant was the one consisting of residues 7-31. Additional OC fragments starting from residue Asp14 were detected in the samples of children and young adults. Immunoassays for the determination of different urine OC fragments were evaluated by measuring samples from 37 females, all 75 years of age, together with other markers of bone turnover, serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b and intact OC. The assay for total urine OC, which measures both Gly7- and Asp14- fragments, had the best clinical performance when correlation to bone mineral density (BMD) assessed at femoral neck was evaluated (r = -0.68, p < 0.0001). Also, a significant (p = 0.0003) difference in BMD was observed between the quartiles of this assay, in contrast to non-significant differences observed with other evaluated assays. Thus, Asp14- and Gly7- OC fragments in urine appear to reflect different aspects of bone metabolism and the measurement of them separately or in combination may have potential applications in diagnostics related to disorders of bone metabolism.

[Programme]

 
P-205

DESCRIPTIVE ANALISIS OF THE CALCANEAL QUANTITATIVE ULTRASOUND VALUES IN 5195 POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN ATTENDED IN PRIMARY CARE CENTERS

F. Marín1*, F. Teruel2, R. Julián3, E. Mira4, M. Borge5, E. Sampedro6 for the ECOSAP investigators

1Department Medical Research, Lilly S.A., Madrid, Spain

2CS Txantrea, Pamplona, Spain

3CS Peñagrande, Madrid, Spain

4CS Los Angeles, Alicante, Spain

5CS Arturo Eyres Sur, Valladolid, Spain
6CS Hermanos Iturrino, Irún, Spain

Objetives: Quantiative ultrasound (QUS) assessment is a safe, simple and effective method for evaluating bone status. The aim of the study was to describe the calcaneal QUS values of a large cohort of postmenopausal women consecutively attended in Primary Care Centers in Spain. Secondly, the prevalence of osteoporosis was evaluated applying the WHO criteria to QUS values in this population.

Subjects and Methods: Transversal, descriptive, multicenter study. 5195 women >65 year-old (mean+SD: 72'3+5'3 years) attended for any medical reason, between March 2000 and June 2001, in 58 Primary Care Centers distributed throughout the spanish peninsula, were included in the study. Subjects with known metabolic or neoplastic bone diseases, with the exception of osteoporosis, were excluded. An informed consent to participate was required. QUS was performed at the right heel with a Sahara bone sonometer. To calculate T-scores, the national reference values for this equipment were used(1). For the diagnosis of osteoporosis, the WHO criterion for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technology was applied: i.e.; T-score <-2,5 SD.

Results: see Table.The prevalence of osteoporosis was of 12.8%, 5.1%, 13.8% and 12.4% using the T-scores of the Estimated Heel BMD, BUA, SOS and QUI respectively.

Conclusions: The prevalence of osteoporosis applying the WHO cut-off value for DXA to QUS values is clearly below the expected prevalence in this age group (between 25-50% depending on the measurement site). BUA T-score values were notably higher than the rest of the QUS parameters, and it seems of less value to evaluate the bone status. QUS specific T-scores thresholds for the diagnosis of osteoporosis are needed to facilitate adequate clinical decision making when using this technique.

1Osteoporos Int (2002):13:487

 

Parameter

n

Mean (SD)

CI 95%

Estimated Heel BMD (g/cm2)

5186

0.437 (0.118)

0.118 ; 0.433

Estimated Heel BMD T-score

5186

-1.27 (1.07)

-1.30 ; -1,24

Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA) (db/MHz)

4757

65.1 (17.6)

64.6 ; 65.6

BUA T-score

4757

-0.82 (1.13)

-0.85 ; -0.79

Speed of Sound (SOS) (m/seg)

4757

1525.4 (36.0)

1524.4 ; 1526.4

SOS T-score

4757

-1.42 (1.26)

-1.45 ; -1,38

Quantitative Ultrasound Index (QUI) (%)

5171

81.0 (18.6)

80.5 ; 81.5

QUI T-score

5171

-1.29 (1.09)

-1.31 ; -1.26

 

[Programme]

 
P-206

BASELINE CHARACTERISTICS AND REASONS FOR INITIATING OSTEOPOROSIS TREATMENT: RESULTS FROM THE SPANISH COMPLIANCE OSTEOPOROSIS STUDY IN POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS (PROCUOS)

C. Turbi1*, G. Herrero Beaumont2, J. C. Acebes2, G. Graña3, A. Torrijos4

11 Lilly Spain, Eli Lilly and Company. Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain

2Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain

3Hospital Juan Canalejo, A Coruña, Spain

4Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain

OBJECTIVES: To describe baseline characteristics and to evaluate the reasons for initiating osteoporosis treatment in postmenopausal women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: PROCUOS is an observational, prospective, multicenter and comparative study. Postmenopausal women (PW) with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures, aged >55 years, and who had not been on any therapy with bone active agents for at least 3 months were enrolment in the study, and commenced raloxifene 60 mg/day or alendronate 10 mg/day therapy. Primary objective was to evaluate compliance with raloxifene compared to alendronate treatment for a minimum of 12 months in PW with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures, as evaluated by the treating physician. Secondary objectives were to evaluate factors involved in non-compliance and patient satisfaction with osteoporosis treatment. Here, we present baseline characteristics and treatment choices at baseline as determined by the treating physician. Reasons for treatment choice were determined using the risk factors for osteoporosis fractures from National Osteoporosis foundation and by the diagnosis of osteopenia, osteoporosis and established osteoporosis following the WHO criteria.

RESULTS: A total of 902 postmenopausal women were included, 476 patients in the raloxifene group (mean age: 63.5 years old) and 426 patients in the alendronate group (mean age: 65.4). The age range in both treatment groups was 55-89 years. Mean age of menopause in both treatment groups was 48.3 years. The percentage of women with surgical menopause in both groups was 13.9%. 56.2% of the patients were recruited in public centers, 38.6% in private centers and 5.2% in mixed centers. 69.6% of the patients did not receive any antiresorptive treatment prior to this study. In the pooled population, the main reasons for study treatment was osteoporosis (45.9%), established osteoporosis (23.9%) and osteopenia (17.1%). Reasons for treatment initiation are shown in Table 1.

CONCLUSIONS: In postmenopausal women, the primary reason for initiating osteoporosis treatment is still based on the diagnosis of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and established osteoporosis following WHO criteria.

 

Table 1: Reason for study treatment

Reasons

Raloxifene

Alendronate

Total

P-value

Osteoporotic fracture risk factors

56 (11.8%)

47 (11.1%)

103 (11.4%)

ns

Osteopenia

102 (21.4%)

52 (12.3%)

154 (17.1%)

0.0003

Osteoporosis

215 (45.2%)

198 (46.7%)

413 (45.9%)

ns

Established osteoporosis

95 (20.0%)

120 (28.3%)

215 (23.9%)

0.0034

Others

8 (1.7%)

7 (1.7%)

15 (1.6%)

ns

ns: not significant

[Programme]

 
P-207

REASONS FOR DISCONTINUATING OSTEOPOROSIS TREATMENT: RESULTS FROM THE SPANISH COMPLIANCE OSTEOPOROSIS STUDY IN POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS (PROCUOS)

C. Turbi1*, G. Herrero Beaumont2, J. C. Acebes2, R. Miguelez3, S. Garcia4

1Lilly Spain, Eli Lilly and Company. Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain

2Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain

3Hospital de Móstoles, Madrid, Spain

4Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate reasons for discontinuing osteoporosis treatment in postmenopausal women

MATERIAL AND METHODS: PROCUOS is an observational, prospective, multicenter, comparative and non-interventional open label study. Postmenopausal women with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures, aged 55 years or over, who had not been on any therapy with bone active agents for at least 3 months and who after enrollment in the study, initiated raloxifene 60 mg/day or alendronate 10 mg/day treatment, as determined by the treating physician. We analyzed the proportion of women who had been on previous treatment at least 3 months before enrollment in the study and the reasons for discontinuation.

RESULTS: A total of 628 (69.6%) patients did not receive any antiresorptive treatment prior to this study. A total of 274 (30.4%) women included in the study had previously been treated for osteoporosis (Table 1).

Treatment-related side effects were most often the reason for stopping HRT (27.3%) and alendronate (45.1%). In those patients who were treated with CT and ET, the main reason for discontinuation was patient concern (26.6% and 23.5%, respectively). Two women stopped raloxifene treatment because of patient concern, one stopped because advice of the doctor and the other women stopped without reason(Table 2).

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the reasons for non-adherence differ by treatment type. Although small sample size, the most common reasons for patients not adhering to HRT and alendronate therapy were side effects, as has been previously reported.

 

Table 1: Previous osteoporosis treatment

TREATMENT

TOTAL

None

628 ( 69.6%)

Calcitonin (CT)

158 (17.5 %)

Alendronate (ALN)

51 (5.7%)

Etidronate (ET)

34 (3.8%)

HRT

22 (2.4%)

Others

9 (1.0%)

Raloxifene (RLX)

4 (0.4%)

 

 

Table 2: Reasons for discontinuation by treatment

Reasons for discontinuation

HRT

N=22

ALN

N=51

CT

N=158

ET

N=34

RLX

N=4

Others

N=9

Side effects

27.3%

45.1%

19.0%

11.8%

 

22.2%

Fear of cancer

22.7%

 

0.6%

     

Lack of efficacy (BMD)

4.5%

7.8%

14.6%

23.5%

 

22.2%

Advice of the doctor

27.3%

13.7%

25.3%

23.5%

25.0%

 

Advice from a friend

 

2.0%

3.2%

     

Patient concern

13.6%

25.5%

26.6%

23.5%

50.0%

22.2%

Other

4.5%

3.9%

6.3%

17.6%

 

11.1%

No data

 

3.9%

7.6%

 

25.0%

22.2%

 

[Programme]

 
P-208

EFFICACY OF FOSAMAX VS. EVISTA COMPARISON TRIAL (EFFECT-INTERNATIONAL): RESULTS AT 6 MONTHS

P. Sambrook1, P. Geusens2, V. Keraudren3, K. Gaines3, A. Leung3, M. Melton3*

1Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia

2Biomedical Research Institute-LUC, Diepenbeek, Belgium

3Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ USA

This multinational study was designed to compare the efficacy of alendronate and raloxifene when used for treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. We presented here the 6 month results from this 12 month study.

This study population comprised 487 postmenopausal women at 50 centers in 15 countries representative of Eastern and Western Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive alendronate 70 mg once weekly (Fosamax, Merck & Co., Inc.) and raloxifene placebo daily or raloxifene 60 mg daily (Eli Lilly) and alendronate placebo once weekly. This interim analysis assessed the response in markers of bone turnover at 6 months. The markers measured were urinary NTx and serum BSAP.

The mean age of women enrolled was 62 years (range 42 to 90 years). 79% were Caucasian. They were on average 15 years post menopause. At 6 months, the decrease in urinary NTx from baseline in the alendronate group was 68.1%, compared to a decrease of 28.6% in the raloxifene group (P<0.001). The decrease in serum BSAP from baseline in the alendronate group was 43.8%, compared to a decrease of 11.1% in the raloxifene group (P<0.001). For both urinary NTx and serum BSAP, changes from baseline within treatment group were significant for both treatments (P<0.001 for both alendronate and raloxifene).

This study is planned to continue through a 12 month treatment duration. The 6 month results presented here indicate that weekly alendronate provides larger decreases in bone turnover than does daily raloxifene, and is therefore a more potent antiresorptive agent when used for treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

[Programme]

 
P-209

NORMAL VALUES OF FOREARM BONE BMD AND INCIDENCE OF PRIMARY OSTEOPOROSIS IN CHINESE WOMEN

Y. Jiang1*, L. Miao1, Z. G. Ji1, X. Xie2, C. Y. Wang1, S. Cao1, Q. Xiang3, N. Su3, C. Y. Li3, Z. H. Liu3

1Central Hospital of China Petroleum and Natural Gas Corporation Group, Langfang, HeBei Province, 065000, P.R.China

2Denmark Hilleroed Hospital

3China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing,100029, P.R.China

In this study we obtained the normative reference data of forearm BMD in Chinese women using a new computerised radiogrammetric analysis system (Pronosco X- posure system),which generates a BMD estimate(DXR-BMD)through scanning of a plain radiogaph of the hand and forearm.DXR-BMD data were obtained in 354 normal Chinese women aged 20-79 years.The peak BMD was found in women between 30-39 years of age(estimated peak BMD=0.5569,SD=0.027,occurring at age 30-39).The incidence of osteoporosis diagnosed on the basis of pcak BMD minus 2.0 SD in this study population was similar to the prevalence of primary osteoporosis in Chinese women reported by others using osteodensitometry.We conclude that the Pronosco X-posure system can can provide simple, accurate and inexpensive assessment of bone mineral status, making it valuable in the diagnosis of osteoporosis, especially in developing countries.

Key words: Women Forearm Bone mineral density, Incidence, Computerised radiogrammetric analysis system

Normal values of forearm bone BMD and incidence of primary osteoporosis in Chinese women

 

Age

No.

BMD(g/cm)2

T-score

Incidence of Primary

   

(mean ±SD)

(-2.0SD)(No.)

osteoporosis(%)

20-29

57

0.530 ±0.030

4

7.0

30-39

56

0.556 ±0.027

0

0.0

40-49

59

0.554 ±0.0-29

1

1.7

50-59

61

0.500 ±0.045

25

39.7

60-69

61

0.467 ±0.049

38

62.3

70-79

60

0.429 ±0.043

55

91.7

Total

354

 

123

34.8

 

[Programme]

 
P-210

RESEARCH OF NORMAL POPULATION'S PHALANGEAL BONE DENSITY IN THE SUBURBS OF BEIJING BY RADIOGRAPHIC ABSORPTIONETRY

Z. H. Liu1*, D. King2, Q. Xiang3, N. Su3, C. Y. Li3, X. J. Ma1, X. S. Wang4, C. M. Ma4

1Beijing Eastern Asia-Pacific Bone and Mineral Research Center, 100102, Box9910, Beijing, P.R.China

2Alara Incorporated, U.S.A.

3Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China

4Epidemic Prevention Station of Langfang City, HeBei Province, 065000, P.R.China

Preface: MetriScan Bone Densitometer is a popular portable osteoporosis diagnostic instrument to estimate phalangeal BMD. We conducted this research to develop a normative database for the Chinese people.

Method:Metriscan is an independent desktop bone density measuring device which uses radiographic absorptiometry(RA)to estimate the corresponding BMD value and T-score. As a result,osteoporosis can be diagnosed and fracture risk can be predicted.Grouping:we selected 8 groups of ordinary people aging from 10 to 89. Each group has 50 people with men and women counted separately.To obtain more accurate estimate of peak bone mass, age groups from 20 to 29 and from 30 to 39 include 125 people each. People who have taken osteoposis drugs or who have suffered from diabetes, ovariotomy, etc. are excluded from the selected groups.

Result: for women, peak bone mass appears in the age group from 30 to 39 and from 29 to 35. As age increases, bone mass loss is evident with considerable regularity. The other hand, for men, peak bone mass appears in the age group from 30 to 39 and 25 to 32. As age increases, loss of bone mass slows down.

Discussion:A.The brand new MetriScan integrating Radiographic Absorptiometry and Digital Graph Analysis is suitable for osteoporosis diagnosis for the Chinese people. Before SPA came into being, X-ray was used to diagnose osteoporosis. Affected by many factors, osteoporosis was diagnosed only when bone mass loss reached 30 to 50 percent. Digitalization and RA technology brought a new member to the early-stage osteoporosis diagnostic instrument family. The result obtained by using MetriScan to measure the normal group from Northern China is similar to that obtained by a task team headed by Prof.Liu Zhong-hou using SPA to measure bone density of the forearm(radius and ulna)1/3 of 40,000 people.

B. MetriScan is an independent bone density diagnostic instrument with a low price. As it is easy to operate, it is suitable for small hospitals.In big hospitals, Metriscan is supplementary to DEXA.

[Programme]

 
P-211

CLINICAL ANALYSIS OF 156 OLD PATIENTS WITH HIP FRACTURE

T. C. Shen*, H. W. Jiang, X. F. Xu

Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Zhengjiang Medical College, JiangSu Province, P.R.China

Objective: To report the treatment of hip bone fracture in the senile patients, to analyse its characteristics and key points in diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: All 156 cases over 60 years(age ranged from 60 to 93)with hip fracture were treated from January 1997 to December 1999. With male 55 cases, average 71.8 years, female 101 cases, average 73.1 years. Bone fracture types include the femoral neck fracture (94cases), among those, male(20), female(74); The femoral intertrochanteric fracture (62 cases), male(35), female (27). 41 cases were treated with non-operational methods; 115 patients received operational treatment, among them 45 cases were treated with internal fixation, 68 cases were replaced with artificial femoral head, 2 cases were ablated femoral head and neck. Some were given drugs of osteoporosis.

Results: 110 cases were followed up from 0.5 to 3.5 years. Two cases were venous thrombosis in low limbs after operation, two cases had femoral head ischemia and necrosis, the moving and slipping of internal fixation were 2 cases, and the internal fixation break-up was one case, pain caused by artificial femoral head sinking were 4 cases, the death shortly after operation were 2 cases (died of cardiac infarction and respiratory infection), 97 cases got satisfactory result (88.2%).

Conclusion 1. Hip bone fractures are mostly seen in senile woman (64.7%); while less in senile male (35.3%), which related to the osteoporosis after menopause in female. Femoral neck fractures are mostly seen in senile female, while femoral intertrochanteric fractures are mostly seen in senile male, when over 70 years, the hip bone fracture occurs more frequently than before, which is related to the osteoporosis, it shows that the bones fracture occurrence rate increases with the age, the danger of it increases too.

2. The hip bone fracture in the senile man belongs to that of osteoporosis, but the femoral intertrochanteric fracture has obvious injury history. The femoral neck fracture is often with slight force (torsion), so we should make a right diagnose and try to prevent omitting or mistaking, which will have a negative effect.

4. We should treat the osteoporosis together with fracture, which is of great significance in relieving bone pain, promoting bone healing and preventing hip bone from re-breaking up.

Key words: Aged, Hip fracture, Osteoporosis

[Programme]

 
P-212

THREE-YEARS TREATMENT WITH RISEDRONATE PRESERVES BONE QUALITY

E. P. Paschalis1*, R. J. Phipps2

1Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA

2Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Mason, USA

Factors such as bone microarchitecture and bone quality in addition to bone mineral density (BMD) are important determinants of fracture risk. Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporotic subjects with risedronate (1- and 3-yr) reduces vertebral fractures while concomitantly preserving bone microarchitecture and increasing BMD. In this analysis we compared the effects of placebo and 3-yr risedronate treatment on bone quality, specifically mineral crystallinity/maturity and collagen cross-link ratio (pyr/deH-DHLNL) via Fourier transform infrared microscopic imaging (FTIRI), in paired human iliac crest biopsies.

Paired iliac crest biopsies were obtained from 19 postmenopausal osteoporotic subjects at baseline and after 3-y treatment with placebo (n=8), or risedronate (5mg/day orally; n=11). The biopsies were embedded in methylmethacrylate, and the trabecular bone region was analyzed by FTIRI in ~4 um thick sections for determination of mineral crystallinity (bone mineral crystallite size in the crystallographic c-axis), and collagen cross-links ratio. Attention was focused to trabeculae devoid of resorbing surfaces. Three images per section were acquired (each image 400 x 400 um 2 area or >2000 pixels with a spatial resolution of 7 um). Crystallinity was compared before and after treatment (t-test). Values are mean ± standard deviation

Three-yr risedronate treatment had no significant effect on mineral crystallinity or collagen cross-link (pyr/deH-DHLNL) ratio of trabecular bone. Crystallinity before and after treatment was 0.995 ± 0.107 and 0.927 ± 0.059, respectively. Collagen cross- link ratio before and after treatment was 1.605 ± 0.404 and 1.609 ± 0.859, respectively. In contrast, in subjects treated for 3-yr with placebo there were statistically significant increases in both the mineral crystallinity (0.924 ± 0.06 vs. 1.218 ± 0.04) and collagen cross-link ratio (1.4 ± 0.2 vs. 1.9 ± 0.04).

This lack of an increase in both mineral crystallinity and collagen cross-link ratio coupled with increased BMD and preservation of microarchitecture suggests that risedronate suppresses osteoclastic activity relatively more than osteoblastic activity. These results contrast to the previously reported increase in mineral crystallinity seen with other antiresorptive therapies (ibandronate and hormonal replacement therapy).

[Programme]

 
P-213

DO THE IOF CASE FINDING CRITERIA IDENTIFY OSTEOPOROTIC WOMEN FOR BONE DENSITOMETRY AS ACCURATELY AS THE CLINICAL DECISION RULES SCORETM, OST AND ORAI?

B. R. Christoffersen1*, C. L. Tofteng1, N. Nissen2, P. Vestergaard3, O. Bärenholdt4, S. P. Nielsen4, L. Mosekilde3, B. Abrahamsen2

1Osteoporosis Unit, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

2Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark

3Department of Endocrinology, Aarhus County Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

4Department of Diagnostic Imaging , Hilleroed Hospital, Hilleroed, Denmark

Several clinical decision rules (CDR) have been developed to guide the clinician in deciding whether to refer postmenopausal women for DXA.

SCORETM, OST and ORAI are all validated in several, mainly North American cohorts.

The purpose of the present analysis was to investigate how accurately these CDRs perform in comparison with the current IOF case finding criteria in predicting a T- score =< -2.5 at the femoral neck or lumbar spine.

Study population: 2016 healthy women with recent menopause, aged 43-58, median 50.5 years interviewed at baseline within The Danish Osteoporosis Prevention Study.

Methods: BMD was measured at the hip and lumbar spine using cross calibrated Hologic QDR-1000 and -2000 densitometers. NHANES III and Hologic young adult reference ranges for femoral neck and spine were used.

Data sufficient for calculation of the CDR and IOF-scores were available in 2009 women. The IOF criteria were operationalised as follows:

-Menopause < 45y

-Secondary amenorrhoea >1y

-Corticosteroid therapy > 7.5 mg/day >1y

-Maternal hip fracture

-BMI < 19 kg/ m2

-Fragility fracture >45y (wrist, hip, spine, rib, humerus, pelvis)

-Hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, immobilization >1 month, renal failure.

A positive IOF-score was defined as at least one positive answer.

Results: The prevalence of T=<-2.5 was 4.5%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) are shown in the table below.

At their recommended cut-offs, the CDRs have significantly higher predictive values than the IOF criteria. No association between the IOF criteria and the presence of osteoporosis could be established. Though the CDRs had low PPV, they raised the prevalence of osteoporosis among women eligible for DXA by up to 82%.

Conclusions: Despite weak diagnostic accuracy, all of the CDRs are superior to the IOF criteria in selecting women for densitometry in this relatively young age group.

 

 

 

IOF

SCORE

ORAI

OST

Cut-off

>=1

>=7

>=9

<2

Sens. % (95% CI)

21 (17-25)

62 (57-67)

51 (46-56)

53 (48-59)

Spec. % (95% CI)

80 (79-81)

66 (65-67)

73 (72-74)

72 (71-73)

PPV % (95% CI)

4.7 (4-6)

7.8 (7-9)

8.2 (7-9)

8.2 (7-9)

NPV % (95% CI)

96 (95-96)

97 (97-98)

97 (97-97)

97 (97-98)

chi-square p-value

0.80

<0.0001

<0.0001

<0.0001

 

[Programme]

 
P-214

PRIOR USE OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (HRT) AND THE EFFECTS OF RALOXIFENE ON THE RISK OF VERTEBRAL FRACTURE IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH AND WITHOUT PREVALENT VERTEBRAL FRACTURES

D. Agnusdei1*, P. M. Kulkarni1, J. L. Stock1, M. Wong1, O. Johnell2

1Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

2Universitetssjukhuset MAS, Malmo, Sweden

The objective of this analysis is to determine the effects of raloxifene on the risk of vertebral fracture (VF) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, with or without prevalent VF, who used HRT prior to enrollment in the 4-year Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) study. Of the 7682 women who reported their status of prior HRT use, 2235 women used HRT before enrolling in MORE. Separate

logistic regression models analyzed the relationships between prior HRT use and VF risks. At baseline, women who previously used HRT were younger and more likely to have a family history of osteoporosis than women who did not use HRT. Raloxifene 60 mg/d significantly decreased VF risk by 54% in women who had prior HRT use [relative risk (RR) 0.46 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.32, 0.67)], and by 29% in women who did not use HRT previously [RR 0.71 (95% CI 0.58, 0.86)]. In women without prevalent VF, raloxifene 60 mg/d reduced the VF risk by 38% [RR 0.62 (95% CI 0.41-0.95)] in those who did not use HRT previously, and by 71% [RR 0.29 (95% CI 0.13-0.63)] in those who had previously used HRT. The significant interactions between prior use of HRT and VF risk reduction in the overall analysis population (P=0.05) and in women without prevalent VF (P=0.09), suggest a possible differential effect of raloxifene 60 mg/d on VF risk in women with and without prior HRT use. However, in women with prevalent VF, who are at higher risk of new VF, raloxifene 60 mg/d decreased the VF risk by 46% [RR 0.54 (95% CI 0.36-0.81)] in those with prior HRT use, and by 29% [RR 0.71 (95% CI 0.57-0.88)] in those with no prior history of HRT use. The interaction effect was not significant (P=0.27), suggesting that raloxifene 60 mg/d decreases VF risk to a similar extent in women with prevalent VF, irrespective of prior HRT use. In summary, raloxifene 60 mg/d significantly reduces VF risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, irrespective of prior HRT use. Women without prevalent VF who had previously used HRT may experience further reductions in VF risk.

[Programme]

 
P-215

COMPARISON OF FRACTURE, CARDIOVASCULAR, AND BREAST CANCER EVENT RATES AT 3 YEARS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH PREVALENT VERTEBRAL FRACTURES FROM THE PLACEBO GROUP OF THE MORE STUDY

S. L. Silverman1*, P. Delmas2, P. M. Kulkarni3, J. L. Stock3, M. Wong3, L. Plouffe Jr3

1University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA

2University Claude Bernard, Lyon, France

3Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Osteoporosis, cardiovascular events, and breast cancer are 3 major health concerns affecting postmenopausal women. Treatment selection should weigh the relative occurrence rates for these diseases. The current analysis examines the number of women with at least one new fracture, cardiovascular, or breast cancer event at 3 years in the placebo group of the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) trial who had a prevalent vertebral fracture [n=938, mean age 69 ±6 (SD) years]. All women were given daily calcium and vitamin D supplements. Spinal radiographs and mammograms determined vertebral fractures and breast cancer, respectively, at 2 and 3 years. At each clinic visit, subjects were asked if they had any symptoms suggestive of fracture or diagnoses of cardiovascular or breast cancer events, which were recorded as adverse events. Adjudication boards confirmed the radiographic diagnoses and self-reports to determine new cases of fracture, cardiovascular, and breast cancer events, which are reported as rates per 1000 patient-years (Table).

In these women with prevalent vertebral fractures, the occurrence of any fracture was the most common event, as expected. The rate of vertebral or clinical vertebral fracture was greater than that for hip fracture, cardiovascular, or breast cancer events. Furthermore, even though these women were at high risk of subsequent fractures, the likelihood of any cardiovascular event was approximately 3 times greater than hip fracture. In conclusion, the relative importance of clinically significant skeletal and extra-skeletal events should be considered when choosing an agent for maintenance of postmenopausal health. These data would be useful in formulating decisions regarding prevention and treatment strategies for this population.

 

Event

Event Rate/1000 patient years

Any fracture (vertebral or nonvertebral)

117.4

Vertebral fracture

77.1

Any cardiovascular (coronary or cerebrovascular)

15.1

Breast cancer (all cases)

2.6

Coronary

7.1

Breast cancer (invasive)

1.9

Clinical vertebral fracture

25.7

Hip fracture

5.8

 

[Programme]

 
P-216

STUDY OF CORRELATION OF BONE MASS BETWEEN DIFFERENT REGIONS IN AXIAL AND PERIPHERICAL SKELETON

E. López Gavilanez1*, A. Segale Bajaña2, K. Sánchez Castro3, F. Vera Vargas4

1Endocrinology Service of National Police Hospital No-2, Guayaquil, Ecuador

2Internal Medicine Service of National Police Hospital No-2, Guayaquil, Ecuador

3Endocrinology Service of APROFE, Guayaquil, Ecuador

4North Medical Unite of IESS, Guayaquil, Ecuador

The objective of our study is to stablish if a correlation exists between the axial and peripherical values of bone density in postmenopausal women.

PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured the bone density in 250 women. In the Group 1(n=107 postmenopausal women) we measured the bone density in extreme distal (RD) and ultradistal of the radius (RUD) with a team Osteometer DTX 200, and simultaneously in Lumbar Spine (LS) and Femoral Neck (FN) with a team DEXA (Hologic 1.500). In the Group 2 (n=143 women) we measure the bone density in the end distal (RD) of the radius and simultaneously in the Calcaneus (C) with a team Lunar PIXI.

The values of the bone density are expressed as units of T score. We performed a test of lineal correlation and we calculate the respective regression equation. The statistical significance is expressed as a value of p <0,05.

RESULTS: The average age was 58,6 ±10,2 years. Time of menopause: 13 ±7 years.The results of the correlations among the different regions are showed in the following chart.

CONCLUSIONS:We found a significant correlation, between the bone density in peripherical skeleton and the values found in axial skeleton in women who were studied. However the correlation and determination coefficients are moderate, that makes difficult to predict the values found in one region from the measurement in another.

 

lineal correlation

n

r

r2

p

regression equation

RUD vs LS

105

0,65

0,42

<0,05

y=-1,2979+0,67229xRUD

RUD vs FN

107

0,46

0,21

<0,05

y=-0,79256+0,44069xRUD

RD vs C

143

0,70

0,49

<0,05

y=-0,37216+0,80161xC

 

[Programme]

 
P-217

PERFORMANCE OF A NEW 10S SCAN MODE ON A DXA FAN BEAM BONE DENSITOMETER - AP SPINE AND HIP BMD CORRELATION

C. C. Ruth1*, L. A. Wierzbowski1, T. L. Kelly1, K. E. Wilson1, S. M. Nattrass2

1Hologic, Inc., Bedford, USA

2Puget Sound Osteoporosis Center, Seattle, USA

A new scanning mode, Express (Hologic, Inc.), has been developed for the Hologic Discovery QDRTM Series bone densitometer for AP Spine and Hip BMD measurements. Express scanning allows BMD assessment in 10 seconds with 30% less dose compared with the previous 30 second 'Fast' scanning mode. The Express scanning mode also has improved image processing utilizing a dynamic noise reduction algorithm which produces consistent image quality over a wide range of patient thickness. Correlation of the new mode with the previous default scanner mode is essential for use of reference data and for follow-up of patients measured after an upgrade.

Sixty women (age range 21 to 70, spine BMD range 0.63 to 1.27 g/cm2) underwent left hip and AP spine scans using both the Fast mode and the Express 10 second mode. A linear regression analysis was used to measure the correlation between the two modes for spine (L1-L4), total hip, and femoral neck regions. None of the intercepts were statistically different from zero, so the slopes reported below use an intercept restricted to zero. The slopes were not statistically different than unity. The Standard Estimate of Error (SEE) was slightly higher for the hip than the spine however all the SEE's reported are lower than the SEE's typically found in fan beam vs. pencil beam correlation. Bland-Altman analyses of the difference between Express BMD and Fast BMD vs. patient thickness and average BMD revealed no significant relationships.

In conclusion, the correlation between the new 10 second Express mode and the 30 second Fast mode is excellent. The Express mode offers improved image quality at 30% less dose and may prove more cost effective by increasing patient throughput.

 

Region

r

Slope (SD)

Intercept

SEE

AP Spine

0.99

1.003 (0.002)

N.S

0.015

Total Hip

0.98

1.002 (0.004)

N.S

0.025

Fem. Neck

0.98

1.000 (0.004)

N.S

0.023

 

[Programme]

 
P-218

NEW BONE FORMATION INDUCED BY TERIPARATIDE (RHPTH 1- 34) IS MAINTAINED BY RALOXIFENE OR ESTROGEN IN OVARIECTOMIZED RATS

H. U. Bryant1*, M. Sato1, Y. L. Ma1, G. L. Evans2, R. T. Turner2

1Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

2Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

Teriparatide (TPTD) administered once daily (SC) stimulates new bone formation and increases bone mass in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. However, following cessation of TPTD injections, bone mass declines with time. As the discontinuation of TPTD is associated with increased resorption activity, anti-resorptive agents should blunt the loss of TPTD-induced bone gain. In order to evaluate the ability of estrogen receptor based anti-resorptives to maintain bone formed after TPTD exposure, the effects of raloxifene (a selective estrogen receptor modulator) or ethynyl estradiol (EE) were evaluated in OVX rats previously treated with TPTD. 6-month-old virgin Sprague Dawley rats were OVX and permitted to develop osteopenia for 2 months, after which a 2-month TPTD (80 microg/d; SC) regimen was initiated. The TPTD regimen

produced marked increases in bone mineral density of both the distal femur and proximal tibia (58%). Following the 2 month TPTD exposure period, animals were either: 1) continued on TPTD for 2 more months, 2) discontinued from TPTD, 3) switched to raloxifene (3 mg/kg/d; PO) or estrogen (17 alpha-ethynyl estradiol; EE - 0.1 mg/kg/d; PO) for 2 months. Animals maintained on TPTD showed a continued increase in bone mass (8%), while animals discontinued from TPTD exhibited a drop in bone mass (23%). Switching to raloxifene or EE prevented the bone loss in the withdrawal group. Dynamic histomorphometric analysis of the proximal tibia revealed a marked increase in bone turnover rate (25%) following discontinuation of TPTD, which was prevented by either raloxifene or EE. Bone formation activity was elevated both by OVX and TPTD treatment, and was restored to levels observed in the sham controls by both raloxifene and EE. Serum osteocalcin levels paralleled these effects on bone formation activity, with raloxifene demonstrating even a less suppressive effect than EE. In a corollary study, pretreatment of OVX rats with raloxifene for a 2 month period, had no untoward effects on the bone formation response induced by TPTD in OVX rats. These studies demonstrate that estrogen receptor based anti-resorptives, such as raloxifene, are an attractive option for the maintenance of bone built with TPTD anabolic regimens.

[Programme]

 
P-219

INCREASE OF VASCULAR ENDOTELIAL GROWTH FACTOR (VEGF) AND DECREASE OF PAIN BY ELECTRICAL STIMULATION WITH HIGH VARIABILITY IN FREQUENCY AND AMPLITUDE (LORENZ PAT-PEND). A CLINICAL STUDY IN OSTEOPOROTIC PATIENTS WITH VERTEBRAL FRACTURES

M. Bevilacqua*, L. Baruffaldi, L. Foddis, R. Toscano, G. Baldi, T. Vago, V. Righini

Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy

Background and Aims. Administration of exogenous Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a promising new treatment to achieve neo-angiogenesis in critical limb and myocardial ischemia and to increase bone mass.

Animal studies (rats) show that endogenous VEGF can be produced in the skeletal muscle by electrical long-term (8 hrs) stimulation, with low frequency and low amplitude signals.

In humans VEGF can be increased by genetically modified plasmid injections into the ischemic muscle. Plasma level of VEGF after plasmid injections shows, however, minimal increases (2-5 pg/ml).

We have devised a new electrical system (Lorenz pat-pend) which employs continuous changes in both frequency and amplitude of electrical current to treat limb ischemia, diabetic neuropathy and pain. These signals don't induce muscle contraction.

This study was designed to investigate a possible effect of the electrical stimulation on pain and VEGF in osteoporotic patients.

Materials and Methods. Ten patients with vertebral fractures and 10 control subjects were treated with electrical stimulation, appling electrical current signals direcly on the site of vertebral crush through adhesive cutaneous electrodes. After 5 and 10 minutes of electrical stimulation, we measured VEGF plasma levels, platelet number, blood gases and hemodynamic changes.

Pain was evaluated with VAS before and after the electrical stimulation.

Results. After the first 3 applications of Lorenz, pain consistently decreased in all patients (VAS: 8 to 4; p<0,01). VEGF levels nearly doubled after 5 and 10 minutes of electrical stimulation in patients and in controls.

No effect of stimulation was observed on platelet count, blood gases and systemic hemodynamics.

Conclusion. This procedure is a simple and practical method to decrease pain and to increase endogenously VEGF levels.

Further studies are necessary to evaluate the metabolic effect on bone.

[Programme]

 
P-220

NERIDRONATE, BONE MINERAL DENSITY AND TURNOVER IN POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS: EFFECT OF DOSING INTERVAL

P. Filipponi1*, S. Cristallini1, G. Policani1, B. Frediani2, M. F. Schifini1, P. Garinei1, S. Morlunghi1

1Umbertide Regional Hospital, Center for Metabolic Bone Diseases, Perugia, Italy

2Institute of Reumathology, University of Siena, Italy

Neridronate (NER), a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate developed by Abiogen Pharma (Italy), was tested to evaluate its reliability in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. In a randomised, placebo-controlled 2-year study, 49 postmenopausal women, aged 49-72 years, with low bone mineral density (BMD) were randomly assigned to one of 2 different treatment groups with intramuscular NER: a) NER, 25 mg every 2 weeks, n=25; b) NER 25 mg/day for 6 consecutive days every 3 months, n=23. 22 postmenopausal women were used as control. Both control and NER patients received calcium and vitamin D supplement. BMD was measured with Lunar Expert every 3 months at lumbar spine (L1-4) and proximal femur. Bone turnover was evaluated by bone specific ALP (bAp) and by urinary type 1 collagen C-telopeptide (CTx), using commercial kits. Results. Intramuscular NER caused an increase in L1-4 and proximal femur BMD in all patients treated (L1-4: A=9.2±1.1; B=7.9±1.2. Total F: A=4.5±0.7; B=3.8±1.2) ). There was a sharp increase during the first 6 months of treatment but a positive trend was still evident after 2 year. Markers of bone turnover reached a nadir at 2-3 months, with a median decrease of 35-40%: suppression persisted at 24 months with both regimens. Decrease in bone turnover was faster with the 3-month regimen (B), without return towards baseline between administrations. No alteration in biochemical tests were observed, including those relating to renal function. Localized pain at the site of injection was the most frequent complain in 15 patients. Acute-phase reaction, with a slight increase in body temperature and arthromyalgia was observed in 5 patients.

Conclusion. A powerful inhibitor of bone resorption, NER, at doses of 150 mg every 3 months, significantly increases BMD at spine and hip. No significant differences in BMD and turnover were observed between 2-week and 3-month regimens. Intramuscular intermittent NER could be a valid option in the treatment of osteoporosis, expecially in women with a low compliance for oral bisphosphonate administration.

[Programme]

 
P-221

SUSTAINED SUPPRESSION OF A MARKER OF BONE FORMATION (PINP) IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN TREATED WITH ALENDRONATE FOLLOWING 18-MONTH TREATMENT WITH HRPTH 1-34

J. J. Stepan*, M. Weichetova

Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Background: Alendronate increases BMD and decreases fracture incidence over 4 yr. During yr 6 and 7, 3.3%/yr of women taking alendronate had a clinical vertebral fracture (JCEM 2000;85:3109) compared to 1.1%/yr of morphometric fractures in the first 3 yr (NEJM,1995,333;1437). In the women taking alendronate for 3 yr, the mineralisation of bone was 11% higher and the activation frequency was 91% lower than in patients on placebo (Bone 2000;27:687).

Aim. The aim of this study was to compare markers of bone remodeling in premenopausal women and in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis treated with hrPTH for 18 mo followed by alendronate (ALN) for 24 mo.

Methods. The study involved 85 healthy premenopausal women and 24 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis who participated in the clinical trial with hrPTH (7 on placebo, 9 on 20 ug and 6 on 40 ug of PTH). After discontinuation of the trial, all patients were treated with ALN (10 mg/day) for 24 mo. Serum aminoterminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP) was measured by a radioimmunoassay (Orion Diagnostica) and serum type 1 collagen crosslinked C-telopeptide (S- betaCTX) using the Elecsys (Roche).

Results. 2 yr treatment with ALN decreased serum CTX by 52% (mean 169 ng/l, 1 SD range 81-350 ng/l) below the mean premenopausal values (mean 322 ng/l, 1 SD range 254-408 ng/l) (p < 0.01) and serum PINP by 46% (mean 18.8 ug/l, 1 SD range, 10-33 ug/l) below the mean premenopausal values (mean 35.1 ug/l, 1 SD range, 24-52 ug/l) (p < 0.01). No significant differences in the concentrations of the markers of bone remodeling were found between patients previously treated with hrPTH or placebo.

Conclusion. ALN therapy following 18 mo hrPTH suppressed bone turnover to lower than premenopausal range. The effect was persistent over 2 yr of therapy. Further investigation is needed to assess the impact of such effect on the fracture risk.

p221.gif (36416 bytes)

[Programme]

 
P-222

GLUCOCORTICOID INDUCES LOW TURN OVER OSTEOPOROSIS IN GROWING MINIPIGS

S. Akahoshi1*, S. Ikeda1, Y. Morishita2, H. Tsutsumi3, M. Ito4, A. Shiraishi5, S. Arita1, M. Nagashima1, A. Sakai1, T. Nakamura1

1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan

2Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan

3Chugai Research Institute for Medical Science,INC.

4Department of Radiology, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan

5Product Research Laboratory, Chugai Parmaceutical Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan

The purpose of the present experiment was to evaluate osteoporotic changes in the skeleton by glucocorticoids in young Gottingen minipigs, an otherwise often used animal model for human disease.

Fifteen gottingen minipigs were used to 3 experimental groups when they were 8 months old: Baseline control group (BC , n=5),Control group (C, n=5) ,Glucocorticoid group (GC , n=5). Group GC received prednisolone for 6 months at 5th times/week , dose of 0.5mg/kg body weight .

Body weight , serum Ca , urine Ca , serum BAP , serum OC , urine NTX were measured at 0, 4,12, 24 weeks.

Group BC were sacrificed at day 0. Group C and GC were sacrificed at 24 weeks.

BMC and BMD were measured by DXA and pQCT. Three-dimensional microarchitecture was measured by micro-CT. Ultimate compressive load was obtained by the materials-testing machine .

Lumber body specimen were assessed histomorphometrically.

All of serum BAP , serum OC , urine NTX levels in group GC significantly decreased compared with level of them in group C.

Histomorphometrically, BFR/BS decreased.

BMD value of lumber vertebra significantly decrease mesured by DXA and pQCT.

BV/TV,Tb.Th decreased and BS/BV,SMI,TBPf increased in group GC by micro CT.

These data suggested glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis is low turnover.

In conclusion glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis in growing gottingen minipigs showed low turn over osteoporosis.

[Programme]

 
P-223

FRACTURE DISCRIMINATION BY FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF HIP DXA IMAGES

C. M. Langton1*, J. A. Thorpe2

1University of Hull, Hull, UK

2Centre for Metabolic Bone Disease, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK

Osteoporotic fracture prevention requires the reliable and early identification of those at risk, However, the mechanical strength of bone is determined not only by DXA BMD, but also by shape and structure, of which DXA BMD takes little account. Finite element analysis (FEA) is widely used in engineering and is inherently sensitive to geometry and material distribution. FEA has previously been applied to medical images, but these have for the most part been limited to complicated 3D-CT techniques that are inappropriate for routine osteoporosis diagnosis.

FEXI - the finite element analysis of radiograph images is a new technique currently under development at this Centre which is capable of applying FEA to routine DXA and radiograph images . We have applied FEXI to conventional hip DXA images of 20 subjects, 10 of whom had suffered previous low-impact fractures, and 10 of whom had not. None of the previous fractures were of the imaged femur. The images were acquired on a GE Lunar Expert-XL fan beam densitometer.

We compared the utility of FEXI derived mechanical stiffness at differentiating between fracture and non-fracture subjects with that of spine and hip BMD derived from the same DXA images. Comparisons were made by independent sample t-test (p-value) and ROC analysis (area). There were no significant differences in height, weight or age between fracture and non-fracture groups.

FEXI-derived mechanical stiffness of the hip proved superior to either spine or hip DXA at discriminating previous fracture within this small group. We now intend to assess the fracture predictive ability of FEXI by applying the technique to previously acquired DXA images for subjects for whom the subsequent fracture history is known. We have previously applied FEXI to DXA images of the forearm and are now working on higher resolution clinical radiographs and images of mechanically tested bone.

 

Measure

p

ROC Area

ROC 95% CI

     

Lower

Upper

FEXI-Stiffness

0.01*

0.80

0.60

1.00

Hip: Total BMD

0.03*

0.74

0.51

0.97

Hip: Neck BMD

0.20

0.73

0.50

0.96

Hip: Wards BMD

0.19

0.76

0.53

0.99

Spine L2-L4 BMD

0.21

0.72

0.48

0.95

(* = significant at the 95% level or better) (** For ROC analysis, Area of 0.5 = random, Area of 1 = perfect test)

 

[Programme]

 
P-224

CORRELATION BETWEEN TWO BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS OF BONE RESORPTION

C. Casarin1, A. Misiunas2*, J. Souto1, M. Mongitore1, A. Muryan1, M. Loto2, M. Hevia2, M. Moran2, M. Alonso1, G. Roccatagliata2

1Central Laboratory

2Endocrinology Service

The beta-crosslaps(BCL) and Deoxypiridinoline (DPD) are bone resorption markers. These markers come from different regions of the molecule. DPD comes from cross-links of collagen molecule, while BCL originates in the C-terminal portion of it. Measuring the beta-isomeric BCL have improved their specificity because the isomerization of aspartic acid occurs exclusively in the mature bone.

Aim of this paper: to establish the correlation between BCL and DPD; to evaluate if BCL is comparable to DPD as bone resorption marker.

Materials and Methods:48 samples were studied (2 men and 46 women)from 39-78 years (median age 59 years) from patients who visited the Hospital to evaluate osteoporosis. In all cases both markers were measured. For BCL serum samples were analyed(Electrochemiluminiscence immunoassay, Elecsys 2010, Roche) RV (post- menopausal): 150-460 picog/ml. For DPD 24 hours urine samples were analyzed (Competitive Elisa, Pyrilinks-D, Metra Biosystem) RV: (Males): 2-5.5 nanoMDeoxi/miliMCreat, (Females): 3-7.5 nanoMDeoxi/miliMCreat. For statistical analyses Spearman coefficient was used due to asimetric distribution of the variables. To evaluate the proportion of agreement between the two markers Mc Nemar test was used, transforming data in dicotomic scale and considering the following limits: For BCL: up to 460 picog/ml: Medium Low; more than 460 picog/ml: High. For DPD (Females): up to 7.5 nanoMDeoxi/miliMCreat: Medium-Low; more than 7.5 nanoMDeoxi/miliMCreat: High; (Males): up to 5.5 nanoMDeoxi/miliMCreat: Medium-Low

Results: 1-The Spearman coefficient obtained between two markers was rho: 0.291 (p=0.045). 2-The proportion of agreement between both methods (divided in High Group and Medium-Low Group)was 66.67% (32/48), being the High Group the one with highest proportion (93.8%) (Table 1). 3-Mc Nemar Test p=1 with an alfha error= 0.05.

Conclusions: 1-It was observed a low direct correlation, statistically significant, between BCL and DPD. 2- There were no statistically significant differencies between BCL and DPD as bone resorption markers, so both methods may be considered equivalent for the detection of the disease. 3-Although both methods are useful as markers of bone resorption they are not interchangable for the follow-up of the same patient.

 

 

 

 

 

DPD

   

High Goup

Medium-Low Group

Total

BCL

High Group

2

8

10

 

Medium-Low Group

8

30

38

   

10

38

48

 

[Programme]

 
P-225

BMD INCREASES EXPLAIN ONLY A SMALL PROPORTION OF NON-VERTEBRAL FRACTURE RISK REDUCTION

D. Felsenberg1*, N. Watts2, T. D. Johnson3, Z. Li3, R. Eastell4

1University Hospital Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany

2University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

3Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

4University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

It is becoming increasingly apparent that BMD increases explain only a very small proportion of the observed vertebral fracture risk reduction with anti-resorptive agents. In the present work, we examined the relationship between changes in lumbar spine (LS) or femoral neck (FN) BMD and osteoporosis-related nonvertebral fracture risk reduction in postmenopausal women.

The analysis included patients from the two risedronate VERT studies who were enrolled in the trials on the basis of low LS BMD (T-score < -2.0) and at least one prevalent vertebral fracture or at least two prevalent vertebral fractures. Patients were randomized to receive either risedronate 5 mg or placebo daily. Patients also received 1000 mg/day calcium supplementation and vitamin-D, if baseline levels were low.

The risk reduction by risedronate 5 mg treatment over 3 years was estimated to be 35% (95% CI=11%, 52%). The mean BMD percent increases over placebo at endpoint were 4.6% at lumbar spine and 2.6% at femoral neck. The analysis revealed a non-linear relationship between BMD increases and nonvertebral fracture risk reductions. The proportion of nonvertebral fracture risk reduction explained by the BMD increases over 3 years (5mg vs. placebo) was estimated to be 12.2% (95% CI=5.7%, 26.1%) for lumbar spine and 5.5% (95% CI=2.6%, 11.9%) for femoral neck.

The relationship between BMD increases and nonvertebral fracture risk reduction is non-linear. BMD increases observed during risedronate therapy only explain a small portion of the non-vertebral osteoporosis-related fracture risk reduction. Other possible factors, which contribute to anti-fracture effects may include maintenance of bone microarchitecture and improved bone quality.

[Programme]

 
P-226

CALCANEAL QUANTITATIVE ULTRASOUND AS A SELECTIVE PRE-SCREEN FOR BONE MINERAL DENSITOMETRY - ASIAN NORMATIVE DATA

Y. W. Lim1,2,3*, K. S. Lam1,4,5

1National University of Singapore, Singapore

2Members of Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, England

3School of Postgraduate Study, Singapore

4Fellow of Royal College of Edinburg, England

5Fellow of Academy of Medicine, Singapore

Introduction: In Singapore, as in the rest of Asia, osteoporosis will become an increasingly important public health problem. In 50 years, more than half of all hip fractures are projected to occur in Asia. The burden of osteoporosis lies not only in individuals but also with society. Population screening using bone densitometry is not cost effective and clinical risk factors assessment is not sensitive. Results from 4 prospective studies have shown that quantitative ultrasound measurements of the heel can predict the risk of fractures in elderly patients. However according to United States Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Guidance Document dated June 21 2001, Caucasian female normative reference databases has no role in fracture risk assessment for different ethnic group and genders. As there are currently no Asian normative values available for this purpose, we therefore embarked in this study to establish a normative reference database for Asian Male and Asian Female. We also included a cost comparison table for screening a group of 100 women age 50 to 59 years old for osteoporosis using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and quantitative ultrasound.

Method: Compilation of the local database is based on 366 healthy females and 236 healthy males, measuring the left heel Broadband Ultrasonic Attenuation (BUA) using the Contact Ultrasound Bone Analyser clinical system.

Results:

(See Table)

Therefore the Asian's BUA is significantly lower than the Caucasian.

Our analysis also showed a cost saving of 44% if quantitative ultrasound was used as a screening tool before subjecting them to DEXA scan

Conclusion: The study shows that the Asian population has a significant lower BUA normative value than the Caucasian population. With this local reference database obtained, it will allow for more accurate determination of the at-risk group and thus not under-select them for DEXA referral.

Furthermore using BUA as a selective pre-screening tool for DEXA can help reduce cost by 44%.

 

Age

Male Asian BUA

Male Caucasian BUA

Female Asian BUA

Female Caucasian BUA

20-29

94.07

96.52

85.75

89.57

30-39

88.36

93.09

79.90

84.10

40-49

82.65

89.65

74.05

78.64

50-59

76.94

86.22

68.20

73.17

60-69

71.22

82.79

62.34

67.70

70-79

65.51

79.36

56.49

62.24

>80

59.80

75.92

50.64

56.77

 

[Programme]

 
P-227

INDIVIDUAL PATIENTS DATA (IPD) ANALYSIS IS APPROPRIATE IN EVALUATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BMD AND VERTEBRAL FRACTURE RISK REDUCTION WITH BISPHOSPHONATES

P. D. Delmas1*, Z. Li2, C. Cooper3

1INSERM, Research Unit 403, Lyon, France

2Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

3Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK

Inconsistent results have been reported regarding the anti-fracture efficacy explained by BMD in the treatment of osteoporosis with anti-resorptive drugs. Meta- analyses based on summary statistics concluded that larger BMD increases were associated with greater reductions in fracture risk (Wasnich, 2000; Hochberg, 2002). By contrast, analyses based on IPD reported that only 4%-28% of the fracture risk reductions were explained by BMD increases (Cummings, 2002; Sakar, 2002, Li, 2001). This study evaluates the proportion of vertebral fracture risk reduction that could be explained by LS BMD increase, comparing analyses based upon IPD vs. summary statistics.

Studies from Wasnich and Miller meta-analysis were included. As IPD were not available for fractures and lumbar spine BMD, they were simulated to match the reported summary statistics. In the simulation, whether a patient sustained a fracture was simulated from a binomial distribution with probability of sustaining a fracture equal to the observed incidence for each treatment group. The LS BMD increase for each patient was simulated from a normal distribution with mean equal to the observed mean for that treatment group. We considered 2 scenarios where 0% or 25% fracture risk reduction were explained by LS BMD increases. We applied a Poisson regression model to both the IPD and summary statistics. Results based on the averages of 100 simulations are provided in the table below.

Overall fracture risk reductions were comparable, validating the simulation. In both scenarios, the proportion of fracture risk reduction explained by LS BMD increase was very close to the true proportion when analysis was based on IPD. By contrast, analyses based on summary statistics provided a much higher estimate.

In conclusion, analysis based on IPD is more appropriate in estimating the fracture risk reduction explained by a surrogate. Using this approach, increases in LS BMD explains a small part of the anti-fracture efficacy.

 

 

 

IPD

Summary stats

IPD

summary stats

Overall risk reduction (SD)

34.0% (2.5)

36.6% (2.5)

35.0% (2.3)

36.8% (2.5)

True proportion

0%

0%

25%

25%

Estimated proportion (SD)

3.6% (4.7)

46.2% (13.1)

24.1% (3.9)

51.4% (12.1)

 

[Programme]

 
P-228

LONG-TERM BONE LOSS AFTER RENAL TRANSPLANTATION

J. Heaf1, E. Tvedegaard1*, I-L. Kanstrup2, N. Fogh-Andersen3

1Dpt of Nefrology, Herlev University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark

2Dpt. of Clinical Physiology, Herlev University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark

3Dpt. of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark

Accelerated bone loss following renal transplantation is well described, whereas factors affecting the long term outcome have received less attention.

114 renal transplant recipients were examined 3.4 years(mean) after transplantation and reexamined 3 years later with whole body (WB),lumbar spine (LS)and femoral neck(FN) bone mineral density. The registered percentage change/year was correlated to a number of clinical and biochemical factors associated with bone metabolism.

Mean duration of transplantation at second examination was 7.3 years.The mean age of the patients was 49.9 years and 43% were females. Initial prednisolone dose was 1.5 mg/kg bw/day, tapered to 20 mg after 3 weeks and to 10 mg/d after 2 months. Azathioprine dose was initially 2 mg/kg bw/d and Sandimmun Neoral(CyA) was administered b.i.d. with a target whole blood trough level of 200-250 nanog/ml initially and 100-150 after 6 months. Antilymphocytic antibodies were included as induction therapy. A few patients were switched to tacrolimus and/or mycophenolate mofetil because of side effects or rejection.

Correlations and multiple regression analysis were performed.

Results: percent change per year of WB was -0.7(p<0.01),LS -0.3(NS) and FN - 1.0(p<0.01). Corrected for expected loss for age and sex :WB -0.5(p<0.01),LS 0.0(NS) and FN -0.8(p<0.01). Increased bone loss rates in LS were associated with short duration of transplantation, high prednisolone dose, high CyA concentration, high PTH, high alkaline phosphatase and high osteocalcin. During the study period biochemical variables changed but little and renal function was stable (se-creatinine increased by mean 25 micromol/l and creatinine clearance by 2.6 ml/min). No significant change in PTH occurred, half of the patients having increased PTH levels. Bone loss was greatest during the first 2 years after transplantation and major correlates included prednisolone dose, PTH, osteocalcin and alkaline phosfatase. Patients treated with vitamin D gained bone and untreated patients with initial low 1.25-vitamin D levels had excess bone loss.

Conclusions : Excess bone loss continues many years after renal transplantation with steroid therapy and persistent hyperparathyroidism as the major causes.

[Programme]

 
P-229

FOSAMAX IN A THERAPY OF OSTEOPOROSIS

S. Sokolovic*, F. Gavrankapetanovic, E. Kucukalic, I. Gavrankapetanovic, B. Hadzihasanovic, J. Dizdarevic, D. Avdic, I. Hizar

Clinic for heart and rheumatic diseases, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

INTRODUCTION: The bisphosphonates are pyrophosphate's analogs with great bone binding affinity. Alendronate (ALN) i.e. Fosamax is one of the most potent bisphosphonates for the therapy of osteoporosis. It acts through the inhibition of osteoclasts and such the bone resorption is prevented. Also, ALN increase the bone mass and prevent femur and spine from fractures.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiacy and adverse effects of ALN i.e. Fosamax in patients demonstrating established osteoporosis

MATERIAL AND METHOD: The open clinical randomized prospective study was designed. The total of 66 patients were seleected in two groups. The postmenopausal osteoporosis and glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis groups were asigned to receive fosamax 10 mg as morning dose plus 500 mg calcium at bed time. The bone mineral density test i.e. T score has been done on baseline, 3 an d 6 months after using diagnostic procedure. The patients were instructed for safe drug administration procedure. The statistical analysis was done on each and between both groups.

RESULTS: This study demonstrate a significant positive results on T-score in both treated groups after 3 and 6 months of treatment. No fractures were occured in either group. The drug adverse events were unsignificant and mild, mainly gastrointestinal.

CONCLUSION: The expirience we obtained from this study gave us justification to introduce and treat osteoporotic patients with alendronate i.e. fosamax on our population which will bring osteoporosis under control to some extent. The postmenopausal and glucocorticoid osteoporosis benefit from this therapy.

[Programme]

 
P-230

EFFECTS OF RALOXIFENE ON VERTEBRAL AND NONVERTEBRAL FRACTURES IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH OSTEOPOROSIS WITH MULTIPLE (GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 2) PREVALENT VERTEBRAL FRACTURES

J. Farrerons1*, G. Isaia2, A. Renau1, G. Crans3, M. Wong3, D. Thiebaud3

1Sta Creu i San Pau Hospital, Autonomous University, Barcelona, Spain

2University of Torino, Torino, Italy

3Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Raloxifene significantly reduces the risk of new vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women, irrespective of the severity of osteoporosis. Raloxifene was previously shown to reduce the risk of new nonvertebral fractures by 47% [Osteoporos Int 2002; 13: 521] in a subgroup of women with the most severe grade of baseline vertebral fracture, defined as greater than 40% height loss in at least 1 vertebra. The effect of raloxifene has not been characterized in other subgroups of women with severe osteoporosis. The present analysis examines the effects of raloxifene on the risk of new vertebral and nonvertebral fractures in women with multiple (greater than or equal to 2) prevalent vertebral fractures enrolled in the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) trial. A total of 1369 (placebo, n=452; pooled raloxifene, n=917) postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (mean age 69.1 years) had at least 2 vertebral fractures at baseline. Vertebral fractures were determined in spinal radiographs taken at baseline, 2, and 3 years. Reports of new nonvertebral fractures (clavicle, humerus, wrist, pelvis, hip and leg) were confirmed with radiographs. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the placebo and raloxifene groups. At 3 years, 28.0% of women in the placebo group and 18.6% of those in the pooled raloxifene group had new vertebral fractures [relative risk (RR) 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54, 0.82]. New nonvertebral fractures occurred in 10.4% and 7.2% of women in the placebo and raloxifene groups, respectively. In women with multiple (greater than or equal to 2) prevalent vertebral fractures, raloxifene significantly decreased the risk of new nonvertebral fractures by 31% [RR 0.69 (95% CI 0.48, 0.99)]. In summary, raloxifene reduces the risk of new vertebral and nonvertebral fractures in a subgroup of women with severe osteoporosis, who had multiple baseline vertebral fractures.

[Programme]

 
P-231

BONE REMODELING SUPPRESSION AFTER ONE-YEAR TREATMENT WITH RISEDRONATE IN A GROUP OF VENEZUELAN OSTEOPOROTIC PATIENTS

G. Riera-Espinoza*, G. Velásquez, J. Ramos

UNILIME-UC. Universidad de Carabobo, Hospital Universitario Dr. Angel Larralde, I.V.S.S. Valencia, Venezuela

Suppression of bone remodeling is one of the goals of osteoporosis treatment. Recent scientific reports show high correlation between effect of fracture risk and decrease of bone markers after the use of antiresorptive drugs. The aim of this study is to show the change in bone markers after one-year treatment with Risedronate in a group of Venezuelan osteoporotic patients

32 postmenopausal women with Type I osteoporosis received 5 mg/day of Risedronate on empty stomach in the morning during one year. All received calcium citrate supplements, 650 mg/day. Bone Mineral Density, BMD was assessed by DEXA (LUNAR Prodigy. VC: 1.5), Biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured as follow: NTx, Osteomark, Ostex, Seattle, USA. Tartrate Resistant Acid Phosphatase,TRAP: Hydrolysis of paranitrophenyl phosphate at 4.8 pH. Total Alkaline Phosphatase, TAP: Labtest, Roy modified.

Mean age was 64 ±7.6 (50-83), Age of menopause was 48 ±5.83 (36-58). Initial BMD values were: lumbar spine (L2-L4): 0.869 ±0.12 g/cm2, femoral neck: 0.741 ±0.11 g/cm2. After one year BMD values were: lumbar spine (L2-L4): 0.888 ±0.13 g/cm2, femoral neck: 0.755 ±0.11 g/cm2. The increased in BMD was 2.37% in L2- L4, p<0.01 and 1.78% in femoral neck p=0.09. Initial and 1 year NTx values were: 141,1 ±78 and 82.6 ±55 nmolBCE/mmolCreat. p<0.01, Total Alkaline Phosphatase: 47.2 ±11 and 33,5 ±10 UI/L, p<0.001, TRAP: 9.49 ±3.6 and 7.8 ±2 UI/L, p<0.05. Percentual change for each marker was: NTx -41.3%, TAP -24.1% and TRAP -17.3%. Also significant change in bone markers (<30% in urine NTx or >15% in TAP and/or TRAP) was achieved in 63.6% of our patients

In conclusion the use of 5 mg/day during one year of Risedronate decrease bone markers significantly; NTx -41.3%, TAP -24.1% and TRAP -17.3%

[Programme]

 
P-232

HIP FRACTURES IN PATIENTS WITH NEUROLOGIC IMPAIRMENT: FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY AND LENGTH OF STAY

M. Di Monaco1*, F. Vallero1, R. Di Monaco2, F. Mautino1, A. Cavanna1

1Osteoporosis Research Center, Presidio Sanitario San Camillo, Torino, Italy

2IRES L. Morosini, Torino, Italy

Patients with neurologic impairment are at high risk of both falls and loss of bone mass and have up to a 4-fold increased risk of hip fracture. Rehabilitation after hip fracture might be less effective in the patients with neurologic impairment; however very few authors specifically focused on the functional recovery in these patients and no study evaluated all the subjects with neurologic impairment admitted to a rehabilitation hospital in the same sample of hip-fractured patients. We retrospectively investigated 643 white inpatients with hip fracture consecutively admitted to our rehabilitation hospital. 30 of the 643 patients were excluded as they were affected by fractures caused by either cancer or major trauma. 36 patients were excluded as they could not complete rehabilitation. The final study sample included 577 patients. 71 of the 577 were affected by neurologic impairment caused by stroke with hemiplegia (n=37), Parkinson's disease (n=25) or other diseases (n=9). Barthel index on admission was significantly lower in the patients with neurologic impairment: 35.05 ±19.15 (mean ±SD) versus 45.85 ±19.55 (difference between groups 10.8; 95%CI 5.9-15.6; p<0.001). Similar results were observed when Barthel index on discharge was assessed: 65.35 ±21.5 versus 77.15 ±22.7 (difference between groups 11.8; 95%CI 6.2-17.4; p<0.001). The length of stay was significantly higher in the patients with neurologic impairment: 3.84 days (95%CI 0.51-7.17; p<0.05). Eight confounding variables were evaluated: age, sex, fracture type, surgical procedure, cognitive impairment, pressure sores, infections and number of concomitant diseases. Multiple regression showed that the associations between neurologic impairment and both low Barthel index score and high length of stay were independent of the confounding variables. On the contrary, the mean increase in Barthel index through the course of rehabilitation was not affected by neurologic impairment. Subgroup analyses did not show any significant differences among the three groups of patients with different neurologic diseases. In conclusion, following hip fractures the presence of neurologic impairment was associated with lower Barthel index and higher length of stay, but it did not affect the increase in Barthel index due to a course of rehabilitation.

[Programme]

 
P-233

HIP AXIS LENGTH MEASURED WITH FAN-BEAM DXA PREDICTS HIP FRACTURE

K. G. Faulkner1*, H. S. Barden1, H. Bui1, P. K. Burke2

1GE Medical Systems Lunar, Madison, WI, USA

2Osteoporosis Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Richmond, VA, USA

Previous studies have shown that a long hip axis length (HAL) is related to an increased risk for hip fracture, independent of age and bone density. However, most of these studies were performed on older pencil-beam densitometers, which are not subject to magnification effects. To evaluate whether fan-beam measurements of HAL are associated with hip fracture risk, we obtained DXA scans (Lunar Prodigy, GE Medical Systems) of the proximal femur on 980 white women aged 70 to 89 years. The Prodigy uses a multi-view fan-beam to accurately measure length without the need for body size corrections. Measurements of HAL and femoral BMD (neck, upper neck, and total) of the 38 women with previous hip fracture were compared to the same measurements in 942 non-fractured controls.

There were no significant differences in age or height between fracture and control subjects. Hip fracture subjects weighed less and had a longer HAL compared to controls. HAL was correlated with height (r = 0.48, p<0.001) and weight (r = 0.26, p<0.001), but not age (r = 0.05, p=0.14) or BMD (r=0.03, p=0.36). Each standard deviation (6mm) increase in HAL was associated with a 1.6-fold increase in hip fracture risk. The relationship between HAL and fracture persisted after adjustment for age, femoral neck BMD, height, and weight (OR 1.5). Decreasing femoral BMD at all regions was also associated with an increase in hip fracture risk.

We conclude that HAL measured with a multi-view fan-beam DXA system predicts hip fractures in elderly Caucasian women, independent of age, height, weight, and BMD. Hip axis length in subjects with hip fracture was significantly longer than in controls. All femur BMD variables were significantly lower in hip fracture subjects compared to controls. Each 10-mm increase in HAL was associated with a 2-fold increase in hip fracture risk.

 

Measurement

Hip Fracture

Controls

OR per SD (95% CI)

Age (years)

77.5

76.2

NS

Height (cm)

159

158

NS

Weight (kg)

60.7*

64.1

NS

HAL (mm)

107.6**

104.9

1.6 (1.1 - 2.3)

Neck BMD (g/cm2)

0.672**

0.747

2.4 (1.6 - 3.6)

Upper Neck BMD (g/cm2)

0.519**

0.589

2.6 (1.7 - 4.2)

Total BMD (g/cm2)

0.684**

0.787

2.4 (1.7 - 3.4)

*p<0.05; **p<0.01 compared to controls

 

[Programme]

 
P-234

SPINE BMD MEASUREMENTS WITH AND WITHOUT CONVENTIONAL LEG ELEVATION

C. Simonelli*, J. J. Monk, M. Schoeller

HealthEast Clinics, Woodbury, MN, USA

Current procedure for measuring lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) using DXA requires the legs to be elevated to flatten the lower spine, with the intent of yielding more accurate and precise BMD values. We investigated whether not elevating the legs has a significant impact on spine BMD accuracy and precision.

Forty subjects were scanned six times at the lumbar spine (Lunar Prodigy, GE Medical Systems). Three scans used standard positioning with the legs elevated on the spine block positioner supplied by the manufacturer. The other three scans were done without the spine positioner, with the legs flat on the scan table and feet secured with the dual femur positioner. Subjects were repositioned between the scan positions. The influence of leg position on L1-L4 BMD was compared using ANOVA, and the precision error (%CV) was calculated for both positions.

There were no appreciable visual differences between the scans performed with the legs up or down; disc spaces and vertebral bodies appeared identical. There was a small, but statistically significant, difference of 1.5% in L1-L4 BMD between legs up and legs down values (p < 0.01). In most subjects, BMD values were higher with the legs down. Precision was excellent in both positions (0.96% CV vs. 0.92% CV, legs up and down, respectively).

Linear regression analysis confirmed that BMD measurements with legs up and down were highly correlated (r = 0.99), with slope near unity (0.93), an intercept near zero (0.07) and an SEE of 0.018 g/cm2 (1.8%). Because of the high correlation between BMD values, mathematical adjustments were determined to produce comparable T-scores between the two measurements. After adjustment, T-scores were virtually identical in scans performed in the two positions.

We conclude that differences in BMD from measuring the spine with legs positioned for a femur scan are small (1% to 2%), and there is no effect on precision. With appropriate adjustment, T-scores for spine scans measured with the legs down are equivalent to those obtained with legs up. Use of a legs-down position for spine scans would result in considerable time saved for both patient and clinic.

[Programme]

 
P-235

COMPUTER ASSISTED DENSITOMETRY: AUTOMATED ASSESSMENT FOR DXA LUMBAR SPINE ANALYSIS

H. S. Barden, K. G. Faulkner*

GE Medical Systems Lunar, Madison, WI, USA

Bone densitometry systems automatically analyze lumbar spine scans and calculate bone mineral density (BMD). However, some vertebrae with unusual BMD characteristics due to osteoarthritis, fracture, or other conditions, should be excluded from analysis. Computer Assisted Densitometry (CAD) provided by the Lunar Prodigy (GE Medical Systems) helps the user determine when to review a scan and exclude vertebrae from analysis and diagnosis. We studied various criteria for the assessment of lumbar spine scans.

Visual examination of 231 female spine scans measured with Prodigy found confounding conditions that could influence results: focal areas of unusually high BMD (n=63), high density due to end-plate calcification (n=11), collapsed or crushed vertebrae (n=8), unusual spinal curvature (n=2). Exclusion criteria proposed recently include: a) focal structural abnormalities, b) failure of BMC or area to increase from L1 to L4, c) T-score differences >1 SD between adjacent vertebrae [1]. We studied the ability of three criteria to identify vertebrae with confounding conditions: 1) T-score differences between adjacent vertebrae, 2) T-score differences between L1-L4 average and individual vertebrae, 3) increase in BMC and Area with each vertebral level.

Results showed the best criterion for identifying vertebrae with confounding conditions was a T-Score difference >0.9 SD between L1-L4 mean and individual vertebrae, with specificity and sensitivity of 82%. We conclude that a criterion based on T-score differences provides the best method to identify spine scans for review. CAD programs with sensitive exclusion criteria should improve accurate clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis.

1. J Clin Densitometry 2002:5 (Suppl) S11-S17.

 

TABLE 1: SENSITIVITY OF EXCLUSION CRITERIA BASED ON T-SCORE DIFFERENCES AND ON L1 TO L4 TREND

 

Adjacent T-Score Differences

L1-L4 vs. Individual T- Score Differences

L1 to L4 Trend

 

T>1.0

T>1.5

T>2.0

T>0.7

T>0.8

T>0.9

T=>1

BMC up-up- up

Area up-up- up

BMD up- up-up

BMD up-up- down

Specificity

64%

93%

98%

61%

72%

82%

91%

68%

69%

26%

43%

Sensitivity

83%

56%

21%

89%

81%

82%

68%

43%

38%

70%

65%

[More Osteoporosis: Evaluation and Treatment Abstracts]