Influence of fall related factors and bone strength on fracture risk in the frail elderly

A meta-analysis of previous falls and subsequent fracture risk in cohort studies

The relationship between self-reported falls and fracture risk was estimated in an international meta-analysis of individual-level data from 46 prospective cohorts. Previous falls were associated with an increased fracture risk in women and men and should be considered as an additional risk factor in the FRAX® algorithm.

INTRODUCTION

Previous falls are a well-documented risk factor for subsequent fracture but have not yet been incorporated into the FRAX algorithm. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in an international meta-analysis, the association between previous falls and subsequent fracture risk and its relation to sex, age, duration of follow-up, and bone mineral density (BMD).

METHODS

The resource comprised 906,359 women and men (66.9% female) from 46 prospective cohorts. Previous falls were uniformly defined as any fall occurring during the previous year in 43 cohorts; the remaining three cohorts had a different question construct. The association between previous falls and fracture risk (any clinical fracture, osteoporotic fracture, major osteoporotic fracture, and hip fracture) was examined using an extension of the Poisson regression model in each cohort and each sex, followed by random-effects meta-analyses of the weighted beta coefficients.

RESULTS

Falls in the past year were reported in 21.4% of individuals. During a follow-up of 9,102,207 person-years, 87,352 fractures occurred of which 19,509 were hip fractures. A previous fall was associated with a significantly increased risk of any clinical fracture both in women (hazard ratio (HR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33-1.51) and men (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.41-1.67). The HRs were of similar magnitude for osteoporotic, major osteoporotic fracture, and hip fracture. Sex significantly modified the association between previous fall and fracture risk, with predictive values being higher in men than in women (e.g., for major osteoporotic fracture, HR 1.53 (95% CI 1.27-1.84) in men vs. HR 1.32 (95% CI 1.20-1.45) in women, P for interaction = 0.013). The HRs associated with previous falls decreased with age in women and with duration of follow-up in men and women for most fracture outcomes. There was no evidence of an interaction between falls and BMD for fracture risk. Subsequent risk for a major osteoporotic fracture increased with each additional previous fall in women and men.

CONCLUSIONS

A previous self-reported fall confers an increased risk of fracture that is largely independent of BMD. Previous falls should be considered as an additional risk factor in future iterations of FRAX to improve fracture risk prediction.

Does locomotive syndrome severity predict future fragility fractures in community-dwelling women with osteoporosis?

OBJECTIVES

We investigated whether the locomotive syndrome (LS) severity affects future fragility fractures in osteoporosis patients.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, 315 women with osteoporosis (mean follow-up period, 2.8 years) were reviewed, of whom 244 were included in the analysis. At baseline, we obtained medical information, bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and femoral neck, and sagittal vertical axis. Additionally, LS risk was assessed using the two-step test, stand-up test, and 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale scores. The LS risk test results were used to classify LS severity, which was rated on a 4-point scale from stage 0 (robust) to 3 (worsening). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine the association of the severity with future fragility fracture.

RESULTS

Fragility fractures occurred in 37 of 315 participants (11.8%). This study showed that sagittal vertical axis (hazard ratio = 1.014; 95% confidence interval, 1.005-1.023; p value = 0.003) and LS severity (hazard ratio =1.748; 95% confidence interval, 1.133-2.699; p = 0.012) were independent risk factors for incidence of fragility fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed the LS severity to predicted fragility fractures. We suggested that the progression of LS associated with osteoporosis increases the fracture risk.

Sagittal alignment cut-off values for predicting future fall-related fractures in community-dwelling osteoporotic women

PURPOSE

Determining the optimal cut-off value of sagittal alignment for detecting osteoporotic patients at high risk for fall-related fractures is essential for understanding fracture risk and informing clinicians and physical therapists. We determined the optimal cut-off value of sagittal alignment for detecting osteoporotic patients at high risk for fall-related fractures in this study.

METHODS

In the retrospective cohort study, we enrolled a total of 255 women aged ≥ 65 years who visited an outpatient osteoporosis clinic. We measured participants' bone mineral density and sagittal alignment, including sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic tilt, thoracic kyphosis, pelvic incidence, lumbar lordosis, global tilt, and gap score at the initial visit. The cut-off value for sagittal alignment that was significantly associated with fall-related fractures was calculated after using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

RESULTS

Ultimately, 192 patients were included in the analysis. After a mean follow-up of 3.0 years, 12.0% (n = 23) had fractures due to falls. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that SVA (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.022, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.005-1.039) was the only independent predictor of fall-related fracture occurrence. The predictive ability of SVA for the occurrence of fall-related fractures was moderate (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.728, 95% CI = 0.623-0.834), with a cut-off value of 100 mm for SVA. SVA classified by cut-off value was also associated with an increased risk of developing fall-related fractures (HR = 17.002, 95% CI = 4.102-70.475).

CONCLUSION

We found that assessing the cut-off value of sagittal alignment would be useful information in understanding fracture risk in postmenopausal older women.

Adjusting conventional FRAX estimates of fracture probability according to the number of prior falls in the preceding year

A greater propensity to falling is associated with higher fracture risk. This study provides adjustments to FRAX-based fracture probabilities accounting for the number of prior falls.

INTRODUCTION

Prior falls increase subsequent fracture risk but are not currently directly included in the FRAX tool. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of the number of prior falls on the 10-year probability of fracture determined with FRAX®.

METHODS

We studied 21,116 women and men age 40 years or older (mean age 65.7 ± 10.1 years) with fracture probability assessment (FRAX®), self-reported falls for the previous year, and subsequent fracture outcomes in a registry-based cohort. The risks of death, hip fracture, and non-hip major osteoporotic fracture (MOF-NH) were determined by Cox proportional hazards regression for fall number category versus the whole population (i.e., an average number of falls). Ten-year probabilities of hip fracture and major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) were determined according to the number of falls from the hazards of death and fracture incorporated into the FRAX model for the UK. The probability ratios (number of falls vs. average number of falls) provided adjustments to conventional FRAX estimates of fracture probability according to the number of falls.

RESULTS

Compared with the average number of falls, the hazard ratios for hip fracture, MOF-NH and death were lower than unity in the absence of a fall history. Hazard ratios increased progressively with an increasing number of reported falls. The probability ratio rose progressively as the number of reported falls increased. Probability ratios decreased with age, an effect that was more marked the greater the number of prior falls.

CONCLUSION

The probability ratios provide adjustments to conventional FRAX estimates of fracture probability according to the number of prior falls.

Sagittal alignment cut-off values for predicting future fall-related fractures in community-dwelling osteoporotic women

PURPOSE

Determining the optimal cut-off value of sagittal alignment for detecting osteoporotic patients at high risk for fall-related fractures is essential for understanding fracture risk and informing clinicians and physical therapists. We determined the optimal cut-off value of sagittal alignment for detecting osteoporotic patients at high risk for fall-related fractures in this study.

METHODS

In the retrospective cohort study, we enrolled a total of 255 women aged ≥ 65 years who visited an outpatient osteoporosis clinic. We measured participants' bone mineral density and sagittal alignment, including sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic tilt, thoracic kyphosis, pelvic incidence, lumbar lordosis, global tilt, and gap score at the initial visit. The cut-off value for sagittal alignment that was significantly associated with fall-related fractures was calculated after using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

RESULTS

Ultimately, 192 patients were included in the analysis. After a mean follow-up of 3.0 years, 12.0% (n = 23) had fractures due to falls. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that SVA (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.022, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.005-1.039) was the only independent predictor of fall-related fracture occurrence. The predictive ability of SVA for the occurrence of fall-related fractures was moderate (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.728, 95% CI = 0.623-0.834), with a cut-off value of 100 mm for SVA. SVA classified by cut-off value was also associated with an increased risk of developing fall-related fractures (HR = 17.002, 95% CI = 4.102-70.475).

CONCLUSION

We found that assessing the cut-off value of sagittal alignment would be useful information in understanding fracture risk in postmenopausal older women.

Update of the fracture risk prediction tool FRAX: a systematic review of potential cohorts and analysis plan

We describe the collection of cohorts together with the analysis plan for an update of the fracture risk prediction tool FRAX with respect to current and novel risk factors. The resource comprises 2,138,428 participants with a follow-up of approximately 20 million person-years and 116,117 documented incident major osteoporotic fractures.

INTRODUCTION

The availability of the fracture risk assessment tool FRAX® has substantially enhanced the targeting of treatment to those at high risk of fracture with FRAX now incorporated into more than 100 clinical osteoporosis guidelines worldwide. The aim of this study is to determine whether the current algorithms can be further optimised with respect to current and novel risk factors.

METHODS

A computerised literature search was performed in PubMed from inception until May 17, 2019, to identify eligible cohorts for updating the FRAX coefficients. Additionally, we searched the abstracts of conference proceedings of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, European Calcified Tissue Society and World Congress of Osteoporosis. Prospective cohort studies with data on baseline clinical risk factors and incident fractures were eligible.

RESULTS

Of the 836 records retrieved, 53 were selected for full-text assessment after screening on title and abstract. Twelve cohorts were deemed eligible and of these, 4 novel cohorts were identified. These cohorts, together with 60 previously identified cohorts, will provide the resource for constructing an updated version of FRAX comprising 2,138,428 participants with a follow-up of approximately 20 million person-years and 116,117 documented incident major osteoporotic fractures. For each known and candidate risk factor, multivariate hazard functions for hip fracture, major osteoporotic fracture and death will be tested using extended Poisson regression. Sex- and/or ethnicity-specific differences in the weights of the risk factors will be investigated. After meta-analyses of the cohort-specific beta coefficients for each risk factor, models comprising 10-year probability of hip and major osteoporotic fracture, with or without femoral neck bone mineral density, will be computed.

CONCLUSIONS

These assembled cohorts and described models will provide the framework for an updated FRAX tool enabling enhanced assessment of fracture risk (PROSPERO (CRD42021227266)).

Association with sagittal alignment and osteoporosis-related fractures in outpatient women with osteoporosis

The baseline sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and pelvic tilt (PT) are independent risk factors of osteoporosis-related fractures in women with osteoporosis. We clarified the SVA and PT to predict the incidence of osteoporosis-related fractures.

PURPOSE

Sagittal alignment with osteoporosis women deteriorates with advancing age and sagittal alignment may indicate osteoporosis-related fractures in the future. However, whether the sagittal alignment predicts future osteoporosis-related fracture in patients with osteoporosis has not been clarified. We aimed to investigate the association between sagittal alignment and future osteoporosis-related fractures.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study. Of the 313 participants (mean follow-up period, 2.9 years), 236 were included in the analysis. At baseline, we measured bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and the femoral neck, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), thoracic kyphosis, pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, pelvic tilt (PT), geriatric locomotive function scale (GLFS), two-step value, and stand-up test. The information on medications and the duration of treatment were reviewed from the medical records. Additionally, participants reported their history of falls at baseline. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association of future osteoporosis-related fracture, and adjusted Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated with all predictors as covariates. All continuous variables were calculated using standardized OR (sOR).

RESULTS

Osteoporosis-related fractures occurred in 33 of 313 participants (10.5%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a history of falls (OR =4.092, 95% CI: 1.029-16.265, p =0.045), SVA (sOR =4.228, 95% CI: 2.118-8.439, p <0.001), and PT (sOR =2.497, 95% CI: 1.087-5.733, p =0.031) were independent risk factors for future osteoporosis-related fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed the SVA and PT to predict osteoporosis-related fractures.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE OF REGISTRATION

UMIN000036516 (April 1, 2019).

Guideline No. 422g: Menopause and Osteoporosis

OBJECTIVE

Provide strategies for improving the care of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women based on the most recent published evidence.

TARGET POPULATION

Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS

Target population will benefit from the most recent published scientific evidence provided via the information from their health care provider. No harms or costs are involved with this information since women will have the opportunity to choose among the different therapeutic options for the management of the symptoms and morbidities associated with menopause, including the option to choose no treatment.

EVIDENCE

Databases consulted were PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library for the years 2002-2020, and MeSH search terms were specific for each topic developed through the 7 chapters.

VALIDATION METHODS

The authors rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. See online Appendix A (Tables A1 for definitions and A2 for interpretations of strong and weak recommendations). INTENDED AUDIENCE: physicians, including gynaecologists, obstetricians, family physicians, internists, emergency medicine specialists; nurses, including registered nurses and nurse practitioners; pharmacists; medical trainees, including medical students, residents, fellows; and other providers of health care for the target population.

SUMMARY STATEMENTS

RECOMMENDATIONS.

High prevalence of missed information related on bone health in orthogeriatric patients with fragility fractures of the pelvis-an institutional register-based analysis

This is the first study that highlighted the amount of missed information related on bone health in orthogeriatric patients suffering fragility fractures of the pelvis and also evaluated its prevalence and differing etiology in the assessed patients, regarding osteoporosis and/or osteomalacia, based on laboratory and instrumental measurements. This evaluation should become a standardized procedure in the treatment of orthogeriatric patients presenting with a FFP.

INTRODUCTION

Fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) are common in orthogeriatric patients. Secondary fracture prevention regarding evaluation and treatment of an underlying osteoporosis or osteomalacia is still often neglected. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the amount of missed information related on bone health in older adult FFP patients, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in assessed patients, and if fracture type-dependent distribution patterns could be observed.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of an institutional register was performed. Patients aged 80 years and older (n = 456) admitted with a FFP from 01/2003 until 12/2019 to a level I trauma center were included.

RESULTS

In 456 patients, FFP type II were leading (66.7%). Diagnostics were conducted in 37.1% of the patients regarding measurement of vitamin D levels and 21.7% regarding DXA measurements; vitamin D deficiency was observed in 62.7%, indicators for an underlying osteomalacia in 45.8%, and an osteoporosis in 46.5% of the assessed patients.

CONCLUSION

Although FFP are common and will increase, there is still a lack of secondary fracture prevention, starting with information related on bone health. In the assessed patients, a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was present, but no significant correlation between vitamin D level and type of fracture was observed. Ongoing education for varying etiology and specific treatment of these fractures is necessary, as surgical treatment was unified, but drug therapy remains different.

Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Its Association with Quality of Life, Postural Stability, and Past Incidence of Falls in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

In this cross-sectional analysis of 61 postmenopausal osteoporosis patients who regularly visited an osteoporosis outpatient clinic, we aimed to clarify the prevalence of sarcopenia and its related clinical factors. Of 61 patients (mean age 77.6 ± 8.1 years), 24 (39.3%) had osteosarcopenia and 37 (60.7%) had osteoporosis alone. Age, nutritional status, and the number of prescribed drugs were associated with the presence of sarcopenia (p = 0.002, <0.001, and 0.001, respectively), while bone mineral density (BMD) and % young adult mean BMD were not (p = 0.119 and 0.119, respectively). Moreover, patients with osteosarcopenia had lower quality of life (QOL) scores, greater postural instability, and a higher incidence of falls in the past year than patients with osteoporosis alone. In contrast, BMD status showed no correlation with the nutritional status, QOL score, postural instability, or incidence of falls in the past year. In conclusion, the incidence of sarcopenia was relatively high among postmenopausal osteoporosis female patients in an osteoporosis outpatient clinic. Our results suggest that in addition to routine BMD evaluation, assessment and management of sarcopenia may be promoted at osteoporosis outpatient clinics to limit the risk of falls and prevent consequent fragility fractures in osteoporosis patients.

Computed tomography-based body composition profile as a screening tool for geriatric frailty detection

OBJECTIVE

To assess prevalence of CT imaging-derived sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and visceral obesity in clinically frail and prefrail patients and determine their association with the diagnosis of frailty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was constructed using our institution's pelvic trauma registry and ambulatory database registry. The study included all elderly pelvic trauma patients and ambulatory outpatients between May 2016 and March 2020 who had a comprehensive geriatric assessment and CT abdomen/pelvis within 1 year from the date of the assessment. Patients were dichotomized in prefrail or frail groups. The study excluded patients with history of metastatic disease or malignancy requiring chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The study cohort consisted of 151 elderly female and 65 male patients. Each gender population was subdivided into frail (114 female [75%], 51 male [78%]) and prefrail (37 female [25%], 14 male [22%]) patients. CT-imaging-derived diagnosis of osteoporosis (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI: 1.2-5.5) and sarcopenia (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% CI: 1.2-5.6) were associated with frailty in females, but did not reach statistical significance in males. BMI and subcutaneous adipose tissue at L3 level were statistically lower in the frail male group compared to the prefrail group. BMI showed strong correlation with the subcutaneous area at the L3 level in both genders (Spearman's coefficient of 0.8, p < 0.001). Hypoalbuminemia and visceral obesity were not associated with frailty in either gender.

CONCLUSION

This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the feasibility of using CT-derived body-composition parameters as a screening tool for frailty, which can offer an opportunity for early medical intervention.

SART and Individual Trial Mistake Thresholds: Predictive Model for Mobility Decline

The Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) has been used to measure neurocognitive functions in older adults. However, simplified average features of this complex dataset may result in loss of primary information and fail to express associations between test performance and clinically meaningful outcomes. Here, we describe a new method to visualise individual trial (raw) information obtained from the SART test, vis-à-vis age, and groups based on mobility status in a large population-based study of ageing in Ireland. A thresholding method, based on the individual trial number of mistakes, was employed to better visualise poorer SART performances, and was statistically validated with binary logistic regression models to predict mobility and cognitive decline after 4 years. Raw SART data were available for 4864 participants aged 50 years and over at baseline. The novel visualisation-derived feature bad performance, indicating the number of SART trials with at least 4 mistakes, was the most significant predictor of mobility decline expressed by the transition from Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) < 12 to TUG ≥ 12 s (OR = 1.29; 95% CI 1.14–1.46; p < 0.001), and the only significant predictor of new falls (OR = 1.11; 95% CI 1.03–1.21; p = 0.011), in models adjusted for multiple covariates. However, no SART-related variables resulted significant for the risk of cognitive decline, expressed by a decrease of ≥2 points in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. This novel multimodal visualisation could help clinicians easily develop clinical hypotheses. A threshold approach to the evaluation of SART performance in older adults may better identify subjects at higher risk of future mobility decline.

Evaluation of postural stability in patients screened for osteoporosis: A retrospective study of 1086 cases

BACKGROUND

Although the interactions between balance, falls and fracture risk have been demonstrated in various aspects, the clinical focus of fracture risk evaluation has been on bone properties, e.g., bone mineral density (BMD). Accordingly, the role of balance parameters in the setting of osteoporosis assessment remained to be further explored.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is postural stability assessed by Romberg quiet stance posturography influenced by BMD or prior fragility fractures in a cohort of more than 1000 patients screened for osteoporosis?

METHODS

Patients who completed both Romberg test and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were included retrospectively from a large database. Quantification of the Romberg test was performed by using posturography. Center of pressure (CoP) movements were tracked and the corresponding path length for ten seconds as well as an ellipse area including 90 % of all CoP were calculated. To determine potential predictors of posturography, simple and multiple linear regression analyses were performed including DXA results, grip strength, age, sex and BMI. As a secondary outcome, the influence of a previous fragility fracture on postural stability was evaluated.

RESULTS

Overall, 1086 patients (801 women, 285 men) met the inclusion criteria. Lower femoral BMD T-score (p < 0.05), higher age (p < 0.001) and male sex (p < 0.001) were associated with higher Romberg path length (both eyes open and eyes closed). Both women and men with any previous fragility fracture showed significantly increased values in the path length with eyes open (p < 0.05) and eyes closed (women p < 0.001, men p < 0.05) compared to those without a history of a fragility fracture.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our study indicates that postural stability is affected by femoral BMD, age and sex. As a history of prior fragility fracture was associated with postural instability, assessment and management of impaired balance in everyday clinical practice is advisable for optimal fracture prevention.

Relationship Between Oral Health and Fractures in Community-Dwelling Older Japanese Adults

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between poor oral health and the incidence of fall-related fractures in older Japanese individuals.

DESIGN

A 9-year prospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Participants comprised 937 community-dwelling older Japanese adults aged 70 years or older. They all lived in the Tsurugaya district, a suburban area of Sendai city, and underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment, including an oral examination, in a public facility.

MEASUREMENTS

The exposure variables were related to oral health status (posterior occlusal support, number of remaining teeth, and occlusal force). The outcome measure was the incidence of fall-related fractures, which was determined by National Health Insurance data. Analyzed covariates included age, sex, medical history, smoking, alcohol drinking, educational level, depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, physical function, body mass index, and history of falls. Statistical relationships were examined by calculating hazard ratios (HRs) at 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

In the multivariate analysis, the HRs of fall-related fractures were significantly higher in those with unilateral posterior occlusal support (HR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.13-6.55) and no posterior occlusal support (HR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.29-5.15) than in those with bilateral posterior occlusal support. The HRs (95% CIs) of fall-related fractures in individuals with 10-19 and 1-9 teeth and edentulous individuals were 1.77 (0.81-3.89), 2.67 (1.24-5.75), and 2.31 (1.01-5.28), respectively, compared to those with ≥20 teeth.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Poor oral health status is a risk factor for the incidence of fall-related fractures in community-dwelling older Japanese individuals. The findings suggest that attention should be focused on oral health status to further understand the risk of fall-related fractures among community-dwelling older adults.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS/AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ENDOCRINOLOGY CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS-2020 UPDATE

Objective: The development of these guidelines is sponsored by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) Board of Directors and American College of Endocrinology (ACE) Board of Trustees and adheres with published AACE protocols for the standardized production of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Methods: Recommendations are based on diligent reviews of the clinical evidence with transparent incorporation of subjective factors, according to established AACE/ACE guidelines for guidelines protocols. Results: The Executive Summary of this 2020 updated guideline contains 52 recommendations: 21 Grade A (40%), 24 Grade B (46%), 7 Grade C (14%), and no Grade D (0%). These detailed, evidence-based recommendations allow for nuance-based clinical decision-making that addresses multiple aspects of real-world care of patients. The evidence base presented in the subsequent Appendix provides relevant supporting information for the Executive Summary recommendations. This update contains 368 citations: 123 (33.5%) evidence level (EL) 1 (highest), 132 (36%) EL 2 (intermediate), 20 (5.5%) EL 3 (weak), and 93 (25%) EL 4 (lowest). New or updated topics in this CPG include: clarification of the diagnosis of osteoporosis, stratification of the patient according to high-risk and very-high-risk features, a new dual-action therapy option, and transitions from therapeutic options. Conclusion: This guideline is a practical tool for endocrinologists, physicians in general, regulatory bodies, health-related organizations, and interested laypersons regarding the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis. Abbreviations: 25(OH)D = 25-hydroxyvitamin D; AACE = American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists; ACE = American College of Endocrinology; AFF = atypical femoral fracture; ASBMR = American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; BEL = best evidence level; BMD = bone mineral density; BTM = bone turnover marker; CI = confidence interval; CPG = clinical practice guideline; CTX = C-terminal telopeptide type-I collagen; DXA = dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; EL = evidence level; FDA = U.S. Food and Drug Administration; FRAX® = Fracture Risk Assessment Tool; GI = gastrointestinal; HORIZON = Health Outcomes and Reduced Incidence with Zoledronic acid ONce yearly Pivotal Fracture Trial (zoledronic acid and zoledronate are equivalent terms); ISCD = International Society for Clinical Densitometry; IU = international units; IV = intravenous; LSC = least significant change; NOF = National Osteoporosis Foundation; ONJ = osteonecrosis of the jaw; PINP = serum amino-terminal propeptide of type-I collagen; PTH = parathyroid hormone; R = recommendation; ROI = region of interest; RR = relative risk; SD = standard deviation; TBS = trabecular bone score; VFA = vertebral fracture assessment; WHO = World Health Organization.

Evaluation of a Panel of MicroRNAs that Predicts Fragility Fracture Risk: A Pilot Study

The assessment of fragility fracture risk based on bone densitometry and FRAX°, although commonly used, has shown some limitations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are promising biomarkers known to regulate post-transcriptional gene expression. Many studies have already shown that microRNAs are involved in bone homeostasis by modulating osteoblast and osteoclast gene expression. In this pilot study, we investigated the ability of an miRNA panel (namely, the OsteomiR° score) to predict fragility fracture risk in older people. miRNAs were extracted from the sera of 17 persons who developed a fracture within 3 years of collecting the serum and 16 persons who did not experience fractures in the same period. Nineteen miRNAs known to be involved in bone homeostasis were assessed, and 10 miRNAs were employed to calculate the OsteomiR° score. We found a trend towards higher OsteomiR° scores in individuals who experienced fractures compared to control subjects. The most suitable cut-off that maximized sensitivity and specificity was determined by ROC curve analysis, and a positive predictive value of 68% and a sensitivity of 76% were obtained. The OsteomiR° score was higher in osteopenic and osteoporotic subjects compared to subjects with a normal T score. Additionally, the OsteomiR° score predicted more fracture events than the recommended "need-to-treat" thresholds based on FRAX° 10-year probability. miRNAs reflect impairments in bone homeostasis several years before the occurrence of a fracture. The OsteomiR° score seems to be a promising miRNA panel for fragility fracture risk prediction and might have added value compared to FRAX°. Given the limited cohort size, further studies should be dedicated to validating the OsteomiR° score.

Expert consensus on relevant risk predictors for the occurrence of osteoporotic fractures in specific clinical subgroups - Delphi survey

BACKGROUND

There is an ongoing discussion about incorporating additional risk factors to established WHO fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) to improve the prediction accuracy in clinical subgroups. We aimed to reach an expert consensus on possible additional predictive parameters for specific clinical subgroups.

METHODS

Two-round modified Delphi survey: We generated a shortlist of experts from the authors' lists of the pertinent literature and complemented the list with experts known to the authors. Participants were asked to name possible relevant risk factors besides the FRAX-parameters for the occurrence of osteoporotic fractures. Experts specified these possible predictors for specific subgroups of patients. In the second round the expert panel was asked to weight each parameter of every subgroup assigning a number between one (not important) to ten (very important). We defined the threshold for an expert consensus if the interquartile range (IQR) of a predictor was ≤2. The cut-off value of the median attributed weights for a relevant predictor was set at ≥7.

RESULTS

Eleven experts of seven countries completed both rounds of the Delphi. The participants agreed on nine additional parameters for seven categories. For the category "secondary osteoporosis", "older adults" and "nursing home patients", there was a consensus that history of previous falls was relevant, while for men and postmenopausal women, there was a consensus that the spine fracture status was important. For the group "primary and secondary osteoporosis" the experts agreed on the parameters "high risk of falls", "lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD)" and "sarcopenia".

CONCLUSION

This Delphi survey reached a consensus on various parameters that could be used to refine the currently existing FRAX for specific clinical situations or patient groups. The results may be useful for studies aiming at improving the predictive properties of instruments for fracture prediction.

The role of the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) in subsequent fracture prevention in the extreme elderly

BACKGROUND

Several guidelines recommend a bone and fall-related osteoporosis risk assessment in all patients with fracture and age > 50 years. In practice, however, there is no consensus whether screening > 85 years is useful.

AIM

To evaluate the subsequent fracture risk in all patient > 85 years, comparing the two populations of Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) attenders and non-attenders.

METHODS

All patients > 85 years that presented at the FLS with a non-vertebral fracture were included in the study during a 5-year period (September 2004 and December 2009). Excluded were pathologic fractures, death < 30 days, or patients on osteoporosis treatment. in patients that attended the FLS, assessment of bone mineral density and fall-risk factors were screened. In both the attenders and non-attenders groups, mortality and subsequent fracture rates were scored during a follow-up of 2 years.

RESULTS

282 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria for screening, of which 160 (57%) patients did not attend the FLS. 122 patients were screened for osteoporosis and fall-related risk of whom 72 were diagnosed with osteoporosis. Subsequent fracture risk in both groups was 19%. Medical treatment was started in 51 patients, of which 15 patients developed a subsequent fracture. Cox-regression analysis indicated a significantly lower mortality rate, but not a diminished subsequent fracture rate in the FLS screened population compared to the non-attenders.

CONCLUSION

The advantage of a FLS in reducing subsequent fracture risk in patients > 85 years seems to be limited. In practice a large proportion of these patients are not screened.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS AND AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ENDOCRINOLOGY CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS - 2016

ABBREVIATIONS

AACE = American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists AFF = atypical femur fracture ASBMR = American Society for Bone and Mineral Research BEL = best evidence level BMD = bone mineral density BTM = bone turnover marker CBC = complete blood count CI = confidence interval DXA = dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry EL = evidence level FDA = U.S. Food and Drug Administration FLEX = Fracture Intervention Trial (FIT) Long-term Extension FRAX_® = Fracture Risk Assessment Tool GFR = glomerular filtration rate GI = gastrointestinal HORIZON = Health Outcomes and Reduced Incidence with Zoledronic Acid Once Yearly IOF = International Osteoporosis Foundation ISCD = International Society for Clinical Densitometry IU = international units IV = intravenous LSC = least significant change NBHA = National Bone Health Alliance NOF = National Osteoporosis Foundation 25(OH)D = 25-hydroxy vitamin D ONJ = osteonecrosis of the jaw PINP = serum carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I collagen PTH = parathyroid hormone R = recommendation RANK = receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B RANKL = receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand RCT = randomized controlled trial RR = relative risk S-CTX = serum C-terminal telopeptide SQ = subcutaneous VFA = vertebral fracture assessment WHO = World Health Organization.

Proceedings of the 2018 Santa Fe Bone Symposium: Advances in the Management of Osteoporosis

The Santa Fe Bone Symposium is an annual meeting devoted to clinical applications of recent advances in skeletal research. The 19th Santa Fe Bone Symposium convened August 3-4, 2018, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. Attendees included physicians of many specialties, fellows in training, advanced practice providers, clinical researchers, and bone density technologists. The format consisted of lectures, case presentations by endocrinology fellows, and panel discussions, with all involving extensive interactive discussions. Topics were diverse, including an evolutionary history of calcium homeostasis, osteoporosis treatment in the very old, optimizing outcomes with orthopedic surgery, microbiome and bone, new strategies for combination and sequential therapy of osteoporosis, exercise as medicine, manifestations of parathyroid hormone excess and deficiency, parathyroid hormone as a therapeutic agent, cell senescence and bone health, and managing patients outside clinical practice guidelines. The National Bone Health Alliance conducted a premeeting on development of fracture liaison services. A workshop was devoted to Bone Health TeleECHO (Bone Health Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), a strategy of ongoing medical education for healthcare professions to expand capacity to deliver best practice skeletal healthcare in underserved communities and reduce the osteoporosis treatment gap.

Effects of the Application of a Program of Adapted Utilitarian Judo (JUA) on the Fear of Falling Syndrome (FOF) for the Health Sustainability of the Elderly Population

This research analyzes the fall history of a group of elderly people and studies the effects of an intervention program based on Adapted Utilitarian Judo (JUA) to teach fall control in subjects with fear of falling syndrome (FOF). We adopted a quasi-experimental research design with pre-post measurement of the experimental group, in a healthy, pre-fragile sample of 12 women aged 71.5 ± 8 years, chosen using non-probabilistic-incidental accessibility sampling. The WHO questionnaire was used for the functional assessment of the fall. To evaluate FOF, we applied the 16-item version of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), (pretest and posttest). This intervention program was based on Adapted Utilitarian Judo and conducted over 8 weeks, with two 60-minute sessions each week. After analyzing the scores obtained by the subjects in the pre and post FES-I, we found that the intervention with the JUA program had been significant for the experimental group with p ≤ 0.004, and there was an 11.9% decrease in the fear of falling (FES-I pos = 18.17). The results show that after the application of the JUA program there were significant improvements in subjects’ perception of FOF, with this being greater in those who had the highest levels of fear of falling before the intervention.

The Association Between Fall Frequency, Injury Risk, and Characteristics of Falls in Older Residents of Long-Term Care: Do Recurrent Fallers Fall More Safely?

Background

Although a fall is a necessary prerequisite to a fall-related injury, previous studies suggest that frequent fallers are at lower injury risk for a given fall. We tested the hypotheses that differences in protective responses or the circumstances of falls underlie differences in injury risk with fall frequency.

Methods

We analyzed video footage of 897 falls experienced by 220 long-term care residents (mean age 82 ± 9 years) to identify the cause of imbalance, activity leading to falling, direction of fall initiation, balance recovery and fall protective responses, and occurrence of impact to the head or hip. We further obtained injury information from the facilities' fall registration. We used generalized estimating equation models to examine the association between quartiles of fall frequency, injury risk, and fall characteristics.

Results

Residents with the highest fall frequency group (Q4; ≥5.6 falls/year) were less likely to sustain an injury per fall. They were less likely to fall during walking and more likely to fall during stand-to-sit transfers. Residents in the lowest fall frequency group (Q1; <1.15 falls/year) were more likely to fall during walking, and walking was associated with an increased risk for injury.

Conclusion

When compared to less frequent fallers, more frequent fallers had a lower risk for injury per fall. This appeared to be explained by differences in the circumstances of falls, and not by protective responses. Injury prevention strategies in long-term care should target both frequent and infrequent fallers, as the latter are more mobile and apt to sustain injury.

Bone Turnover Status: Classification Model and Clinical Implications

Aim: To develop a practical model for classification bone turnover status and evaluate its clinical usefulness. Methods: Our classification of bone turnover status is based on internationally recommended biomarkers of both bone formation (N-terminal propeptide of type1 procollagen, P1NP) and bone resorption (beta C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen, bCTX), using the cutoffs proposed as therapeutic targets. The relationships between turnover subtypes and clinical characteristic were assessed in1223 hospitalised orthogeriatric patients (846 women, 377 men; mean age 78.1±9.50 years): 451(36.9%) subjects with hip fracture (HF), 396(32.4%) with other non-vertebral (non-HF) fractures (HF) and 376 (30.7%) patients without fractures. Resalts: Six subtypes of bone turnover status were identified: 1 - normal turnover (P1NP>32 μg/L, bCTX≤0.250 μg/L and P1NP/bCTX>100.0[(median value]); 2- low bone formation (P1NP ≤32 μg/L), normal bone resorption (bCTX≤0.250 μg/L) and P1NP/bCTX>100.0 (subtype2A) or P1NP/bCTX<100.0 (subtype 2B); 3- low bone formation, high bone resorption (bCTX>0.250 μg/L) and P1NP/bCTX<100.0; 4- high bone turnover (both markers elevated ) and P1NP/bCTX>100.0 (subtype 4A) or P1NP/bCTX<100.0 (subtype 4B). Compared to subtypes 1 and 2A, subtype 2B was strongly associated with nonvertebral fractures (odds ratio [OR] 2.0), especially HF (OR 3.2), age>75 years and hyperparathyroidism. Hypoalbuminaemia and not using osteoporotic therapy were two independent indicators common for subtypes 3, 4A and 4B; these three subtypes were associated with in-hospital mortality. Subtype 3 was associated with fractures (OR 1.7, for HF OR 2.4), age>75 years, chronic heart failure (CHF), anaemia, and history of malignancy, and predicted post-operative myocardial injury, high inflammatory response and length of hospital stay (LOS) above10 days. Subtype 4A was associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), anaemia, history of malignancy and walking aids use and predicted LOS>20 days, but was not discriminative for fractures. Subtype 4B was associated with fractures (OR 2.1, for HF OR 2.5), age>75 years, CKD and indicated risks of myocardial injury, high inflammatory response and LOS>10 days. Conclusions: We proposed a classification model of bone turnover status and demonstrated that in orthogeriatric patients altered subtypes are closely related to presence of nonvertebral fractures, comorbidities and poorer in-hospital outcomes. However, further research is needed to establish optimal cut points of various biomarkers and improve the classification model.

Validation of FRAX and the impact of self-reported falls among elderly in a general population: the HUNT study, Norway

Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) without bone mineral density (BMD) for hip fracture prediction was validated in a Norwegian population 50-90 years. Fracture risk increased with higher FRAX score, and the observed number of hip fractures agreed well with the predicted number, except for the youngest and oldest men. Self-reported fall was an independent risk factor for fracture in women.

INTRODUCTION

The primary aim was to validate FRAX without BMD for hip fracture prediction in a Norwegian population of men and women 50-90 years. Secondary, to study whether information of falls could improve prediction of fractures in the subgroup aged 70-90 years.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the third survey of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT3), the fracture registry in Nord-Trøndelag, and the Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD), including 15,432 women and 13,585 men. FRAX hip without BMD was calculated, and hip fractures were registered for a median follow-up of 5.2 years. The number of estimated and observed fractures was assessed, ROC curves with area under the curve (AUC), and Cox regression analyses. For the group aged 70-90 years, self-reported falls the last year before HUNT3 were included in the Cox regression model.

RESULTS

The risk of fracture increased with higher FRAX score. When FRAX groups were categorized in a 10-year percentage risk for hip fracture as follows, <4, 4-7.9, 8-11.9, and ≥12%, the hazard ratio (HR) for hip fracture between the lowest and the highest group was 17.80 (95% CI: 12.86-24.65) among women and 23.40 (13.93-39.30) in men. Observed number of hip fractures agreed quite well with the predicted number, except for the youngest and oldest men. AUC was 0.81 (0.78-0.83) for women and 0.79 (0.76-0.83) for men. Self-reported fall was an independent risk factor for fracture in women (HR 1.64, 1.20-2.24), and among men, this was not significant (1.09, 0.65-1.83).

CONCLUSIONS

FRAX without BMD predicted hip fracture reasonably well. In the age group 70-90 years, falls seemed to imply an additional risk among women.

Bone loss with antiepileptic drug therapy: a twin and sibling study

Changes in areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and other predictors of bone loss were evaluated in 48 same-sex twin/age-matched sibling pairs discordant for antiepileptic drug (AED) use. AED users had reduced BMD at the hip regions. Prolonged AED users had greater aBMD loss, predicting a higher risk of bone fragility.

INTRODUCTION

To investigate the longitudinal associations of bone mineral measures with antiepileptic drug (AED) use, including enzyme-inducing (EIAED) and non-enzyme-inducing (NEIAED) types, and other predictors of bone loss in a study of 48 same-sex twin/age-matched sibling pairs (40 female, 8 male) discordant for AED use.

METHODS

Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and content (BMC) at the hip regions, forearm, lumbar spine, and whole body were measured twice, at least 2 years apart. The mean within-pair difference (MWPD), MWPD%, and mean annual rate of aBMD change were adjusted for age, weight, and height. Predictors of bone loss were evaluated.

RESULTS

AED users, compared to non-users, at baseline and follow-up, respectively, had reduced aBMD at the total hip (MWPD% 3.8, 4.4%), femoral neck (4.7, 4.5%), and trochanter regions (4.1, 4.6%) (p < 0.05). For the whole cohort, the annual rate of change in all aBMD/BMC (p > 0.05) regions did not differ within pairs. Nevertheless, EIAED users had greater aBMD loss than non-users (n = 20 pairs) at the total hip (1.7 vs. 0.3%, p = 0.013) and whole body regions (0.7% loss vs. 0.1% BMD gain, p = 0.019), which was not found in NEIAED-discordant pairs (n = 16). AED use >20 years predicted higher aBMD loss at the forearm (p = 0.028), whole body (p = 0.010), and whole body BMC (p = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

AED users had reduced aBMD at the hip regions. Prolonged users and EIAED users had greater aBMD loss, predicting a higher risk of bone fragility. Further prospective studies of AED effects on bone microarchitecture are needed.

The effects of low-repetition and light-load power training on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with sarcopenia: a pilot study

Background

Age-related reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) is generally accelerated in women after menopause, and could be even more pronounced in individuals with sarcopenia. Light-load power training with a low number of repetitions would increase BMD, significantly reducing bone loss in individuals at risk of osteoporosis. This study investigated the effects of low-repetition, light-load power training on BMD in Japanese postmenopausal women with sarcopenia.

Methods

The training group (n = 7) followed a progressive power training protocol that increased the load with a weighted vest, for two sessions per week, over the course of 6 weeks. The training exercise comprised five kinds of exercises (squats, front lunges, side lunges, calf raises, and toe raises), and each exercise contained eight sets of three repetitions with a 15-s rest between each set. The control group (n = 8) did not undergo any training intervention. We measured BMD, muscle strength, and anthropometric data.

Results

Within-group changes in pelvis BMD and knee extensor strength were significantly greater in the training group than the control group (p = 0.029 and 0.030 for pelvis BMD and knee extensor strength, respectively). After low-repetition, light-load power training, we noted improvements in pelvis BMD (1.6%) and knee extensor strength (15.5%). No significant within- or between-group differences were observed for anthropometric data or forearm BMD.

Conclusions

Six weeks of low-repetition, light-load power training improved pelvis BMD and knee extensor strength in postmenopausal women with sarcopenia. Since this training program does not require high-load exercise and is therefore easily implementable as daily exercise, it could be an effective form of exercise for sedentary adults at risk for osteoporosis who are fearful of heavy loads and/or training that could cause fatigue.

Trial Registration

This trial was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network on 31 October 2016 (UMIN000024651).

Dementia and co-occurring chronic conditions: a systematic literature review to identify what is known and where are the gaps in the evidence?

OBJECTIVE

The challenges posed by people living with multiple chronic conditions are unique for people with dementia and other significant cognitive impairment. There have been recent calls to action to review the existing literature on co-occurring chronic conditions and dementia in order to better understand the effect of cognitive impairment on disease management, mobility, and mortality.

METHODS

This systematic literature review searched PubMed databases through 2011 (updated in 2016) using key constructs of older adults, moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment (both diagnosed and undiagnosed dementia), and chronic conditions. Reviewers assessed papers for eligibility and extracted key data from each included manuscript. An independent expert panel rated the strength and quality of evidence and prioritized gaps for future study.

RESULTS

Four thousand thirty-three articles were identified, of which 147 met criteria for review. We found that moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment increased risks of mortality, was associated with prolonged institutional stays, and decreased function in persons with multiple chronic conditions. There was no relationship between significant cognitive impairment and use of cardiovascular or hypertensive medications for persons with these comorbidities. Prioritized areas for future research include hospitalizations, disease-specific outcomes, diabetes, chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, depression, falls, stroke, and multiple chronic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

This review summarizes that living with significant cognitive impairment or dementia negatively impacts mortality, institutionalization, and functional outcomes for people living with multiple chronic conditions. Our findings suggest that chronic-disease management interventions will need to address co-occurring cognitive impairment. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Framing moving and handling as a complex healthcare intervention within the acute care of older people with osteoporosis: a qualitative study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate healthcare staff's views and experiences of caring for older hospitalised adults (aged 60+) with osteoporosis focusing on moving and handling. Specific objectives were to explore the composition of manual handling risk assessments and interventions in osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease that reduces bone density and causes increased fracture risk. Incidence rises with age and osteoporotic fractures cause increased morbidity and mortality. It is a major global health problem. In the UK older hospitalised adults are normally screened for falls risk but not necessarily for osteoporosis. As presentation of osteoporosis is normally silent until fractures are evident, it is frequently undiagnosed. Healthcare staff's knowledge of osteoporosis is often suboptimal and specific manual handling implications are under-researched.

DESIGN

An exploratory qualitative content analysis research design informed by critical realism.

METHODS

The purposive sample comprised 26 nursing and allied health professionals. Semi-structured interviews addressed topics including knowledge of osteoporosis, implications for acute care, moving and handling and clinical guidelines. Qualitative content data analysis was used.

RESULTS

Awareness of osteoporosis prevalence in older populations varies and implications for nursing are indistinct to nonspecialists. In-hospital fractures potentially linked to suboptimal moving and handling seemed rare, but prospective studies are needed. Categories of 'Understanding moving and handling as routine care or as a healthcare intervention', with further categories 'healthcare practitioners' capacities and capabilities for dealing with people with osteoporosis' and 'the structural and organisational context for moving and handling' are reported alongside safety, frailty and dependency dimensions.

CONCLUSIONS

This study informs moving and handling in higher risk groups such as osteoporosis. Clinical knowledge/expertise is required when adapting generic manual handling guidelines to specific patients/contexts. Patients' experiences of moving and handling have received limited attention.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Increased focus on musculoskeletal conditions and moving and handling implications is required.

Combined Measures of Dynamic Bone Quality and Postural Balance--A Fracture Risk Assessment Approach in Osteoporosis

We evaluated functional measures of neuromuscular integrity and bone's resistance to fracture as a combined tool in discriminating osteoporosis patients with and without fractures. Functional aspects of neuromuscular integrity were quantified with a noninvasive measure of static and dynamic functional postural stability (FPS), and fracture resistance was obtained with bone shock absorption in patients with osteoporosis aged 65-85 and compared our measures with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX [World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Metabolic Bone Diseases, Sheffield, UK]) in women with osteoporosis, some with and some without vertebral fractures. Patients with vertebral fracture showed larger static FPS (postural sway excursion) in the mediolateral and anterior-posterior directions, suggesting poorer balance. Most of the variables of dynamic FPS showed significant differences between fracture and no-fracture groups (e.g., the fracture group took significantly longer during turning, implying poorer dynamic balance control). Also, compared with healthy control subjects, all 4 dynamic FPS responses for osteoporosis patients with and without fracture were significantly poorer, suggesting potential risk for falls. In summary, patients with osteoporosis who have vertebral fractures (compared with patients with similarly low bone mineral density and other nonfracture risk fractures) have not only lower bone shock absorption damping (ζ) but also increased postural imbalance.

Association between allopurinol use and hip fracture in older patients

BACKGROUND

Allopurinol reduces oxidative stress and interacts with purinergic signalling systems important in bone metabolism and muscle function. We assessed whether allopurinol use was associated with a reduced incidence of hip fracture in older people.

METHODS

Analysis of prospective, routinely-collected health and social care data on patients undergoing health and social work assessment in a single geographical area over a 12year period. Exposure to allopurinol was derived from linked community prescribing data, and hospitalisation for hip fracture and comorbid disease was derived from linked hospitalisation data. Fine and Gray modelling was used to model time to hip fracture accounting for the competing risk of death, incorporating previous use of allopurinol, cumulative exposure to allopurinol as a time dependent variable, and covariate adjustments.

RESULTS

17,308 patients were alive at the time of first social work assessment without previous hip fracture; the mean age was 73years. 10,171 (59%) were female, and 1155 (8%) had at least one exposure to allopurinol. 618 (3.6%) sustained a hip fracture, and 4226 (24%) died during a mean follow-up of 7.2years. In fully-adjusted analyses, each year of allopurinol exposure conferred a hazard ratio of 1.01 (95% CI 0.99, 1.02; p=0.37) for hip fracture and 1.00 (0.99, 1.01; p=0.47) for death. Previous use of allopurinol conferred a hazard ratio of 0.76 (0.45, 1.26; p=0.28) for hip fracture and 1.13 (0.99, 1.29; p=0.07) for death.

CONCLUSION

Greater cumulative use of allopurinol was not associated with a reduced risk of hip fracture or death in this cohort.

FRAX predicts incident falls in elderly men: findings from MrOs Sweden

Falls and fractures share several common risk factors. Although past falls is not included as an input variable in the FRAX calculator, we demonstrate that FRAX probability predicts risk of incident falls in the MrOs Sweden cohort.

INTRODUCTION

Although not included in the FRAX® algorithm, it is possible that increased falls risk is partly dependent on other risk factors that are incorporated into FRAX. The aim of the present study was to determine whether fracture probability generated by FRAX might also predict risk of incident falls and the extent that a falls history would add value to FRAX.

METHODS

We studied the relationship between FRAX probabilities and risk of falls in 1836 elderly men recruited to the MrOS study, a population-based prospective cohort of men from Sweden. Baseline data included falls history, clinical risk factors, bone mineral density (BMD) at femoral neck, and calculated FRAX probabilities. Incident falls were captured during an average of 1.8 years of follow-up. An extension of Poisson regression was used to investigate the relationship between FRAX, other risk variables, and the time-to-event hazard function of falls. All associations were adjusted for age and time since baseline.

RESULTS

At enrolment, 15.5 % of the men had fallen during the preceding 12 months (past falls) and 39 % experienced one or more falls during follow-up (incident falls). The risk of incident falls increased with increasing FRAX probabilities at baseline (hazard ratio (HR) per standard deviation (SD), 1.16; 95 % confidence interval (95%CI), 1.06 to 1.26). The association between incident falls and FRAX probability remained after adjustment for past falls (HR per SD, 1.12; 95%CI, 1.03 to 1.22). High compared with low baseline FRAX score (>15 vs <15 % probability of major osteoporotic fracture) was strongly predictive of increased falls risk (HR, 1.64; 95%CI, 1.36 to 1.97) and remained stable with time. Whereas past falls were a significant predictor of incident falls (HR, 2.75; 95%CI, 2.32 to 3.25), even after adjustment for FRAX, the hazard ratio decreased markedly with increasing follow-up time.

CONCLUSIONS

Although falls are not included as an input variable, FRAX captures a component of risk for future falls and outperforms falls history with an extended follow-up time.

Very Frequent Fallers and Future Fall Injury

Objectives: To examine the relationship between falls history, especially those with frequent recent falls, and future injurious falls. Method: Resident Assessment Instrument for Home Care records of 167,162 home care recipients in Ontario, Canada, were linked to emergency department records recording an injurious fall. Diagnosis codes further informed the nature of the injuries. Results: Persons with a high number of recent falls tended to be younger, and more likely to have Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis. Odds ratios for a future injurious fall, compared with zero recent falls, were as follows: 1.58 (1 fall), 1.91 (2 or 3 falls), 2.54 (4-8 falls), 3.07 (9 or more falls). Injuries among those with multiple recent falls were more likely to be head injuries with an open wound. Discussion: Persons reporting high number of recent falls were at the greatest risk of a future injurious fall and should receive the greatest attention in care planning.

Hip fracture in the elderly: a re-analysis of the EPIDOS study with causal Bayesian networks

Objectives

Hip fractures commonly result in permanent disability, institutionalization or death in elderly. Existing hip-fracture predicting tools are underused in clinical practice, partly due to their lack of intuitive interpretation. By use of a graphical layer, Bayesian network models could increase the attractiveness of fracture prediction tools. Our aim was to study the potential contribution of a causal Bayesian network in this clinical setting. A logistic regression was performed as a standard control approach to check the robustness of the causal Bayesian network approach.

Setting

EPIDOS is a multicenter study, conducted in an ambulatory care setting in five French cities between 1992 and 1996 and updated in 2010. The study included 7598 women aged 75 years or older, in which fractures were assessed quarterly during 4 years. A causal Bayesian network and a logistic regression were performed on EPIDOS data to describe major variables involved in hip fractures occurrences.

Results

Both models had similar association estimations and predictive performances. They detected gait speed and mineral bone density as variables the most involved in the fracture process. The causal Bayesian network showed that gait speed and bone mineral density were directly connected to fracture and seem to mediate the influence of all the other variables included in our model. The logistic regression approach detected multiple interactions involving psychotropic drug use, age and bone mineral density.

Conclusion

Both approaches retrieved similar variables as predictors of hip fractures. However, Bayesian network highlighted the whole web of relation between the variables involved in the analysis, suggesting a possible mechanism leading to hip fracture. According to the latter results, intervention focusing concomitantly on gait speed and bone mineral density may be necessary for an optimal prevention of hip fracture occurrence in elderly people.

Time and dose-dependent effects of Labisia pumila on the bone strength of postmenopausal osteoporosis rat model

BACKGROUND

Post-menopausal osteoporosis has long been treated and prevented by estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). Despite its effectiveness, ERT is associated with serious adverse effects. Labisia pumila var. alata (LP) is a herb with potential as an alternative agent to ERT due to its phytoestrogenic, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects on bone. This study aimed to determine the effects of LP supplementation on bone biomechanical strength of postmenopausal osteoporosis rat model.

METHODS

Ninety-six female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 4 to 5 months old were randomly divided into six groups; six rats in the baseline group (BL) and eighteen rats in each group of; Sham- operated (Sham), ovariectomised control (OVXC) and ovariectomised with daily oral gavages of Premarin at 64.5 μg/kg (ERT), LP at 20 mg/kg (LP20) and LP at 100 mg/kg (LP100) respectively. These groups were subdivided into three, six and nine weeks of treatment periods. Rats in BL group were euthanized before the start of the study, while other rats were euthanized after completion of their treatments. Femora were dissected out for biomechanical strength analysis using Instron Universal Model 5848 Micro Tester.

RESULTS

OVXC group showed deterioration in the bone biomechanical strength with time. Both ERT and LP supplemented rats showed improvements in bone strength parameters such as maximum load, displacement, stiffness, stress, and Young Modulus. The most improved bone strength was seen in rats given LP at the dose of 100 mg/kg for nine weeks.

CONCLUSION

LP supplementation at 100 mg/kg was more effective than ERT in reversing ovariectomy-induced bone biomechanical changes.

Quantitative ultrasonometry during pregnancy and lactation: a longitudinal study

This study describes bone mass changes during pregnancy and lactation measured by a special ultrasound method. Pregnant women showed a decrease of bone mass followed by a stable bone mass while breast-feeding afterwards. Later in life, there is a recovery of bone mass loss.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate bone changes during pregnancy using the radiation-free method of quantitative ultrasonometry (QUS).

METHODS

One hundred twenty-five pregnant women who underwent prenatal care were included in this study. Ultrasound measurement of the calcaneus was performed in each trimester and then 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year postpartum. The calcaneal QUS measurements were carried out using the Achilles plus device (GE/Lunar Corporation, Madison, WI). Three ultrasound variables were measured: speed of sound (SOS, m/s), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA, dB/MHz), and the "stiffness index" (expressed as the percentage of the mean value in young adults). SOS and BUA raw data result in the t-score and z-score.

RESULTS

A complete panel of six measurements was acquired over the time period in 101 patients (80.8%). Forty-two percent of the included patients were primipara, while 58% had given birth to at least one child (47%) previously. There was a statistically significant change of the t-score (tv = 2.14, p = 0.035) and the stiffness index (tv = 2.46, p = 0.016) from the second to the third trimester, followed by a plateau during lactation. Interestingly, the t-score remained stable during lactation, regardless of the duration of lactation (<3 months, 3-6 months, and >6 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Young primiparas who had a sedentary adolescence were at the highest risk of bone loss during pregnancy. Bone loss that occurred during pregnancy was typically recovered later on, based on unknown molecular and biochemical mechanisms that must be elucidated with further studies.

Maximal strength training in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia

Current guidelines recommend weight-bearing activities, preferably strength training for improving skeletal health in patients with osteoporosis. What type of strength training that is most beneficial for these patients is not established. Maximal strength training (MST) is known to improve 1-repetition maximum (1RM) and rate of force development (RFD), which are considered as important covariables for skeletal health. Squat exercise MST might serve as an effective intervention for patients with low bone mass. We hypothesized that 12 weeks of squat exercise MST would improve 1RM and RFD in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia and that these changes would coincide with improved bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), and serum markers of bone metabolism. The participants were randomized to a training group (TG, n = 10) or control group (CG, n = 11). The TG underwent 12 weeks of supervised squat exercise MST, 3 times a week, with emphasis on rapid initiation of the concentric part of the movement. The CG was encouraged to follow current exercise guidelines. Measurements included 1RM, RFD, BMD, BMC, and serum bone metabolism markers; type 1 collagen amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and type 1 collagen C breakdown products (CTX). At posttest, 8 participants remained in each group for statistical analyses. The TG improved the 1RM and RFD by 154 and 52%, respectively. Lumbar spine and femoral neck BMC increased by 2.9 and 4.9%. The ratio of serum P1NP/CTX tended to increase (p = 0.09), indicating stimulation of bone formation. In conclusion, squat exercise MST improved 1RM, RFD, and skeletal properties in postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis. The MST can be implemented as a simple and effective training method for patients with reduced bone mass.

Balance control in elderly people with osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a prevalent health concern among older adults and is associated with an increased risk of falls that incur fracture, injury, or mortality. Identifying the risk factors of falls within this population is essential for the development of effective regimes for fall prevention. Studies have shown that muscle quality and good posture alignments are critical for balance control in elderly individuals. People with osteoporosis often have muscle weakness and increased spine kyphosis leading to vertebral fractures and poor balance control, or even falls. Therefore, improving muscle quality, strengthening weak muscles, and correcting postural alignment are essential elements for the prevention of falls and fractures in older adults with osteoporosis. This review reports the necessary information regarding the critical factors of balance control in older adults with osteoporosis, as well as testing the clinical innovations of exercise training to improve the long-term prognosis of osteoporosis in this vulnerable population.

Decreased bone mineral density and periodontal management

The definition of osteoporosis has evolved beyond low bone mineral density to include impaired bone morphology and matrix properties. As such, the subsequent bone density insufficiencies extend beyond the skeletal risks of fracture and have implications for oral health management patients. As our population ages there is a worldwide increase in the risk of decreased bone mineral density and its subsequent morbidity. This makes age an independent risk factor for fracture and decreased bone mineral density. Multiple examinations and diagnostic tests are currently used in combination to develop an algorithm to assess osteoporotic risk. Oral health care professionals should follow these principles and caution should be used in applying a single independent assessment to determine a patient's osteoporotic or bone metabolism risk. Therapeutic approaches for osteoporosis are often divided into nonpharmacological interventions and pharmacological therapies. The periodontist and other oral health care professionals should have a full understanding of the therapeutic options, benefits and implementation of preventive therapies. Bone turnover is a coupled event of bone formation and bone resorption and it is the imbalance of this homeostasis that results in osteoporosis. Based on this uncoupling of bone resorption and formation, osteoporosis or decreased bone mineral density and osteopenia, may be a risk factor for alveolar bone loss in periodontitis. The role of prevention and maintenance with a history of periodontitis and oesteopenia extends beyond biofilm control and should include management of bone mineral density. The chronic periodontal infection in a patient with osteopenia may place the patient at greatly increased risk for alveolar bone loss, gingival recession and root caries. A key component in the management is the oral health professional's knowledge of the interrelationship between skeletal health and periodontal health.

Older adults attending Georgia senior centers increase preventive behaviors for falls and fractures following a community-based intervention

A community-based intervention to reduce risk factors related to falls and fractures administered to Georgians participating in the Older Americans Act (OAA) congregate meal-site program (N = 691, mean age = 75, 84% female, 45% Black and 55% White, convenience sample) was evaluated. The intervention consisted of 16 weekly sessions, with 8 focused on prevention of falls and fractures, and all 16 including a physical activity component. Interviewer-administered pre- and posttests evaluated fall preventive home safety behavior, intakes of calcium- and vitamin D-rich foods, use of calcium- and vitamin D-containing supplements, and five modifiable fall- and fracture-related risk factors. Following the intervention, there were significant increases in the intake of calcium- and vitamin D-rich foods (p < 0.001), the use of calcium- or vitamin D-containing supplements (p < 0.05), days of week with physical activity (p < 0.001) and fall preventive home safety behaviors (p < 0.001), and decreases in overall modifiable fall- and fracture-related risk factors (≥4 to 5 risk factors: pre: 32% vs. post: 18%; p < .001). This evaluation provides evidence that a multi-factorial fall prevention intervention offered at senior centers and delivered by trained staff can be beneficial for improving behaviors that may contribute to decreasing the risk of falls and fractures in older adults.

Effects of exercise on fracture reduction in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the effect of exercise on fracture reduction in the elderly. Our results determined a significantly positive effect on overall fractures, whereas the possibility of a publication bias indicates the need for well-designed (multi-center) trials that generate enough power to focus on osteoporotic fractures.

INTRODUCTION

The preventive effect of exercise on fracture incidence has not been clearly determined yet. Thus, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise in preventing overall and vertebral fractures in older adults by meta-analyses technique.

METHODS

This study followed the PRISMA recommendations for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. A systematic review of English articles between 1980 and March 2012 was performed. Terms used were: "exercise", "fractures", "bone", "falls", "osteoporosis", "BMD", "BMC", "bone turnover", while the search was limited to "clinical trial" and "humans". Controlled exercise trials that reported fracture number as endpoint or observation in subjects 45 years and older were included.

RESULTS

Ten controlled exercise trials that reported overall fractures and three exercise trials that reported vertebral fractures met our inclusion criteria. Overall fracture number in the exercise group was 36 (n = 754) compared with 73 fractures in the CG (n = 670) (relative risk [RR] = 0.49; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.76). No significant heterogeneity of trial results (p = 0.28; I (2) = 17) was determined; however, there was some evidence to suggest a publication bias. The overall RR for vertebral fracture number (0.56; 95 % CI, 0.30-1.04) (EG: 19 fractures/103 subjects vs. CG: 31 fractures/102 subjects) was borderline non-significant while the heterogeneity of trial results also cannot be ruled out.

CONCLUSION

Although there is evidence that exercise reduces overall and, to a lesser degree, vertebral fractures in the elderly, the possibility of publication bias weakens our result and demonstrates the imperative for large exercise studies with dedicated exercise protocols that focus on fractures as a primary endpoint.

Clinical risk factors, bone density and fall history in the prediction of incident fracture among men and women

The FRAX(tr) algorithm uses clinical risk factors (CRF) and bone mineral density (BMD) to predict fracture risk but does not include falls history in the calculation. Using results from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study, we examined the relative contributions of CRFs, BMD and falls history to fracture prediction. We studied 2299 participants at a baseline clinic that included completion of a health questionnaire and anthropometric data. A mean of 5.5years later (range 2.9-8.8years) subjects completed a postal questionnaire detailing fall and fracture history. In a subset of 368 men and 407 women, bone densitometry was performed using a Hologic QDR 4500 instrument. There was a significantly increased risk of fracture in men and women with a previous fracture. A one standard deviation drop in femoral neck BMD was associated with a hazards ratio (HR) of incident fracture (adjusted for CRFs) of 1.92 (1.04-3.54) and 1.77 (1.16-2.71) in men and women respectively. A history of any fall since the age of 45years resulted in an unadjusted HR of fracture of 7.31 (3.78-14.14) and 8.56 (4.85-15.13) in men and women respectively. In a ROC curve analysis, the predictive capacity progressively increased as BMD and previous falls were added into an initial model using CRFs alone. Falls history is a further independent risk factor for fracture. Falls risk should be taken into consideration when assessing whether or not to commence medication for osteoporosis and should also alert the physician to the opportunity to target falls risk directly.

Poor bone microarchitecture in older men with impaired physical performance--the STRAMBO study

In 810 men ≥ 60 years, poor physical performance of lower limbs was associated with lower areal bone mineral density (aBMD) of total hip and poor bone microarchitecture at the distal tibia (assessed by HR-pQCT). Men who reported falls had lower hip aBMD and lower cortical density at the distal tibia.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to assess the association between bone microarchitecture and physical performance in older men.

METHODS

Volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and bone microarchitecture were assessed in 810 men ≥ 60 years at the distal radius and tibia by high resolution pQCT. aBMD was measured at the spine, hip, whole body, and distal radius by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Clinical tests included chair stands and tests of static and dynamic balance. We calculated a composite score summarizing abilities and time required to perform the tests.

RESULTS

In multivariable models, men who failed in ≥ one test had lower total hip aBMD than men who accomplished all the tests. They had lower total vBMD (Tt.vBMD), cortical thickness (Ct.Th), trabecular vBMD (Tb.vBMD), and more heterogenous trabecular distribution (Tb.Sp.SD) at the distal tibia (p < 0.05). Men who failed in ≥ two tests had lower aBMD at the total hip, femoral neck, and trochanter as well as lower Tt.vBMD, cortical vBMD (Ct.vBMD), Ct.Th and trabecular number (Tb.N), and higher Tb.Sp.SD at the distal tibia (p  <  0.05). Men in the lowest quartile of the composite score had lower aBMD (total hip, distal radius), lower Tb.vBMD and Tb.N at the distal radius, and lower Tt.vBMD, Ct.vBMD, Ct.Th, Tb.vBMD, and Tb.N, and higher Tb.Sp.SD at the distal tibia compared with the highest quartile. In multivariables models, men reporting falls had lower total hip aBMD and lower distal tibia Ct.vBMD (p  <  0.01).

CONCLUSION

In older men, poor physical performance is associated with lower hip aBMD and poor bone microarchitecture (mainly at the distal tibia).

Cognitive function in young men and the later risk of fractures

Dementia has been associated with an increased risk of fractures. These associations may be explained by an impaired cognitive function, as well as comorbid illness and toxic reaction from drugs. To investigate whether cognitive function in young, healthy individuals already affects the risk of fractures, overall cognitive function scores were calculated from four cognitive tests accomplished during a national conscriptions test in 960,956 men with a mean age of 18 years. Incident fractures were searched in national registers. During a median follow-up of 30 years (range 0 to 41 years), 65,313 men had one fracture and 2589 men had a hip fracture. Compared with men with no fracture, overall cognitive function at baseline was 3.5% lower for men sustaining one fracture and 5.5% lower for men sustaining a hip fracture (p < 0.001 for both). When comparing the lowest and the highest decile, low overall cognitive function scores increased the risk one fracture (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50-1.61) and a hip fracture (HR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.77-2.55), after adjustment for confounders. A higher education (university level versus elementary school) was associated with a decreased risk of a fracture (HR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.65-0.69) and a hip fracture (HR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.45-0.57). The effects of education and cognitive function were reduced when also adjusting for total income and disability pension. In summary, low cognitive function and education in young men were associated with the later risk of especially hip fractures. These associations may partly be mediated by socioeconomic factors.

Osteo-cise: strong bones for life: protocol for a community-based randomised controlled trial of a multi-modal exercise and osteoporosis education program for older adults at risk of falls and fractures

Background

Osteoporosis affects over 220 million people worldwide, and currently there is no ‘cure’ for the disease. Thus, there is a need to develop evidence-based, safe and acceptable prevention strategies at the population level that target multiple risk factors for fragility fractures to reduce the health and economic burden of the condition.

Methods/design

The Osteo-cise: Strong Bones for Life study will investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of a multi-component targeted exercise, osteoporosis education/awareness and behavioural change program for improving bone health and muscle function and reducing falls risk in community-dwelling older adults at an increased risk of fracture. Men and women aged ≥60 years will participate in an 18-month randomised controlled trial comprising a 12-month structured and supervised community-based program and a 6-month ‘research to practise’ translational phase. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Osteo-cise intervention or a self-management control group. The intervention will comprise a multi-modal exercise program incorporating high velocity progressive resistance training, moderate impact weight-bearing exercise and high challenging balance exercises performed three times weekly at local community-based fitness centres. A behavioural change program will be used to enhance exercise adoption and adherence to the program. Community-based osteoporosis education seminars will be conducted to improve participant knowledge and understanding of the risk factors and preventative measures for osteoporosis, falls and fractures. The primary outcomes measures, to be collected at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months, will include DXA-derived hip and spine bone mineral density measurements and functional muscle power (timed stair-climb test). Secondary outcomes measures include: MRI-assessed distal femur and proximal tibia trabecular bone micro-architecture, lower limb and back maximal muscle strength, balance and function (four square step test, functional reach test, timed up-and-go test and 30-second sit-to-stand), falls incidence and health-related quality of life. Cost-effectiveness will also be assessed.

Discussion

The findings from the Osteo-cise: Strong Bones for Life study will provide new information on the efficacy of a targeted multi-modal community-based exercise program incorporating high velocity resistance training, together with an osteoporosis education and behavioural change program for improving multiple risk factors for falls and fracture in older adults at risk of fragility fracture.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry reference ACTRN12609000100291