Peripheral arterial disease increases the risk of subsequent hip fracture in older men: the Health in Men Study

The association between peripheral arterial disease and risk for hip fractures in elderly men is not explained by low hip bone mineral density. Results from the MrOS Sweden study

In this prospective study in Swedish elderly men, PAD based on an ABI < 0.9 was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture, independent of age and hip BMD. However, after further adjustments for comorbidity, medications, physical function, and socioeconomic factors, the association diminished and was no longer statistically significant.

INTRODUCTION

To examine if peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with an increased risk for hip fracture in men independent of hip BMD.

METHODS

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was assessed in the Swedish MrOS (Osteoporotic Fractures in Men) study, a prospective observational study including 3014 men aged 69-81 years at baseline. PAD was defined as ABI < 0.90. Incident fractures were assessed in computerized X-ray archives. The risk for hip fractures was calculated using Cox proportional hazard models. At baseline, BMD was assessed using DXA (Lunar Prodigy and Hologic QDR 4500) and functional measurements and blood samples were collected. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect information about medical history, falls, and medication.

RESULTS

During 10 years of follow-up, 186 men had an incident hip fracture. The hazard ratio (HR) for hip fracture in men with PAD was 1.70 (95% CI 1.14-2.54), adjusted for age and study site. Additional adjustment for total hip BMD marginally affected this association (HR 1.64; 95% CI 1.10-2.45). In a final multivariate model, the HR attenuated to a non-significant HR 1.38 (95% CI 0.91-2.11) adjusted for age, site, hip BMD, BMI, falls, smoking, eGFR, handgrip strength, walking speed, former hip fracture, antihypertensive treatment, diabetes, education, and history of cardiovascular disease.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that PAD is associated with an increased risk for hip fracture independently of hip BMD in elderly Swedish men. However, the high frequency of comorbidity and lower physical performance among men with PAD might partly explain this association.

Direct oral anticoagulants and the risk of osteoporotic fractures in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Background:

The incidence of osteoporotic fracture increases with age, particularly in elderly populations with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have less effect on osteoporotic fracture than vitamin K antagonists, it is unclear whether the risk of osteoporotic fracture is affected by different types and doses of DOACs in AF patients.

Methods:

This nationwide population-based cohort study included AF patients prescribed DOACs between 2011 and 2016 taken from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for the risk of osteoporotic, hip, and spine fractures between DOAC users were compared using the Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard model to adjust for possible confounders.

Results:

A total of 56,795 patients who were prescribed DOACs were included in the present study. Among them, 24,597 patients received dabigatran, 26,968 received rivaroxaban, and 5230 received apixaban. After 2 years’ follow up, there was no significant difference in the incidence of osteoporotic, spine, or hip fracture among those receiving dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban. Subgroup analysis showed that patients taking dabigatran had a higher incidence of osteoporotic and hip fracture than those taking rivaroxaban and apixaban in cases with concomitant peripheral artery disease (PAD) or a history of hip fracture (p for interaction: 0.004 and 0.030, respectively). However, dabigatran users had a lower incidence of osteoporotic fracture and spine fracture in those receiving standard-dose DOACs compared with rivaroxaban and apixaban; whereas, they had a higher incidence of hip fractures when administered at low dose.

Conclusion:

AF patients with different DOACs did not have different risks of osteoporotic fracture overall. However, additional concomitant morbidities, such as PAD or a history of hip fracture, and standard/low doses might be associated with different risks for different DOACs. These findings should be taken into consideration in the clinic when the DOAC is being chosen.

Plain language summary

Different direct oral anticoagulants had different impact on osteoporotic fracture

Anticoagulation therapy is an essential therapy in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, but osteoporotic fracture is another important issue in these patients prescribed with anticoagulants. However, no study has been conducted to evaluate the impact of different DOACs on different types of osteoporotic fractures. In our findings, although different DOACs had no significantly different impact on osteoporotic fractures, dabigatran users had a slightly higher incidence of osteoporotic and hip fractures among different DOACs, particularly in those have simultaneously had peripheral artery disease, a history of hip fracture. In addition, when AF patients taking low-dose DOACs, dabigatran users also have higher incidence of hip fracture than those taking other DOACs.

Associations Between Systolic Interarm Differences in Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes and Mortality: Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis, Development and Validation of a Prognostic Algorithm: The INTERPRESS-IPD Collaboration

Systolic interarm differences in blood pressure have been associated with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease. We undertook individual participant data meta-analyses to (1) quantify independent associations of systolic interarm difference with mortality and cardiovascular events; (2) develop and validate prognostic models incorporating interarm difference, and (3) determine whether interarm difference remains associated with risk after adjustment for common cardiovascular risk scores. We searched for studies recording bilateral blood pressure and outcomes, established agreements with collaborating authors, and created a single international dataset: the Inter-arm Blood Pressure Difference - Individual Participant Data (INTERPRESS-IPD) Collaboration. Data were merged from 24 studies (53 827 participants). Systolic interarm difference was associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: continuous hazard ratios 1.05 (95% CI, 1.02-1.08) and 1.06 (95% CI, 1.02-1.11), respectively, per 5 mm Hg systolic interarm difference. Hazard ratios for all-cause mortality increased with interarm difference magnitude from a ≥5 mm Hg threshold (hazard ratio, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.01-1.14]). Systolic interarm differences per 5 mm Hg were associated with cardiovascular events in people without preexisting disease, after adjustment for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (hazard ratio, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.00-1.08]), Framingham (hazard ratio, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.01-1.08]), or QRISK cardiovascular disease risk algorithm version 2 (QRISK2) (hazard ratio, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.06-1.18]) cardiovascular risk scores. Our findings confirm that systolic interarm difference is associated with increased all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and cardiovascular events. Blood pressure should be measured in both arms during cardiovascular assessment. A systolic interarm difference of 10 mm Hg is proposed as the upper limit of normal. Registration: URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42015031227.

Secondary profunda femoris artery injury after intramedullary femoral nailing in a geriatric pertrochanteric femur fracture: case report

We present a case of a secondary injury to the femoral artery in a geriatric male patient who sustained a pertrochanteric femoral fracture. Six days after closed fracture reduction and intramedullary femoral nailing, the patient presented with persistent hematocrit level drops, femoral swelling and pain. A computed tomography angiography of the femur revealed a perforation of the profunda femoris artery through the dislocated lesser trochanter fragment, and immediate surgical revision was induced. The patient returned to his pre-injury mobilization level without any peripheral vascular or neurological deficiencies. A literature review suggests that the occurrence of vascular damage in proximal femoral fractures is rare but mainly presents in geriatric patients due to atherosclerosis and brittle bone mass.

The associations of subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with hip fracture risk and bone mineral density in elderly adults

In the absence of clinically recognized cardiovascular disease, increased carotid artery intimal medial thickness was associated with higher hip fracture risk in older adults, despite its association with higher bone mineral density (BMD). Low ankle brachial index and aortic wall thickness were not associated with fracture risk or BMD.

INTRODUCTION

Clinically recognized cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with osteoporosis and hip fracture risk, but the relationship of subclinical atherosclerosis to bone health is not certain.

METHODS

We followed 3385 participants from the Cardiovascular Health Study (mean age 74.7 ± 5.3 years) with a median time to fracture of 12.1 years who underwent baseline carotid artery and aortic wall ultrasound scanning and ankle brachial blood pressure index (ABI) determinations. A subset underwent bone mineral density (BMD) testing.

RESULTS

There were 494 hip fractures during follow-up. Among persons without clinical CVD, an average standard-deviation increase in a composite score of maximal common and internal carotid artery intimal medial thickness (cIMT) was associated with increased risk of hip fracture [(HR 1.18 [1.04, 1.35]), even though cIMT was positively associated with BMD. Neither aortic wall thickness nor ABI were associated with hip fracture risk or BMD. Among participants with clinical CVD, cIMT and aortic wall thickness, but not ABI, were associated with increased hip fracture risk.

CONCLUSION

Subclinical cIMT is associated with an increased risk of hip fractures despite being associated with increased BMD. This finding suggests that vascular health, even in its early stages, is linked to bone health, by pathways other than BMD.

Peripheral arterial disease and risk of hip fracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Background

Previous studies have suggested an increased risk of hip fracture among patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), however, the results have been inconsistent. This meta-analysis was conducted with the aim to summarize all available evidence to better characterize the risk of incident hip fracture among these patients.

Materials and Methods

A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases through October 2017 to identify all cohort and case-control studies that compared the risk of subsequent hip fracture between patients with PAD and individuals without PAD. Effect estimates of the included studies were extracted and combined using the random-effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird.

Results

The systematic review process yielded six eligible cohort studies comprising 15,895 patients with PAD. There was a significant association between incident hip fracture and PAD with the pooled relative risk (RR) of 1.64 (95% CI, 1.17-2.29; I2, 80%), comparing patients with PAD and individuals without PAD. Subgroup analysis by study design revealed significant results for both prospective studies (pooled RR 1.60; 95% CI, 1.12-2.28; I2, 0%) and retrospective studies (pooled RR 1.72; 95% CI, 1.07-2.77; I2, 92%). The funnel plot is relatively asymmetric suggesting publication bias.

Conclusion

This study found a significant association between PAD and hip fracture with the pooled RR of 1.64 (95% CI, 1.17-2.29) on comparing patients with PAD and individuals without PAD. Major limitations include high between-study heterogeneity, possibility of publication bias, and lack of data on the characteristics and type of hip fracture which may limit the clinical significance of the observations.

Risk and outcomes of fracture in peripheral arterial disease patients: two nationwide cohort studies

Using national insurance claims data of Taiwan, we found that patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) had increased risk of fracture during the follow-up period of 2000-2013. History of PAD was also associated with adverse outcomes in hospitalized fracture patients. Prevention strategies were needed in this susceptible population.

INTRODUCTION

Limited information was available on the association between PAD and fracture. The purpose of this study is to evaluate fracture risk and post-fracture outcomes in patients with PAD.

METHODS

We identified 6647 adults aged ≥ 20 years with newly diagnosed PAD using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database in 2000-2004. Comparison cohort consisted of 26,588 adults without PAD randomly selected with frequency matching in age and sex. Events of fracture were identified during the follow-up period from January 1, 2000 until December 31, 2013, to evaluate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of fracture associated with PAD. Another nested cohort study of 799,463 hospitalized fracture patients analyzed adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs of adverse events after fracture among patients with and without PAD in 2004-2013.

RESULTS

Incidences of fracture in people with and without PAD were 22.1 and 15.5 per 1000 person-years, respectively (P < .0001). Compared with control, the adjusted HR of fracture was 1.59 (95% CI, 1.48-1.69) for PAD patients. In the nested cohort study, patients with PAD had higher post-fracture mortality (OR = 1.16; 95% CI, 1.09-1.25) and various complications. PAD patients also had comparatively higher medical expenditure (2691 vs. 2232 USD, P < .0001) and longer hospital stay (10.6 vs. 9.0 days, P < 0.0001) during fracture admission.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased risk of fracture and post-fracture adverse outcomes were associated with PAD. This susceptible population needs care to prevent fracture and to minimize adverse outcomes after it occurs.

Fracture risk in patients with type 2 diabetes under different antidiabetic treatment regimens: a retrospective database analysis in primary care

AIM

Type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of fractures. There are a few studies on the effects of diabetes treatment on fracture risk. The aim was to investigate the fracture risk related to various types of insulin therapy in primary care practices.

METHODS

Data from 105,960 type 2 diabetes patients from 1,072 general and internal medicine practices in Germany were retrospectively analyzed (Disease Analyzer database; 01/2000-12/2013). Fracture risk of the following therapies was compared using multivariate logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, diabetes care, comorbidity, and glycemic control (HbAlc): 1) incident insulin therapy versus oral antidiabetic drugs, 2) basal-supported oral therapy versus supplementary insulin therapy versus conventional insulin therapy, and 3) insulin glargine versus insulin detemir versus NPH insulin.

RESULTS

There was a lower odds of having incident fractures in the oral antidiabetic drug group compared to incident insulin users, although not significant (odds ratio [OR]; 95% confidence interval: 0.87; 0.72-1.06). There were increased odds for conventional insulin therapy (OR: 1.59; 95% CI [confidence interval] 0.89-2.84) and supplementary insulin therapy (OR: 1.20; 0.63-2.27) compared to basal-supported oral therapy, which was not significant as well. Overall, there was no significant difference in fracture risk for basal insulins (glargine, detemir, NPH insulin). After a treatment duration ≥2 years, insulin glargine showed a lower odds of having ≥1 fracture compared to NPH users (OR: 0.78; 0.65-0.95) (detemir vs NPH insulin: OR: 1.03; 0.79-1.36).

CONCLUSION

Long-standing therapy with insulin glargine was associated with a lower odds of having any fractures compared to NPH insulin. Further studies are required to investigate whether the lower chance is due to a reduced frequency of hypoglycemia.

Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease

Vitamin D plays a classical hormonal role in skeletal health by regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Vitamin D metabolites also have physiological functions in nonskeletal tissues, where local synthesis influences regulatory pathways via paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. The active metabolite of vitamin D, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, binds to the vitamin D receptor that regulates numerous genes involved in fundamental processes of potential relevance to cardiovascular disease, including cell proliferation and differentiation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, membrane transport, matrix homeostasis, and cell adhesion. Vitamin D receptors have been found in all the major cardiovascular cell types including cardiomyocytes, arterial wall cells, and immune cells. Experimental studies have established a role for vitamin D metabolites in pathways that are integral to cardiovascular function and disease, including inflammation, thrombosis, and the renin-angiotensin system. Clinical studies have generally demonstrated an independent association between vitamin D deficiency and various manifestations of degenerative cardiovascular disease including vascular calcification. However, the role of vitamin D supplementation in the management of cardiovascular disease remains to be established. This review summarizes the clinical studies showing associations between vitamin D status and cardiovascular disease and the experimental studies that explore the mechanistic basis for these associations.