Premenopausal bone health assessment

Phytoestrogens for menopausal bone loss and climacteric symptoms

Women have always looked for non-hormonal options to alleviate menopausal vasomotor symptoms and prevent menopausal bone loss. The use of complementary and alternative medicine for these purposes has particularly increased after the publication of the Women's Health Initiative's results suggesting that there might be more risks than benefits with hormone replacement. Phytoestrogens are plant-derived estrogens that, although less potent than estradiol, bind to the estrogen receptor and can function as estrogen agonists or antagonists. Soy isoflavones extracted from soy are the phytoestrogens most commonly used by menopausal women. Because typical Western diets are low in phytoestrogens and taking into account the general difficulty in changing dietary habits, most clinical trials in Western women have used isoflavone-fortified foods or isoflavone tablets. Although some women might experience a reduction in the frequency or severity of hot flashes, most studies point towards the lack of effectiveness of isoflavones derived from soy or red clover, even in large doses, in the prevention of hot flashes and menopausal bone loss. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Phytoestrogens'.

Premenopausal women with idiopathic low-trauma fractures and/or low bone mineral density

INTRODUCTION

In men, idiopathic osteoporosis (IOP) is often associated with low serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and reduced bone formation. The characteristics of premenopausal women with IOP are not well defined. We aimed to define the clinical, reproductive, and biochemical characteristics of premenopausal women with unexplained osteoporosis.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study of 64 women with unexplained osteoporosis, 45 with fragility fractures, 19 with low bone mineral density (BMD; Z-score less than or equal to -2.0) and 40 normal controls. The following are the main outcome measures: clinical and anthropometric characteristics, reproductive history, BMD, gonadal and calciotropic hormones, IGF-1, and bone turnover markers (BTMs).

RESULTS

Subjects had lower BMI and BMD than controls, but serum and urinary calcium, serum estradiol, vitamin D metabolites, IGF-1, and most BTMs were similar. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the resorption marker, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP5b), were significantly higher in both groups of subjects than controls and directly associated in all groups. Serum IGF-1 and all BTMs were directly associated in controls, but the association was not significant after controlling for age. There was no relationship between serum IGF-1 and BTMs in subjects. There were few differences between women with fractures and low BMD.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher serum TRAP5b and PTH suggest that increased bone turnover, possibly related to subclinical secondary hyperparathyroidism could contribute to the pathogenesis of IOP. The absence of differences between women with fractures and those with very low BMD indicates that this distinction may not be clinically useful to categorize young women with osteoporosis.

Effects of intramuscular testosterone undecanoate on body composition and bone mineral density in female-to-male transsexuals

INTRODUCTION

The most common treatment regimen in female-to-male transsexuals is administration of short-acting testosterone esters intramuscularly every 2 weeks.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-acting intramuscular testosterone undecanoate on body composition and bone mineral density during cross-sex hormone therapy in female-to-male transsexuals.

METHODS

Forty-five female-to-male transsexuals (FtMs) were treated with injections of testosterone undecanoate 1,000 mg intramuscularly every 12 weeks over 24 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Body composition, bone mineral density, hormone parameters, and lipids were compared after 12 months and after 24 months with baseline values. Sonographic findings in the ovaries and endometrium, clinical and adverse effects during the study period were recorded.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in lean mass in the FtMs during the study period in comparison with baseline values, whereas no change in BMI, fat mass, and bone mineral density was observed. There was a significant decline in gonadotropins, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, sex hormone-binding globulin, and high-density lipoprotein, while testosterone and triglyceride levels increased significantly after 12 and 24 months. Ovaries remained unchanged and no noticeable endometrial pathology was observed. No mortality or morbidity was observed during the study period. We observed a cessation of menstrual bleeding, an increase in clitoral growth, libido, body and beard hair growth, deepened voices and decline in breast size. There was a significant increase in hemoglobin, hematocrit, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and an increase in systolic blood pressure during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

There was an increase in lean mass during the study period in FtMs treated with testosterone undecanoate. Transsexual patients should be monitored for adverse effects on lipid profiles, blood pressure, and erythrocytosis during intramuscular testosterone undecanoate therapy.

Phytoestrogens and bone health

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The present review summarizes the results of epidemiological studies and clinical trials assessing the skeletal effects of soy foods and soy dietary supplements.

RECENT FINDINGS

Results from epidemiological studies suggest a beneficial skeletal effect in Asian women consuming typical Asian diets, but clinical trials are conflictive regarding the effects of phytoestrogens on bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Much of the controversy lies in differences in study design, reporting of results, participants' age and menopausal status, and type and dose of phytoestrogen used.

SUMMARY

Although western women will likely continue to incorporate soy foods and soy supplements into their diets with the increased availability of these products, published data are inconsistent and do not support soy's protective effect against bone loss. This conflicting evidence should be taken into account when considering using isoflavones in the prevention of bone loss and consequently fractures.

Predictors and prevalence of low bone mineral density in fully ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis

The implications of having multiple sclerosis (MS) for bone health are incompletely understood. The aim of this population-based study is to identify past and current exposures that are associated with bone mass in fully ambulatory persons with MS up to age 50 years and to determine the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) in this group. We measured BMD (hips, lumbar spine, forearms), physical function, BMI, and serum 25(OH) vitamin D in 55 women and 25 men with MS. Patients provided information on demographic variables and medical history, as well as past and current vitamin D and calcium intake, physical activity, and lifestyle habits. In regression analyses, BMD levels were adjusted for age, sex, and BMI. At the femoral neck, strong associations were found for walking distance (beta = 0.152; P < 0.001) and age (beta = -0.004; P = 0.003), and less certain associations for male sex (beta = 0.055; P = 0.014) and 10-foot timed tandem walk (-0.008; P = 0.013). At the lumbar spine, walking distance (beta = 0.013; P = 0.006) and possibly physical activity growing up (beta = 0.035; P = 0.028) and male sex (beta = -0.057; P = 0.042), were associated with BMD. At the ultradistal radius, strength of grip (beta = 0.001; P = 0.002), and, less certainly, summer outdoor activities age 16-20 (beta = 0.021; P = 0.009), and age at MS onset (beta = 0.002; P = 0.036) were associated with BMD. Low BMD (z score < or = -2) was present in 19 out of 80 patients. This study shows that MS-related variables as well as past exposures differentially affect BMD at three clinically important skeletal sites. Low BMD is prevalent in these young patients. Bone health should receive attention in care for persons with MS.

Common mistakes in the clinical use of bone mineral density testing

Bone mineral density (BMD) testing is used to diagnose osteoporosis, assess fracture risk and monitor changes in BMD over time. A variety of devices and technologies are used to measure BMD or other surrogate markers of bone strength. Measurements obtained with these devices are often reported according to different proprietary standards, and the comparability of values obtained with different instruments is often poor. In addition, there is a high degree of variability in the skills of the technologists performing the tests and the clinicians interpreting the results. Heterogeneity in the guidelines for using BMD measurements together with poor-quality BMD testing and reporting can result in inappropriate clinical decisions, causing unnecessary worry and expense for the patient and possible harm due to unnecessary treatment or treatment being withheld. This Review describes and discusses the mistakes commonly made in BMD testing, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining high-quality standards in order to optimize patient management.

Treatment of premenopausal women with low bone mineral density

Interpretation of bone mineral density (BMD) results in premenopausal women is particularly challenging, because the relationship between BMD and fracture risk is not the same as for postmenopausal women. Z scores rather than T scores should be used to define "low BMD" in premenopausal women. The finding of low BMD in a premenopausal woman should prompt an evaluation for secondary causes of bone loss. If a secondary cause is found, management should focus on treatment of this condition. In some cases in which the secondary cause cannot be addressed, such as glucocorticoid therapy or cancer chemotherapy, treatment with a bone-active agent to prevent bone loss should be considered. In women with no fractures and no known secondary cause, low BMD may not signify compromised bone strength. BMD is likely to remain stable in these women, and pharmacologic therapy is rarely justified. Assessment of markers of bone turnover and follow-up bone density measurements can help to identify those with an ongoing process of bone loss that may indicate a higher risk for fracture, and possible need for pharmacologic intervention.

Osteoporosis in urban post-menopausal women of the Philippines: prevalence and risk factors

Summary

The prevalence of osteoporosis was assessed among post-menopausal women dwelling in an urban community of Davao, Philippines using quantitative ultrasonic bone densitometry and its predictors were investigated. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 19.8%. Advancing age, lower body weight, and higher educational attainment were identified as the independent predictors of osteoporosis.

Introduction

This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of osteoporosis among post-menopausal women dwelling in an urban community of the Philippines and investigated the risk factors for osteoporosis using a quantitative ultrasonic bone densitometer.

Methods

The study site was an area with high population density in Davao, the Philippines. Data collection was based on a structured questionnaire interview, and measurements of body size and speed of sound (SOS) at the calcaneus. The SOS T-score was calculated using the young adult mean (YAM) SOS based on data from 905 women aged 20 years and over residing in the community. The data for 339 post-menopausal women were analyzed to identify the prevalence of osteoporosis and its predictors in this study. The predictors of osteoporosis were determined by logistic regression analysis.

Results

The majority of the women lived on low-incomes. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 19.8% in post-menopausal women. Age in 1 year increments (odds ratio [OR] 1.168), body weight (OR 0.954), and duration of education in years (OR 1.132) were predictors of osteoporosis.

Conclusions

This study identified body weight as a modifiable risk factor of osteoporosis for post-menopausal women. Longitudinal observation of the same participants will be necessary to confirm these findings.

Cross-sex pattern of bone mineral density in early onset gender identity disorder

Hormonally controlled differences in bone mineral density (BMD) between males and females are well studied. The effects of cross-sex hormones on bone metabolism in patients with early onset gender identity disorder (EO-GID), however, are unclear. We examined BMD, total body fat (TBF) and total lean body mass (TLBM) in patients prior to initiation of sex hormone treatment and during treatment at months 3 and 12. The study included 33 EO-GID patients who were approved for sex reassignment and a control group of 122 healthy Norwegians (males, n=77; females, n=45). Male patients (n=12) received an oral dose of 50 mug ethinylestradiol daily for the first 3 months and 100 mug daily thereafter. Female patients (n=21) received 250 mg testosterone enantate intramuscularly every third week. BMD, TBF and TLBM were estimated using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In male patients, the DXA measurements except TBF were significantly lower compared to their same-sex control group at baseline and did not change during treatment. In female patients, the DXA measurements were slightly higher than in same-sex controls at baseline and also remained unchanged during treatment. In conclusion, this study reports that body composition and bone density of EO-GID patients show less pronounced sex differences compared to controls and that bone density was unaffected by cross-sex hormone treatment.