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Whittier DE, Bevers MSAM, Geusens PPMM, van den Bergh JP, Gabel L. Characterizing Bone Phenotypes Related to Skeletal Fragility Using Advanced Medical Imaging. Curr Osteoporos Rep 2023; 21:685-697. [PMID: 37884821 PMCID: PMC10724303 DOI: 10.1007/s11914-023-00830-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Summarize the recent literature that investigates how advanced medical imaging has contributed to our understanding of skeletal phenotypes and fracture risk across the lifespan. RECENT FINDINGS Characterization of bone phenotypes on the macro-scale using advanced imaging has shown that while wide bones are generally stronger than narrow bones, they may be more susceptible to age-related declines in bone strength. On the micro-scale, HR-pQCT has been used to identify bone microarchitecture phenotypes that improve stratification of fracture risk based on phenotype-specific risk factors. Adolescence is a key phase for bone development, with distinct sex-specific growth patterns and significant within-sex bone property variability. However, longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate how early skeletal growth impacts adult bone phenotypes and fracture risk. Metabolic and rare bone diseases amplify fracture risk, but the interplay between bone phenotypes and disease remains unclear. Although bone phenotyping is a promising approach to improve fracture risk assessment, the clinical availability of advanced imaging is still limited. Consequently, alternative strategies for assessing and managing fracture risk include vertebral fracture assessment from clinically available medical imaging modalities/techniques or from fracture risk assessment tools based on clinical risk factors. Bone fragility is not solely determined by its density but by a combination of bone geometry, distribution of bone mass, microarchitecture, and the intrinsic material properties of bone tissue. As such, different individuals can exhibit distinct bone phenotypes, which may predispose them to be more vulnerable or resilient to certain perturbations that influence bone strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle E Whittier
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| | - Melissa S A M Bevers
- Department of Internal Medicine, VieCuri Medical Center, Venlo, The Netherlands
- NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research In Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Piet P M M Geusens
- Subdivision of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Joop P van den Bergh
- Department of Internal Medicine, VieCuri Medical Center, Venlo, The Netherlands
- NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research In Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Subdivision of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Leigh Gabel
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Gazzotti S, Aparisi Gómez MP, Schileo E, Taddei F, Sangiorgi L, Fusaro M, Miceli M, Guglielmi G, Bazzocchi A. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography: research or clinical practice? Br J Radiol 2023; 96:20221016. [PMID: 37195008 PMCID: PMC10546468 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20221016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
High-resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT) is a low-dose three-dimensional imaging technique, originally developed for in vivo assessment of bone microarchitecture at the distal radius and tibia in osteoporosis. HR-pQCT has the ability to discriminate trabecular and cortical bone compartments, providing densitometric and structural parameters. At present, HR-pQCT is mostly used in research settings, despite evidence showing that it may be a valuable tool in osteoporosis and other diseases. This review summarizes the main applications of HR-pQCT and addresses the limitations that currently prevent its integration into routine clinical practice. In particular, the focus is on the use of HR-pQCT in primary and secondary osteoporosis, chronic kidney disease (CKD), endocrine disorders affecting bone, and rare diseases. A section on novel potential applications of HR-pQCT is also present, including assessment of rheumatic diseases, knee osteoarthritis, distal radius/scaphoid fractures, vascular calcifications, effect of medications, and skeletal muscle. The reviewed literature seems to suggest that a more widespread implementation of HR-pQCT in clinical practice would offer notable opportunities. For instance, HR-pQCT can improve the prediction of incident fractures beyond areal bone mineral density provided by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In addition, HR-pQCT may be used for the monitoring of anti-osteoporotic therapy or for the assessment of mineral and bone disorder associated with CKD. Nevertheless, several obstacles currently prevent a broader use of HR-pQCT and would need to be targeted, such as the small number of installed machines worldwide, the uncertain cost-effectiveness, the need for improved reproducibility, and the limited availability of reference normative data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Gazzotti
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Schileo
- Bioengineering and Computing Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fulvia Taddei
- Bioengineering and Computing Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Sangiorgi
- Department of Medical Genetics and Rare Orthopaedic Diseases, and CLIBI Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Marco Miceli
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Bazzocchi
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
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Laurent MR, Goemaere S, Verroken C, Bergmann P, Body JJ, Bruyère O, Cavalier E, Rozenberg S, Lapauw B, Gielen E. Prevention and Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis in Adults: Consensus Recommendations From the Belgian Bone Club. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:908727. [PMID: 35757436 PMCID: PMC9219603 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.908727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are effective immunomodulatory drugs used for many inflammatory disorders as well as in transplant recipients. However, both iatrogenic and endogenous glucocorticoid excess are also associated with several side effects including an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is a common secondary cause of osteoporosis in adults. Despite availability of clear evidence and international guidelines for the prevention of GIOP, a large treatment gap remains. In this narrative review, the Belgian Bone Club (BBC) updates its 2006 consensus recommendations for the prevention and treatment of GIOP in adults. The pathophysiology of GIOP is multifactorial. The BBC strongly advises non-pharmacological measures including physical exercise, smoking cessation and avoidance of alcohol abuse in all adults at risk for osteoporosis. Glucocorticoids are associated with impaired intestinal calcium absorption; the BBC therefore strongly recommend sufficient calcium intake and avoidance of vitamin D deficiency. We recommend assessment of fracture risk, taking age, sex, menopausal status, prior fractures, glucocorticoid dose, other clinical risk factors and bone mineral density into account. Placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of alendronate, risedronate, zoledronate, denosumab and teriparatide in GIOP. We suggest monitoring by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and vertebral fracture identification one year after glucocorticoid initiation. The trabecular bone score might be considered during DXA monitoring. Extended femur scans might be considered at the time of DXA imaging in glucocorticoid users on long-term (≥ 3 years) antiresorptive therapy. Bone turnover markers may be considered for monitoring treatment with anti-resorptive or osteoanabolic drugs in GIOP. Although the pathophysiology of solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-induced osteoporosis extends beyond GIOP alone, the BBC recommends similar evaluation, prevention, treatment and follow-up principles in these patients. Efforts to close the treatment gap in GIOP and implement available effective fracture prevention strategies into clinical practice in primary, secondary and tertiary care are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël R. Laurent
- Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases, Department of Geriatrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Geriatrics, Imelda Hospital, Bonheiden, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Michaël R. Laurent,
| | - Stefan Goemaere
- Unit for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Verroken
- Unit for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pierre Bergmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Brugmann, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Jacques Body
- Department of Medicine, CHU Brugmann, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Olivier Bruyère
- WHO Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Ageing, Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Etienne Cavalier
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Liège, CHU de Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Serge Rozenberg
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bruno Lapauw
- Unit for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelien Gielen
- Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases, Department of Geriatrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Gerontology and Geriatrics section, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University Hospitals Leuven and KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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van den Bergh JP, Szulc P, Cheung AM, Bouxsein M, Engelke K, Chapurlat R. The clinical application of high-resolution peripheral computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in adults: state of the art and future directions. Osteoporos Int 2021; 32:1465-1485. [PMID: 34023944 PMCID: PMC8376700 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-021-05999-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
High-resolution peripheral computed tomography (HR-pQCT) was developed to image bone microarchitecture in vivo at peripheral skeletal sites. Since the introduction of HR-pQCT in 2005, clinical research to gain insight into pathophysiology of skeletal fragility and to improve prediction of fractures has grown. Meanwhile, the second-generation HR-pQCT device has been introduced, allowing novel applications such as hand joint imaging, assessment of subchondral bone and cartilage thickness in the knee, and distal radius fracture healing. This article provides an overview of the current clinical applications and guidance on interpretation of results, as well as future directions. Specifically, we provide an overview of (1) the differences and reference data for HR-pQCT variables by age, sex, and race/ethnicity; (2) fracture risk prediction using HR-pQCT; (3) the ability to monitor response of anti-osteoporosis therapy with HR-pQCT; (4) the use of HR-pQCT in patients with metabolic bone disorders and diseases leading to secondary osteoporosis; and (5) novel applications of HR-pQCT imaging. Finally, we summarize the status of the application of HR-pQCT in clinical practice and discuss future directions. From the clinical perspective, there are both challenges and opportunities for more widespread use of HR-pQCT. Assessment of bone microarchitecture by HR-pQCT improves fracture prediction in mostly normal or osteopenic elderly subjects beyond DXA of the hip, but the added value is marginal. The prospects of HR-pQCT in clinical practice need further study with respect to medication effects, metabolic bone disorders, rare bone diseases, and other applications such as hand joint imaging and fracture healing. The mostly unexplored potential may be the differentiation of patients with only moderately low BMD but severe microstructural deterioration, which would have important implications for the decision on therapeutical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P van den Bergh
- Department of Internal Medicine, VieCuri Medical Center, Venlo, The Netherlands.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Faculty of Medicine, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
| | - P Szulc
- INSERM UMR 1033, Université de Lyon, Hôpital E Herriot, 69437 cedex 03, Lyon, France
| | - A M Cheung
- Department of Medicine and Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network; and Department of Medicine and Centre of Excellence in Skeletal Health Assessment, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - M Bouxsein
- Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - K Engelke
- Department of Medicine 3, FAU University Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - R Chapurlat
- INSERM UMR 1033, Université de Lyon, Hôpital E Herriot, 69437 cedex 03, Lyon, France
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Tung JYL, Lam TP, Chan SHS. Bone microarchitectural alterations in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy on long-term glucocorticoid treatment. J Bone Miner Metab 2021; 39:606-611. [PMID: 33400004 DOI: 10.1007/s00774-020-01196-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Osteoporosis is a major health issue in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Data on the specific bone deficits and microarchitectural alterations in children with DMD were limited. This study aimed to assess the bone microarchitectural alterations in boys with DMD on long-term glucocorticoid using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional, case-control study. Boys with DMD older than 5 years with no prior history of symptomatic fracture and had been on long-term glucocorticoid treatment were recruited from a single tertiary centre. For each participant, three gender- and age-matched controls were selected randomly from an existing HR-pQCT database of healthy individuals. RESULTS Nine boys with DMD at a median age of 9.3 years were included. Three were found to have asymptomatic vertebral compression fracture. The HR-pQCT findings of these nine boys were compared with 27 healthy controls. Trabecular microstructure indices at the distal radius were significantly lower but the cortical vBMD was significantly higher in the DMD boys when compared with healthy controls. CONCLUSION Lower microarchitectural measurement of trabecular bones, but higher cortical vBMD, was observed in DMD boys on long-term oral glucocorticoid. The results from this study provide preliminary, yet important insights into the bone microarchitecture of this group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Yuet-Ling Tung
- Department of Paediatrics, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, 1 Shing Cheong Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
- Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
| | - Tsz-Ping Lam
- SH Ho Scoliosis Research Lab, Joint Scoliosis Research Center of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Sophelia Hoi-Shan Chan
- Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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Florez H, Hernández-Rodríguez J, Muxi A, Carrasco JL, Prieto-González S, Cid MC, Espinosa G, Gómez-Puerta JA, Monegal A, Guañabens N, Peris P. Trabecular bone score improves fracture risk assessment in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020; 59:1574-1580. [PMID: 31628810 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyse the clinical utility of trabecular bone score (TBS) evaluation for fracture risk assessment in glucocorticoid (GC)-treated patients compared with BMD assessment. METHODS One hundred and twenty-seven patients on GC treatment were included [mean age 62 (18) years, 63% women] in this cross-sectional study. The medical history, anthropometric data, lumbar and femoral BMD (DXA) [considering osteoporosis (OP): T-score ⩽-2.5], TBS (considering degraded microarchitecture: <1.230) and dorsolumbar X-ray [to assess vertebral fractures (VF)] were evaluated. BMD and TBS sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were evaluated to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the two methods. RESULTS All patients were receiving GC treatment for autoimmune diseases during 47.7 (68.9) months at a mean daily dose of 14.5 mg; 17% had VF, 28% any type of fragility fracture (VF + non-VF), 29% OP and 52% degraded microarchitecture. Degraded microarchitecture was significantly more frequent than densitometric OP in patients with VF (76% vs 38%) and with any fragility fracture (69% vs 36%). For VF, TBS and BMD sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 0.76, 0.53, 0.25 and 0.92, and 0.38, 0.72, 0.22 and 0.85, respectively. Specificity increased to 0.89 for VF and 0.9 for any fragility fracture on combining BMD+TBS. TBS had better ability than BMD to discriminate between patients with fracture, especially VF (area under the curve = 0.73). CONCLUSION TBS seems to have greater discriminative power than BMD for fracture risk assessment in GC-treated patients, confirming the utility of this method as a complementary tool in the diagnosis of GC-induced OP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Florez
- Metabolic Bone Diseases Unit, Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona
| | | | - Africa Muxi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona
| | | | | | - Maria C Cid
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona
| | - Gerard Espinosa
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona
| | - Jose A Gómez-Puerta
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Monegal
- Metabolic Bone Diseases Unit, Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona
| | - Núria Guañabens
- Metabolic Bone Diseases Unit, Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona
| | - Pilar Peris
- Metabolic Bone Diseases Unit, Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Identifying individuals at high fracture risk can be used to target those likely to derive the greatest benefit from treatment. This narrative review examines recent developments in using specific risk factors used to assess fracture risk, with a focus on publications in the last 3 years. RECENT FINDINGS There is expanding evidence for the recognition of individual clinical risk factors and clinical use of composite scores in the general population. Unfortunately, enthusiasm is dampened by three pragmatic randomized trials that raise questions about the effectiveness of widespread population screening using clinical fracture prediction tools given suboptimal participation and adherence. There have been refinements in risk assessment in special populations: men, patients with diabetes, and secondary causes of osteoporosis. New evidence supports the value of vertebral fracture assessment (VFA), high resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT), opportunistic screening using CT, skeletal strength assessment with finite element analysis (FEA), and trabecular bone score (TBS). The last 3 years have seen important developments in the area of fracture risk assessment, both in the research setting and translation to clinical practice. The next challenge will be incorporating these advances into routine work flows that can improve the identification of high risk individuals at the population level and meaningfully impact the ongoing crisis in osteoporosis management.
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Affiliation(s)
- William D Leslie
- Departments of Medicine and Radiology, University of Manitoba, 409 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2H 2A6, Canada.
| | - Suzanne N Morin
- Department of Medicine, McGill University- McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Diez-Perez A, Brandi ML, Al-Daghri N, Branco JC, Bruyère O, Cavalli L, Cooper C, Cortet B, Dawson-Hughes B, Dimai HP, Gonnelli S, Hadji P, Halbout P, Kaufman JM, Kurth A, Locquet M, Maggi S, Matijevic R, Reginster JY, Rizzoli R, Thierry T. Radiofrequency echographic multi-spectrometry for the in-vivo assessment of bone strength: state of the art-outcomes of an expert consensus meeting organized by the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO). Aging Clin Exp Res 2019; 31:1375-1389. [PMID: 31422565 PMCID: PMC6763416 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-019-01294-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this paper was to review the available approaches for bone strength assessment, osteoporosis diagnosis and fracture risk prediction, and to provide insights into radiofrequency echographic multi spectrometry (REMS), a non-ionizing axial skeleton technique. METHODS A working group convened by the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis met to review the current image-based methods for bone strength assessment and fracture risk estimation, and to discuss the clinical perspectives of REMS. RESULTS Areal bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the consolidated indicator for osteoporosis diagnosis and fracture risk assessment. A more reliable fracture risk estimation would actually require an improved assessment of bone strength, integrating also bone quality information. Several different approaches have been proposed, including additional DXA-based parameters, quantitative computed tomography, and quantitative ultrasound. Although each of them showed a somewhat improved clinical performance, none satisfied all the requirements for a widespread routine employment, which was typically hindered by unclear clinical usefulness, radiation doses, limited accessibility, or inapplicability to spine and hip, therefore leaving several clinical needs still unmet. REMS is a clinically available technology for osteoporosis diagnosis and fracture risk assessment through the estimation of BMD on the axial skeleton reference sites. Its automatic processing of unfiltered ultrasound signals provides accurate BMD values in view of fracture risk assessment. CONCLUSIONS New approaches for improved bone strength and fracture risk estimations are needed for a better management of osteoporotic patients. In this context, REMS represents a valuable approach for osteoporosis diagnosis and fracture risk prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adolfo Diez-Perez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital del Mar/IMIM and CIBERFES, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Passeig Maritim 25-29, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Maria Luisa Brandi
- FirmoLab Fondazione F.I.R.M.O., Florence, Italy
- Department of Biological, Experimental and Clinical Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Nasser Al-Daghri
- Chair for Biomarkers of Chronic Diseases, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Jaime C Branco
- NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Olivier Bruyère
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Loredana Cavalli
- FirmoLab Fondazione F.I.R.M.O., Florence, Italy
- Department of Biological, Experimental and Clinical Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Cyrus Cooper
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Bernard Cortet
- Department of Rheumatology and EA 4490, University-Hospital of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Bess Dawson-Hughes
- Bone Metabolism Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hans Peter Dimai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefano Gonnelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Peyman Hadji
- Frankfurter Hormon und Osteoporose Zentrum, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Jean-Marc Kaufman
- Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andreas Kurth
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Osteology, Klinikum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Mayor Teaching Hospital, Charite Medical School, Berlin, Germany
| | - Medea Locquet
- Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Stefania Maggi
- National Research Council, Aging Program, Institute of Neuroscience, Padua, Italy
| | - Radmila Matijevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jean-Yves Reginster
- Chair for Biomarkers of Chronic Diseases, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - René Rizzoli
- Service of Bone Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Thierry
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Nord, CHU St Etienne, St Etienne, France
- INSERM 1059, University of Lyon, St Etienne, France
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