Effective risk assessment tools for osteoporosis in the Indian menopausal female

Biomarkers of Osteoporosis: An Update

Background:

Osteoporosis, characterized by compromised bone quality and strength is associated with bone fragility and fracture risk. Biomarkers are crucial for the diagnosis or prognosis of a disease as well as elucidating the mechanism of drug action and improve decision making.

Objective:

An exhaustive description of traditional markers including bone mineral density, vitamin D, alkaline phosphatase, along with potential markers such as microarchitectural determination, trabecular bone score, osteocalcin, etc. is provided in the current piece of work. This review provides insight into novel pathways such as the Wnt signaling pathway, neuro-osseous control, adipogenic hormonal imbalance, gut-bone axis, genetic markers and the role of inflammation that has been recently implicated in osteoporosis.

Methods:

We extensively reviewed articles from the following databases: PubMed, Medline and Science direct. The primary search was conducted using a combination of the following keywords: osteoporosis, bone, biomarkers, bone turnover markers, diagnosis, density, architecture, genetics, inflammation.

Conclusion:

Early diagnosis and intervention delay the development of disease and improve treatment outcome. Therefore, probing for novel biomarkers that are able to recognize people at high risk for developing osteoporosis is an effective way to improve the quality of life of patients and to understand the pathomechanism of the disease in a better way.

Prevalence of Osteoporosis in Peri- and Post-menopausal Women in Slum Area of Mumbai, India

Objective:

We conducted our study involving 1400 peri- and post-menopausal women who live in a slum area of Mumbai to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis, awareness about osteoporosis, education (knowledge regarding osteoporosis), treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

Material and Methods:

A detailed medical, surgical, obstetrical & gynecological, menstrual, and drug history was recorded in a predesigned questionnaire designated for the study. Height and weight and body mass index were measured, physical activity level especially load bearing exercise was recorded, and amount of sunlight exposure per day was also recorded. Food intake was estimated using the 24 h dietary recall method and calcium and Vitamin D consumption pattern was assessed. We used calcaneum quantitative ultrasound to assess bone mineral density (BMD) for such large population.

Results:

The prevalence of low BMD was found in more than half of this population (81%). The mean age in Group I was found to be 36.50 ± 2.74 years as compared to 37.5 ± 3.44 years in Group II with low BMD, which was statistically significant (P = 0.02). The average age at menopause was 51.62 ± 5.72 years in Group I and 49.43 ± 4.52 years in Group II. The number of children and type of menopause has been found to be associated with low BMD in our study. Lack of physical exercise and low-calcium diet were significantly associated with low BMD.

Conclusion:

Our study showed that there is a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and Osteoporosis even in adult women who live in a slum area. The findings from the study also suggest the need for large community-based studies so that high-risk population can be picked up early and early interventions and other lifestyle changes can be instituted so that no delay in implementing state and national or international health policy to tackle this increasing global health problem. The public awareness is important, and strategies to identify and manage low BMD in the primary care setting needs to be established and implemented.

Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and bone mineral density in normal postmenopausal women

Aim:

This study was conducted with the objective of assessing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in postmenopausal women (PMW), to detect osteopenia or osteoporosis in PMW and to establish a correlation between serum 25(OH)D levels and bone mineral density (BMD).

Materials and Methods:

A total of 100 healthy PMW were selected, and a prospective observational study was conducted to correlate the BMD with serum 25(OH)D levels. Their laboratory investigations along with serum 25(OH)D levels were done. Their BMD was assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at lumbar spine and neck of femur; T-scores were derived. Correlation analysis was done to investigate the relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels and BMD.

Results:

The proportion of osteoporosis at the hip was 31.9% in deficient group, 16.1% in insufficient, and 18.2% in sufficient group and at lumbar spine, it was 27.7%, 16.1%, and 22.7%, respectively. Forty-seven percent of PMW had deficient (<20 ng/ml) serum 25(OH)D levels and 31% had insufficiency. T-score at hip in deficient group was −2.05 ± 0.25, and in an insufficient group, it was −1.79 ± 0.13; T-score at lumbar spine was −1.92 ± 0.12 and −1.79 ± 0.12, respectively, but both were not statistically significant. Osteoporosis was seen in 24%, osteopenia in 55% at hip level and 23% and 59% respectively at lumbar spine. There was no association between serum 25(OH)D levels and BMD neither at hip nor at lumbar spine (P = 0.51 and P = 0.79 respectively).

Conclusion:

In this study, among our cohort of patients there was no correlation between serum 25(OH)D levels and BMD. However, Vitamin D deficiency coexists with low BMD. Vitamin D insufficiency is a common risk factor for osteoporosis associated with increased bone remodeling and low bone mass.

Current Clinical Practice Scenario of Osteoporosis Management in India

BACKGROUND

Various osteoporosis guidelines are available for practice.

AIM

To understand the current clinical practice scenario from the perspective of Indian orthopaedicians, especially about the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, approach to diagnosis and management and patient compliance patterns to long term treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A pre-validated structured questionnaire containing questions (mostly objective, some open-ended) catering to various objectives of the study was circulated amongst orthopaedic surgeons across India by means of post/courier, after giving a brief overview of the study telephonically. Data was extracted from the completed questionnaires, and analysed using Microsoft Excel software.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was filled by a total of 84 orthopaedicians throughout India. The prevalence of osteoporosis in India according to the orthopaedic surgeons was 38.4% and there was a female preponderance. Most of the respondents felt out of every 100 osteoporosis patients in India, less than 20 patients are actually diagnosed and treated for osteoporosis. The most common initial presenting feature of established osteoporosis cases was general symptoms. Most respondents preferred Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) as the initial investigation for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in a patient presenting with typical features. While most respondents preferred once-a-month oral over intravenous (IV) bisphosphonates, they agreed that IV administration had advantages such as lower gastrointestinal side effects and improved compliance. The average duration of therapy of oral bisphosphonates was the longest (27.04 months) among the other anti- osteoporosis therapies that they used. On an average, the patient compliance rate in osteoporosis management was around 64%. IV Zoledronic acid (ZA) and intranasal calcitonin were infrequently used than other anti- osteoporosis therapies. While concerns about cost and availability deterred more frequent usage, there was an agreement that if used regularly these two agents may improve compliance rates among patients.

CONCLUSION

Current clinical practice scenario of osteoporosis management in India largely adheres to various clinical practice guidelines for osteoporosis. Side effects and lengthy duration of therapy with bisphosphonates seem to be the main factors leading to a low patient compliance. Widespread popularization of once-yearly Zoledronic acid and intranasal calcitonin spray may improve patient compliance and reduce side effect incidence.

Prevalence and related risk factors of osteoporosis in peri- and postmenopausal Indian women

AIM

We undertook this study involving 200 peri- and postmenopausal women to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis, and in turn increase the awareness, education, prevention, and treatment of osteoporosis.

SETTING AND DESIGN

Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, UT Chandigarh, India, and a clinical study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A detailed medical, obstetrical, menstrual, and drug history was recorded in a proforma designated for the study. Height and weight was measured, weight-bearing exercise was assessed, and sunlight exposure per day for each woman was recorded. Food intake was estimated by using the 24-hour dietary recall method, and calcium and vitamin D consumption pattern was assessed. Bone mineral density (BMD) at postero-anterior lumbar spine and dual femurs was assessed by densitometer. Women were classified according to the WHO criteria.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Student's t-test, multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of low BMD was found in more than half of this population (53%). The mean age in group I (normal BMD) was found to be 50.56 ± 5.74 years as compared to 52.50 ± 5.94 in group II with low BMD (P=0.02). The two groups were similar with respect to parity, education, socioeconomic status, family history of osteoporosis, hormone replacement therapy, and thyroid disorders. 46.8% of the women in group I and 33% of the women in group II had low physical activity and there was no statistically significant difference in sunlight exposure between the groups. Parity or the number of children and type of menopause was not seen to have much association with low BMD in our study. Lack of exercise and low calcium diet were significantly associated with low BMD. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, exercise, menopause, and low calcium diet acted as significant predictors of low bone density.

CONCLUSION

The findings from the study suggest the need for large community-based studies so that high-risk population can be picked up and early interventions and other life style changes can be instituted if there is delay in implementing national or international health strategies to tackle this increasing global health problem. Strategies to identify and manage low BMD in the primary care setting need to be established and implemented.