[Secondary fracture prevention/Update osteoporosis guidelines 2023 of the Umbrella Organization Osteology]

The S3 guidelines on the prophylaxis, diagnostics and treatment of osteoporosis 2023 were completely revised and updated between 2021 and 2023 in accordance with the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies of Germany (AWMF) regulations. The guideline committee consisted of delegates from the 20 specialist societies of the Umbrella Organization Osteology (Dachverband Osteologie, DVO) as well as delegates from the German Society of General Medicine and Family Medicine (DEGAM), the German Society for Nephrology (DGfN) and the Federal Self-help Association for Osteoporosis (BfO).The guidelines focus on preventive measures, diagnostic procedures and treatment approaches for osteoporosis in men aged 50 years and over and postmenopausal women. The main aim is the optimization of care processes, reduction of fracture incidences and maintenance or improvement of the quality of life and functional capacity of patients affected by fractures. A major update to the guidelines includes the introduction of a new risk calculator that can take more risk factors (n = 33) into account and that can estimate the risk of vertebral body and proximal femoral fractures for a 3-year period (previously 10 years). This results in new thresholds for diagnostics and treatment. The programmed app is currently not yet certified as a medical product and a paper version is therefore currently available for patient care with the planned integration of a web-based version of the risk calculator. From the perspective of trauma surgery, the recommendations and innovations for manifest osteoporosis are of particular clinical importance. The focus of the DVO guidelines update is therefore on the implementation of secondary fracture prevention in trauma surgery, orthopedic and geriatric traumatology in the clinical and practical daily routine.

Osteoporosis and bone fractures in patients with celiac disease: A nationwide cohort study

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease caused by an abnormal immune response triggered by ingestion of gluten. Treatment of CD is a lifelong gluten-free diet. Both diagnosed and undiagnosed CD has been found to be associated with reduced bone mineral density, which can lead to an increased risk of fractures. We therefore aimed to investigate the association of CD and the risk of fractures and osteoporosis in Denmark in a nationwide registry-based study. We identified all patients with CD (ICD-10 code K90.0) between 2000 and 2018 and included those with at least two contacts with a CD diagnosis. In total, 9397 CD patients and 93,964 randomly selected age- and sex-matched (1:10) references from the general population were identified. The overall hazard ratio (HR) of developing osteoporosis in CD patients compared with matches was 5.39 (95 % confidence interval (CI): 4.89, 5.95), however when excluding events of osteoporosis occurring within 12 months from the date of diagnosis the overall HR was reduced to 3.87 (95 % CI: 3.44, 4.33). The HR for major osteoporotic fractures was 1.37 (95 % CI: 1.25, 1.51) and for any fractures 1.27 (95 % CI: 1.18, 1.36). For osteoporosis, major osteoporotic fractures, and any fracture prior to diagnosis of CD the odds ratios comparing CD patients with matches were 4.32 (95 % CI: 3.64, 4.68), 1.29 (95 % CI: 1.21, 1.37) and 1.34 (95 % CI: 1.27, 1.41), respectively. Thus, this study showed an increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures among individuals with CD, both before and after diagnosis of CD. These results underline that the risk of osteoporosis should be considered in the clinical management of patients with CD and that early diagnosis and treatment could be important.

Effect of SGLT2 inhibitors versus DPP4 inhibitors on major and non-major osteoporotic fracture risks among general and high-risk type 2 diabetes patients: A nationwide retrospective cohort study

AIMS

To retrospectively analyze the association of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is) with a range of major and non-major fracture events, and explore heterogeneous treatment effect among high-risk patient subgroups.

METHODS

Newly stable SGLT2i or DPP4i users in 2017 were identified in Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database and followed up until a fracture occurred, loss of follow-up, death, or December 31, 2018, whichever came first. Outcomes included composite major and non-major fractures and individual components in major fractures. Cox model and restricted mean survival time (RMST) analyses were utilized to assess the treatment effect on fractures.

RESULTS

21,155 propensity-score-matched SGLT2i and DPP4i users were obtained. Over 2 years, the hazard ratio and RMST difference for major fracture with SGLT2i versus DPP4i use were 0.89 (95% CI, 0.80, 1.00) and 1.51 (-0.17, 3.17) days, respectively, and those for non-major fracture with SGLT2i versus DPP4i use were 0.89 (0.81, 0.98) and 2.44 (0.47, 4.37) days, respectively. A 180-day lag time analysis for fracture outcomes showed consistent results with primary findings. A SGLT2is-associated harmful effect on major fractures (but not on non-major fractures) was observed among female patients and those with a diabetes duration of ≥ 8 years, prior fractures, and established osteoporosis.

CONCLUSION

This study adds supporting real-world evidence for SGLT2is-associated bone safety for a wide range of fractures, which promotes the rational use of SGLT2is in routine care and highlights the importance of the close monitoring of patients with high fracture risks to maximize treatment benefits while reducing undesirable effects.

Exercise and the prevention of major osteoporotic fractures in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis with special emphasis on intensity progression and study duration

The role of exercise in preventing osteoporotic fractures is vague, and further recommendations for optimized exercise protocols are very rare. In the present work, we provided positive evidence for exercise effects on the number of osteoporotic fractures in adults, albeit without observing any significant relevance of intensity progression or study duration.

INTRODUCTION

Osteoporotic fractures are a major challenge confronting our aging society. Exercise might be an efficient agent for reducing osteoporotic fractures in older adults, but the most promising exercise protocol for that purpose has yet to be identified. The present meta-analysis thus aimed to identify important predictors of the exercise effect on osteoporotic fractures in adults.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search of six literature databases according to the PRISMA guideline that included controlled exercise studies and reported the number of low-trauma major osteoporotic fractures separately for exercise (EG) and control (CG) groups. Primary study outcome was incidence ratio (IR) for major osteoporotic fractures. Sub-analyses were conducted for progression of intensity (yes vs. no) during the trial and the study duration (≤ 12 months vs. > 12 months).

RESULTS

In summary, 11 studies with a pooled number of 9715 participant-years in the EG and 9592 in the CG were included. The mixed-effects conditional Poisson regression revealed positive exercise effects on major osteoporotic fractures (RR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.54-0.94, p = .006). Although studies with intensity progression were more favorable, our subgroup analysis did not determine significant differences for diverging intensity progression (p = .133) or study duration (p = .883). Heterogeneity among the trials of the subgroups (I² ≤ 0-7.1%) was negligible.

CONCLUSION

The present systematic review and meta-analysis provided significant evidence for the favorable effect of exercise on major osteoporotic fractures. However, diverging study and exercise characteristics along with the close interaction of exercise parameters prevented the derivation of reliable recommendations for exercise protocols for fracture reductions.

PROSPERO ID

CRD42021250467.

Hospitalizations for major osteoporotic fractures in Switzerland: a long-term trend analysis between 1998 and 2018

Between 1998 and 2018, the number of hospitalizations for major osteoporotic fractures increased. After standardization for age, these numerical increases translated into a reduced incidence of hospitalizations for hip fractures and an increased incidence of hospitalizations for spine, proximal humerus, and distal radius fractures in both sexes.

INTRODUCTION

The longterm epidemiological trends of hospitalizations for major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) between 1998 and 2018 in Switzerland are unknown.

METHODS

The absolute number of acute hospitalizations for MOF (hip fractures and fractures of the spine, proximal humerus, and distal radius) and related length of acute hospital stay were extracted from the medical database of the Swiss Federal Office of Statistics. Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated using 1998 as the reference year.

RESULTS

Hospitalizations for MOF increased from 4483 to 7542 (+ 68.2%) in men and from 13,242 to 19,362 (+ 46.2%) in women. The age-standardized incidence of hospitalizations for MOF increased by 5.7% in men (p = 0.002) and by 5.1% in women (p = 0.018). The age-standardized incidence of hip fractures decreased by 15.3% in men (p < 0.001) and by 21.5% in women (p < 0.001). In parallel, the age-standardized incidence of MOF other than hip fractures increased by 31.8% in men (p < 0.001) and by 40.1% in women (p < 0.001). The mean length of acute hospital stays for MOF decreased from 16.3 to 8.5 days in men and from 16.9 to 8.1 days in women.

CONCLUSION

Between 1998 and 2018, the number of hospitalizations for MOF increased significantly by a larger extent than expected based on the ageing of the Swiss population alone. This increase was solely driven by an increased incidence of MOF other than hip fractures as incident hip fractures decreased over time in both sexes, more so in women than in men.

Secular trends of patients hospitalized for major osteoporotic fractures based on a national claims database

There was a reduction in the hospitalization rate for major osteoporotic fractures. As per our analysis, hospitalization for site-specific fractures showed a declining trend for hip and vertebral fractures for both the sexes. However, an increasing trend was noted in women regarding hospitalization for forearm fracture.

PURPOSE

Major osteoporotic fractures (MOFs) constitute a large proportion of the total expenditures for public healthcare. Knowing the secular trends of MOF will allow for more efficient use of healthcare resources, but such data are insufficient for the current population of Taiwan. Therefore, we investigated the epidemiological data of MOF hospitalization from adults 50 years of age or older in Taiwan during the period 2000-2015.

METHODS

The data analyzed were acquired from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) entries between 2000 and 2015. All study subjects were 50 years of age or older at the time of admission and diagnosed as having MOF.

RESULTS

A general decline was observed in the incidence rate (IR) of MOF hospitalization for the whole population, from 74.52 per 10,000 person-years (PYs) in 2000 to 55.19 in 2015. Females aged ≥65 years had the highest rates of hospitalization for MOF among the subgroups analyzed. Apart from the wrist fracture hospitalization rates in both sexes, which remained steady, all other site-specific fracture hospitalization rates exponentially increased with age. Among men, the IRs of all MOF hospitalization were steady, except for a slight decrease in hip and vertebral fracture hospitalizations. In women, hip and vertebral fracture hospitalization rates gradually decreased, humerus and wrist fracture hospitalization remained steady, and forearm fracture hospitalization increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospitalization rates of MOF decreased. The trend of site-specific fracture hospitalization analysis showed that hip and vertebral fractures decreased for both sexes. However, an increasing trend in forearm fracture hospitalization was noticed among females.

Disease burden of osteoporosis and other non-communicable diseases in Lebanon

Osteoporosis is more common than most feared non-communicable diseases in the Middle East. This justifies the need to place osteoporosis as a health priority in the region.

INTRODUCTION

Osteoporosis is a common disease associated with severe debilitating consequences. The objective of this study is To evaluate and compare disease burden from osteoporosis and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Lebanon.

METHODS

We assessed the prevalence of osteoporosis and other NCDs, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases, based on a published population-based study of Lebanese ≥ 65 years. We compared incidence rates of hip fractures and major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) (spine, hip, humerus, and forearm) to the five commonest cancers in women ≥ 50 years. Rates were based on the national hip fracture and cancer registry data, provided by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. MOF incidence rates were derived from national hip fracture incidence rates and MOF/hip fractures incidence rate ratios from the literature.

RESULTS

Over 70% of elderly Lebanese had osteoporosis defined by densitometric criteria or prevalent morphometric vertebral fractures. This by far exceeded the prevalence of other NCDs, such as hypertension (53%), diabetes (21%), dyslipidemia (31%), and cardiovascular diseases (30%). Morphometric vertebral fractures (grades 2 and 3) were present in 19% of women and 12% of men. The incidence rates for MOF were 1.6 times greater than those for breast cancer, and 7.4-9.9 folds higher than those for the next commonest cancers of the lungs, colon, and ovaries. Hip fracture incidence rates were lower than those of breast cancer but were 2.1-2.8 folds higher than those of the above-mentioned cancers.

CONCLUSION

This first of its kind study in the Middle East demonstrates that osteoporosis is a common disease, more common than most feared NCDs. Our findings are comparable to those in western populations and justify placing osteoporosis on the top of NCDs' priority list in our country and possibly the region.

The role of previous falls in major osteoporotic fracture prediction in conjunction with FRAX in older Chinese men and women: the Mr. OS and Ms. OS cohort study in Hong Kong

Falls are a major concern in terms of fracture risk. Although awareness rising for the absence of falls in the FRAX algorithm, our study only identified the independent predictive role of previous recurrent falls and their better conjunction use with FRAX for major osteoporotic fracture prediction in older Chinese men.

The role of previous falls in major osteoporotic fracture prediction in conjunction with FRAX in older Chinese men and women: the Mr. OS and Ms. OS cohort study in Hong Kong

Falls are a major concern in terms of fracture risk. Although awareness rising for the absence of falls in the FRAX algorithm, our study only identified the independent predictive role of previous recurrent falls and their better conjunction use with FRAX for major osteoporotic fracture prediction in older Chinese men.

INTRODUCTION

Although the association of falls with fracture has been widely explored, the impact of previous falls is not included in the FRAX algorithm currently. Our aim was to examine the FRAX-independent associations between falls in the previous year and subsequent fracture risk, as well as the conjunctive use of falls and the FRAX score for major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) prediction in older Chinese people.

METHODS

Four thousand community older men and women aged 65 years or older were followed up for 9.9 ± 2.7 and 8.8 ± 1.5 years, respectively. The associations between falls in the previous 1 year and MOF risk by follow-up years were evaluated using the Fine and Gray model. New prediction scores were calculated by incorporating the falls and FRAX scores using the Fine and Gray model, or developed by adjusting the FRAX scores by 30% increased risk for each fall in the previous year. The predictive powers for MOF risk between the new scores and FRAX scores were evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) and category-based net reclassification improvement index (NRI).

RESULTS

During the follow-up period, 139 (7.0%) men and 236 (11.8%) women had at least one incident MOF. One previous fall significantly predicted the first year incident MOF in men [hazard ratio (HR) (95%CI), 3.47 (1.02, 11.80)]. Previous recurrent falls significantly predicted a 10-year incident MOF in men [HR (95%CI), 2.42 (1.30, 4.51)]. In men, the fall-adjusting FRAX scores showed significant improvement on total net reclassification of fracture (3-6%). No improved predictive accuracy shown in women.

CONCLUSION

Falls in the previous year are likely to provide some predictive power to FRAX for MOF risk assessment in older Chinese men, but not women.

Added clinical use of trabecular bone score to BMD for major osteoporotic fracture prediction in older Chinese people: the Mr. OS and Ms. OS cohort study in Hong Kong

The thresholds of trabecular bone score (TBS) require validation for clinical application in older Chinese people. The lower threshold of TBS significantly improved the accuracy of prediction by bone mineral density-based osteoporosis status for major osteoporotic fracture in older Chinese men.

INTRODUCTION

Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a relatively new indicator of skeletal fragility. Its clinical application warrants further investigations. Our aim was to validate and recommend practical thresholds of TBS for fracture prediction in older Chinese people.

METHODS

Older men and women in Mr. and Ms. Os (Hong Kong) study were followed up for an average of 9.94 ± 2.77 and 8.82 ± 1.49 years, respectively. Major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) risks of TBS category in each BMD category (normal, osteopenia, or osteoporosis) were compared using Poisson regression model. The improved fracture risk prediction power was evaluated by the sensitivity, the specificity, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC), and the net reclassification improvement index (NRI).

RESULTS

MOF incidence gradually increased with the increased risk categories of bone mineral density (BMD) and tertiles of TBS both in men and women. Compared with the lowest risk category, the rate ratios (RR, 95 % CI) of MOF for osteoporosis with the lowest TBS was 9.66 (4.19-22.26) and 6.24 (1.53-25.42) in men and women, respectively. The fracture risk for osteopenic men with the lowest TBS was significantly higher than that for normal men, with RR (95 % CI) of 4.68 (2.11-10.41). The predictive power of osteoporosis alone was significantly improved by TBS in men [mean AUC (95 % CI) rose from 0.604 (0.562-0.646) to 0.666 (0.623-0.710) and sensitivity rose from 32.5 to 64.3 %]. The improvement in predictive power was not significant in older women.

CONCLUSIONS

TBS in combination with BMD can predict MOF more reliably in older men than by BMD alone.

OS cohort study in Hong Kong

The association of trabecular bone score (TBS) with fracture risk and its added predictive value to FRAX® for clinical use have never been independently evaluated in a Chinese population. TBS may improve the predictive power of FRAX® for clinical use in older Chinese men.

INTRODUCTION

Trabecular bone score (TBS) of lumbar spine on Dual X-ray densitometry provides information on bone architecture. We therefore examined the additive value of TBS to FRAX® in predicting major osteoporotic fractures (MOFs) in older Chinese people.

METHODS

Four thousand community-dwelling Chinese men and women aged ≥65 years were followed up for fracture incidence for an average period of 9.94 and 8.82 years, respectively. At baseline, areal BMD of hip and lumbar spine were measured by DXA, TBS was estimated for the lumbar spine, and FRAX® for 10-year risk of MOFs (hip, clinical spine, shoulder, and wrist) was estimated. Cox regression model was used to evaluate the associations between TBS and FRAX® with the MOFs risk. The area under receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and category-based net reclassification improvement (NRI) were applied to evaluate the improved prediction ability.

RESULTS

During the follow-up, 126 men and 215 women had at least one incident MOF. Each SD decrease in TBS was significantly associated with incident MOFs, with HR (95%CI) of 1.53 (1.30-1.80) and 1.40 (1.22-1.61) in men and women, respectively. TBS-adjusted FRAX® predicts better than FRAX® with a significantly increased AUC and IDI in men. Using specific intervention thresholds, TBS-adjusted FRAX® brings about 5 % overall correct reclassification for MOFs prediction than FRAX® in men. The increased correct MOFs risk classifications were not significant in older women.

CONCLUSIONS

TBS-adjusted FRAX® may improve the predictive power of FRAX® on MOFs for clinical use in older Chinese men.

Hyponatremia, a risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures in women

SUMMARY

Hyponatremia has been linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. We found an increased hazard ratio of major osteoporotic fractures adjusted for potential confounders, including osteoporosis and medication. A reduced BMD was not sufficiently explaining the association. Our data indicate that hyponatremia should be considered a risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures.

INTRODUCTION

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder in clinical practice and could be a risk factor for both osteoporosis and fractures. Mild hyponatremia has traditionally been regarded as a benign and asymptomatic condition; however, data from large population and animal studies have led to a reappraisal of this view. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of hyponatremia with osteoporosis and major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) in women.

METHODS

This is a historical cohort study with fracture follow-up. The study consisted of 5610 patients with available serum sodium and a bone density measurement. Information on potential risk factor was obtained through a questionnaire. Additional information on medication, comorbidities, and fractures was obtained through national registries.

RESULTS

Hyponatremia was associated with significant lower T-scores at total hip and a borderline significant lower T-score at femoral neck in the multivariate analysis. No association was found between hyponatremia and the lumbar spine T-score. Hyponatremia was associated with an increased hazard ratio of sustaining a MOF in the period from 6 months prior to 12 months after serum sodium measurement. Finally, data showed a relationship with increasing serum sodium and an increasing T-score estimate and a decreasing hazard ratio of MOF.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that hyponatremia in women increases the risk of osteoporosis and MOF. The increased risk of MOF was independent of osteoporosis.