Impact of an osteoporosis specialized unit on bone health in breast cancer survivals treated with aromatase inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE: Considering the increased fracture risk in early breast cancer patients treated with aromatase inhibitors (AI), we assessed the impact of a preventive intervention conducted by a specialized osteoporosis unit on bone health at AI treatment start. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort of postmenopausal women who started treatment with AI after breast cancer surgical/chemotherapy treatment and were referred to the osteoporosis unit for a comprehensive assessment of bone health. Bone densitometry and fracture screening by plain X-ray were performed at the baseline visit and once a year for 5 years. RESULTS: The final record included 130 patients. At AI treatment start, 49% had at least one high-risk factor for fractures, 55% had osteopenia, and 39% osteoporosis. Based on the baseline assessment, 79% of patients initiated treatment with bisphosphonates, 88% with calcium, and 79% with vitamin D. After a median of 65 (50-77) months, 4% developed osteopenia or osteoporosis, and 14% improved their densitometric diagnosis. Fifteen fractures were recorded in 11 (8.5%) patients, all of them receiving preventive treatment (10 with bisphosphonates). During the follow-up period, patients with one or more high-risk factors for fracture showed a greater frequency of fractures (15% vs. 3%) and experienced the first fracture earlier than those without high-risk factors (mean of 99 and 102 months, respectively; P=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: The preventive intervention of a specialized unit at the start of AI treatment in breast cancer survivors allows the identification of patients with high fracture risk and may contribute to preventing bone events in these patients.

Sonographically guided percutaneous needle lavage in calcific tendinitis of the shoulder: short- and long-term results.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effectiveness of sonographically guided percutaneous needle aspiration and lavage in calcific tendinitis of the shoulder and to study the progress of calcifications and symptoms in the first year after treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Symptoms and radiologic findings after percutaneous aspiration of calcific tendinitis were prospectively evaluated in the short and the long term using a shoulder pain and disability index, evaluation of shoulder motion, and a survey of the self-perception by the patients regarding the progress of their disease. RESULTS: Sixty-seven consecutive shoulders were treated. A significant improvement was seen in shoulder motion, pain, and disability in the short term and in the long term (p < 0.0001). One year after treatment, 91% of shoulders had substantially or completely improved, 64% had perfect motion, and calcifications on radiography had resolved completely or nearly completely in 89%. A transitory recurrence was observed approximately 15 weeks after treatment in 44.3% of shoulders that improved. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous needle aspiration and lavage is effective in the short term and in the long term in calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, with results similar to or better than those published for other techniques, and it is only slightly invasive and painful. Progress after treatment may include a transitory period of recurrence of the pain.