Increased prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in systemic sclerosis patients, including in men and young women- a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis prevalence and systemic sclerosis (SSc) specific associations of BMD in SSc patients compared with background population. METHODS: In total, 211 SSc patients (182 women, 29 men; mean age 61.3 and 62.2 respectively) and 505 age and sex matched controls from the same geographic area participated. BMD and T-score at total hip and lumbar spine was measured by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Osteopenia was defined as T-score -1.0 to -2.5; osteoporosis as T-score ≤-2.5. Associates of low BMD were identified by multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Women with SSc had lower BMD for total hip (p< 0.001) and spine (p= 0.011), equivalent to ΔT-score -0.56 and -0.35 compared with controls. Osteopenia was present in 51.6% and 16.5% had osteoporosis (p= 0.001, compared with controls). Already in women below age 45, differences in hip BMD were apparent (ΔT-score -0.93, p= 0.005). In addition to expected risk factors for osteoporosis (older age, lower BMI and menopause), finger ulcers (p= 0.009) and diffuse skin involvement (p= 0.027) were associated with lower hip BMD in women. In men with SSc, more than half displayed osteopenia or osteoporosis and had numerically lower hip BMD than their age matched counterparts. CONCLUSION: SSc patients, including men and younger women, have lower BMD than the background population. Finger ulcers and diffuse skin involvement, in addition to older age, lower BMI and being post-menopausal, are associated with lower BMD in women. The data emphasizes the importance of performing bone health assessment of all SSc patients, including men and young subjects.

Osteosarcopenia: Prevalence and 10-Year Fracture and Mortality Risk - A Longitudinal, Population-Based Study of 75-Year-Old Women.

Osteosarcopenia is the coexistence of low bone mass and sarcopenia. In older women, its prevalence is not well described, and it is unknown if sarcopenia is additive to low bone mass for fracture and mortality risk. The study investigated prevalence of osteosarcopenia and if osteosarcopenia is associated with higher fracture and mortality risk than low bone mass alone in older community-dwelling women. The longitudinal, population-based OPRA Cohort (n = 1044), all aged 75 at inclusion, followed for 10 years. Using WHO and EWGSOP2 definitions for low bone mass (T-score < -1.0 femoral neck) and sarcopenia (knee strength; appendicular lean muscle mass) women were categorized (1) Normal, (2) Low bone mass (LBM), and 3) Osteosarcopenia (probable; confirmed). Risk of hip, major osteoporotic fracture, and mortality were estimated. Osteosarcopeniaconfirmed prevalence increased from age 75 to 80 and 85 from 3.0% (29/970) to 4.9% (32/656) to 9.2% (33/358) but prevalence is potentially 2-4 times higher (11.8%, 13.4%, 20.3%) based on osteosarcopeniaprobable. Having osteosarcopeniaprobable significantly increased 10-year risk of hip fracture (HRadj 2.67 [1.34-5.32]), major osteoporotic fracture (HRadj 2.04 [1.27-3.27]), and mortality (HRadj 1.91 [1.21-3.04]). In contrast, LBM increased osteoporotic fracture risk (HRadj 2.08 [1.46-2.97], but not hip fracture (HRadj 1.62 [0.92-2.85]) or mortality (HRadj 0.94 [0.64-1.38]). Median time-to-hip fracture was 7.6 years (normal), 6.0 years (LBM), and 5.7 years (osteosarcopeniaprobable). Prevalence of confirmed osteosarcopenia is almost 10% at age 85. Probable osteosarcopenia significantly increased risk of hip and major osteoporotic fractures and mortality more so than low bone mass alone.

Differential expression of the inflammatory ciita gene may be accompanied by altered bone properties in intact sex steroid-deficient female rats.

OBJECTIVE: The class II transactivator (CIITA), encoded by the CIITA gene, controls expression of immune response regulators, which affect bone homeostasis. Previously, we investigated a functional CIITA polymorphism in elderly women. Women carrying the allele associated with lower CIITA levels displayed higher bone mineral density (BMD), but also higher bone loss. The present exploratory study in a rat model sought to investigate effects of differential expression of Ciita on bone structural integrity and strength. Two strains DA (normal-to-high expression) and DA.VRA4 (lower expression) underwent ovariectomy (OVX) or sham-surgery at ~ 14-weeks of age (DA OVX n = 8, sham n = 4; DA.VRA4 OVX n = 10, sham n = 2). After 16-weeks, femoral BMD and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured and morphometry and biomechanical testing performed. RESULTS: In DA.VRA4 rats, BMD/BMC, cross-sectional area and biomechanical properties were lower. Ciita expression was accompanied by OVX-induced changes to cross-sectional area and femoral shaft strength; DA rats had lower maximum load-to-fracture. Thus, while lower Ciita expression associated with lower bone mass, OVX induced changes to structural and mechanical bone properties were less pronounced. CONCLUSION: The data tentatively suggests association between Ciita expression and structural and mechanical bone properties, and a possible role in bone changes resulting from estrogen deficiency.

Bone mineral density loci specific to the skull portray potential pleiotropic effects on craniosynostosis.

Skull bone mineral density (SK-BMD) provides a suitable trait for the discovery of key genes in bone biology, particularly to intramembranous ossification, not captured at other skeletal sites. We perform a genome-wide association meta-analysis (n ~ 43,800) of SK-BMD, identifying 59 loci, collectively explaining 12.5% of the trait variance. Association signals cluster within gene-sets involved in skeletal development and osteoporosis. Among the four novel loci (ZIC1, PRKAR1A, AZIN1/ATP6V1C1, GLRX3), there are factors implicated in intramembranous ossification and as we show, inherent to craniosynostosis processes. Functional follow-up in zebrafish confirms the importance of ZIC1 on cranial suture patterning. Likewise, we observe abnormal cranial bone initiation that culminates in ectopic sutures and reduced BMD in mosaic atp6v1c1 knockouts. Mosaic prkar1a knockouts present asymmetric bone growth and, conversely, elevated BMD. In light of this evidence linking SK-BMD loci to craniofacial abnormalities, our study provides new insight into the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of skeletal diseases.

Pro-Inflammatory Proteins Associated with Frailty and Its Progression-A Longitudinal Study in Community-Dwelling Women.

The complex pathophysiology underlying biological aging creates challenges for identifying biomarkers associated with frailty. This longitudinal, nontargeted proteomics study aimed to identify proteins associated with frailty, particularly the change from nonfrail to frail. The population-based Osteoporosis Prospective Risk Assessment cohort includes women all of whom are 75 years old at inclusion (n = 1044) and reassessed at 80 years (n = 715) and 85 years (n = 382). A deficits in health frailty index (FI) and 92 plasma proteins (Olink CVD-II panel) were available at all ages. The identical age facilitated differentiating chronological and biological aging. Bidirectional analyses, performed cross-sectionally and longitudinally, used regression models controlled for false discovery rate (FDR), across 5- and 10-year time windows and longitudinal mixed models. Frailty outcomes were frailty index, frailty status (frail defined as FI ≥ 0.25), change in frailty index, and change in frailty status, together with protein expression or change in protein expression. Elevated levels of 32 proteins were positively associated with the FI, cross-sectionally at all ages (range: ß-coefficients 0.22-2.06; FDR 0.021-0.024), of which 18 were also associated with frailty status (range: odds ratios 1.40-5.77; FDR 0.022-0.016). Based on the accrued data, eight core proteins (CD4, FGF23, Gal-9, PAR-1, REN, TNFRSF10A TNFRSF11A, and TNFRSF10B) are proposed. A one-unit change in the FI was additively associated with increased protein expression over 5 and 10 years (range: ß-coefficients 0.52-1.59; p < 0.001). Increments in baseline FI consistently associated with a change in protein expression over time (5 years, ß-range 0.05-1.35; 10 years, ß-range 0.51-1.48; all p < 0.001). A one-unit increase in protein expression was also associated with an increased probability of being frail (FI ≥ 0.25) (ß-range: 0.14-0.61). Mirroring the multisystem deterioration that typifies frailty, the proteins and their associated biological pathways reflect pathologies, including the renal system, skeletal homeostasis, and TRAIL-activated apoptotic signaling. The core proteins are compelling candidates for understanding the development and progression of frailty with advancing age, including the intrinsic musculoskeletal component. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Bone mass in Saudi women aged 20-40 years: the association with obesity and vitamin D deficiency.

This study describes that low bone density is prevalent in premenopausal Saudi women, especially women of normal weight and vitamin D deficiency. Although BMD is higher in obese young women, this may not be beneficial later in life in conjunction with persistent vitamin D deficiency. INTRODUCTION: Not attaining peak bone mass is one crucial factor contributing to the risk of developing osteoporosis and suffering fractures in later life. The objectives of this study were to describe the normal range of bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in premenopausal Saudi women in relation to obesity and vitamin D insufficiency. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 312 healthy Saudi women aged 20-40. All women were clinically examined. BMD (g/cm2) and BMC (g) assessed at total body (TB), femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) were performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and vitamin D deficiency defined as 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L. RESULTS: Almost half of the studied women were obese, and the majority (86.2%) were deficient in vitamin D. Mean BMD in TB 1.060 ± 0.091, FN 0.918 ± 0.153 and LS 1.118 ± 0.123 g/cm2, while TB-BMC 2077 ± 272 g. When classified by BMI, the proportion with low bone density was 2-3 times higher among the normal weight compared to the obese women, p < 0.001. In the cohort overall, ~ 19% of these young premenopausal women had osteopenia or osteoporosis at the femoral neck, but 26% in normal weight, vitamin D deficient women. CONCLUSION: This study shows low bone density in premenopausal Saudi women, particularly those with normal weight. While obesity appears to confer some protection against vitamin D deficiency at this age, this is assumed to change in later life.

Bone Turnover Marker Profiling and Fracture Risk in Older Women: Fracture Risk from Age 75 to 90.

PURPOSE: A major challenge in osteoporosis is to identify individuals at high fracture risk. We investigated six bone turnover markers (BTMs) to determine association with specific fracture types; the time-frame for risk prediction and whether these are influenced by age at assessment. METHODS: Population-based OPRA cohort (n = 1044) was assessed at ages 75, 80, 85 and fractures documented for up to 15 years. Six BTMs were analyzed at each time-point (N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen, PINP; total osteocalcin, OC; bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, BALP; C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, CTX; tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b, TRAcP5b; urinary osteocalcin). Hazard ratios (HR) for any, major osteoporotic, vertebral and hip fractures were calculated as short (1, 2, 3 years) and long-term risk (5, 10, 15 years). RESULTS: At 75 year, high CTX levels were associated with an increased risk of all fractures, including major osteoporotic fractures, across most time-frames (HRs ranging: 1.28 to 2.28). PINP was not consistently associated. Urinary osteocalcin was consistently associated with elevated short-term risk (HRs ranging: 1.83-2.72). Other BTMs were directionally in accordance, though not all statistically significant. BTMs were not predictive for hip fractures. Association of all BTMs attenuated over time; at 80 year none were associated with an increased fracture risk. CONCLUSION: CTX, urinary OC and TRAcP5b are predictive for fracture in a 1 to 3 year, perspective, whereas in the long-term or above age 80 years, BTMs appear less valuable. Resorption markers, particularly CTX, were more consistently associated with fracture risk than formation markers in the very elderly.

Bone health as a co-morbidity of chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease and osteoporosis commonly co-exist in aged patients. Chronic kidney disease affects bone health because of its effect on mineral metabolism in the syndrome, Chronic Kidney Disease Mineral and Bone Disorder, resulting in an increased risk of fractures. Hip fracture risk may be as much as four-fold higher in the worst affected. Tools to estimate fracture risk such as FRAX® and measuring bone density can be used in patients with chronic kidney disease; however, bone density may underestimate fracture risk in this population as it does not give information on bone quality. While osteoporosis treatment in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 1-3 does not differ from the general population, in the absence of Chronic Kidney Disease Mineral and Bone Disorder, patients with disease stage 4-5 require special consideration. It is, however, of the utmost importance that these patients receive pharmacological treatment because of their high risk of fractures.

A "snap-shot" visual estimation of health and objectively measured frailty: capturing general health in aging older women.

BACKGROUND: In clinic, a subjective visual estimation of a patient's general health often guides interventions, yet little is known of how this assessment relates to objectively measured frailty. AIMS: To characterize the relationship between these two assessments and explore the implication of discordance. METHODS: The study was performed in the OPRA cohort of 75-year old community-dwelling women (n = 1044). Visual perception of health (VPH) was estimated within 15 s from first sight and stratified into tertiles (poor/intermediate/good health). Frailty was measured using a frailty index (FI) (scored 0.0-1.0) and stratified into tertiles: 'frail' (≥ 0.22), 'pre-frail' (0.13-0-21) and 'non-frail' (≤ 0.12). Association between VPH and FI and with 10-year mortality was evaluated using Kaplan Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: VPH and FI correlated, but was strongest in those perceived to be in poor health (rs = 0.424, p < 0.001). Approximately half of these women were also objectively frail (53.7%). Similarly, 50.7% perceived to be in good health were also objectively non-frail. However, for one in ten, perceived health was discordant with measured frailty. Subjective and objective measures were associated with mortality, but VPH lacked discrimination in healthier looking women (p = 0.372) compared to FI (p = 0.002). DISCUSSION: Detecting pre-frailty is important to prevent or slow the transition into a frail state. The frailest can be identified with a visual estimation, but only objective frailty assessments can reliably identity pre-frailty. CONCLUSIONS: A visual estimation of health provides valuable complementary information on health, whereas objective assessment of frailty has a broader applicability for health in aging.

Impaired selective renal filtration captured by eGFRcysC/eGFRcrea ratio is associated with mortality in a population based cohort of older women.

Deranged renal filtration of mid-sized (5-30 kDa) compared to smaller molecules (< 0.9 kDa) results in increased plasma levels of cystatin C (cysC) compared to creatinine resulting in a low eGFRcysC/eGFRcrea ratio. A ratio below 0.6 or 0.7, is termed shrunken pore syndrome (SPS), which in patient based studies is associated with mortality. Reference values for eGFRcysC/eGFRcrea ratio, the prevalence of SPS and the consequence of low eGFRcysC/eGFRcrea ratio in the general, elderly population are unknown. 75-yr old women (n = 849) from the population-based OPRA cohort, followed for 10-years had eGFR calculated with CKD-EPI study equation, and eGFRcysC/eGFRcrea ratio calculated. Mortality risk (HR [95% CI]) was estimated. Women with sarcopenia or on glucocorticoids were excluded. Almost 1 in 10 women (9%) had eGFRcysC/eGFRcrea ratio < 0.6 at age 75 and this did not increase appreciably with age. Women with ratio < 0.6 had higher 10-yr mortality risk compared with ratios > 0.9 (HRadj 1.6 [95% CI 1.1-2.5]). In elderly women eGFRcysC/eGFRcrea ratio < 0.6 is common and associated with increased mortality. Our results confirm patient-based findings, suggesting that identifying individuals with SPS may be clinically relevant to assessing mortality risk in the elderly.

Bone Phenotyping Approaches in Human, Mice and Zebrafish - Expert Overview of the EU Cost Action GEMSTONE ("GEnomics of MusculoSkeletal traits TranslatiOnal NEtwork").

A synoptic overview of scientific methods applied in bone and associated research fields across species has yet to be published. Experts from the EU Cost Action GEMSTONE ("GEnomics of MusculoSkeletal Traits translational Network") Working Group 2 present an overview of the routine techniques as well as clinical and research approaches employed to characterize bone phenotypes in humans and selected animal models (mice and zebrafish) of health and disease. The goal is consolidation of knowledge and a map for future research. This expert paper provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art technologies to investigate bone properties in humans and animals - including their strengths and weaknesses. New research methodologies are outlined and future strategies are discussed to combine phenotypic with rapidly developing -omics data in order to advance musculoskeletal research and move towards "personalised medicine".

Severity of Idiopathic Scoliosis Is Associated with Differential Methylation: An Epigenome-Wide Association Study of Monozygotic Twins with Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Epigenetic mechanisms may contribute to idiopathic scoliosis (IS). We identified 8 monozygotic twin pairs with IS, 6 discordant (Cobb angle difference > 10°) and 2 concordant (Cobb angle difference ≤ 2°). Genome-wide methylation in blood was measured with the Infinium HumanMethylation EPIC Beadchip. We tested for differences in methylation and methylation variability between discordant twins and tested the association between methylation and curve severity in all twins. Differentially methylated region (DMR) analyses identified gene promoter regions. Methylation at cg12959265 (chr. 7 DPY19L1) was less variable in cases (false discovery rate (FDR) = 0.0791). We identified four probes (false discovery rate, FDR < 0.10); cg02477677 (chr. 17, RARA gene), cg12922161 (chr. 2 LOC150622 gene), cg08826461 (chr. 2), and cg16382077 (chr. 7) associated with curve severity. We identified 57 DMRs where hyper- or hypo-methylation was consistent across the region and 28 DMRs with a consistent association with curve severity. Among DMRs, 21 were correlated with bone methylation. Prioritization of regions based on methylation concordance in bone identified promoter regions for WNT10A (WNT signaling), NPY (regulator of bone and energy homeostasis), and others predicted to be relevant for bone formation/remodeling. These regions may aid in understanding the complex interplay between genetics, environment, and IS.

Knee pain in young adult women- associations with muscle strength, body composition and physical activity.

BACKGROUND: Knee pain is studied mostly in older age groups, although in young adults it may be an indicator of future impaired musculoskeletal health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal association between knee pain and thigh muscle strength in young adult women and to explore the associations between muscle strength, body composition, physical activity and knee pain. METHODS: The PEAK-25 cohort consists of women aged 25 at baseline (N=1064). At the 10-year follow-up n=728 attended for DXA-measured body composition and muscle strength assessment and n=797 answered the questionnaire on health and lifestyle. Independent samples t-test was used to compare women with and without knee pain, Spearman correlation was used to test the longitudinal association between strength and knee pain. RESULTS: Knee pain was reported by one third of the women at follow-up (n=260, 33%), although physical activity levels were similar in those with and without pain (high level 50 vs 45 % (p= 0.18). Body composition differed, however. Women with knee pain had higher BMI (25.6 vs 24.1), fat mass index (9.2 vs 8.2) and % total body fat mass (34.7 vs 33.2). Simultaneously, they had lower % lean mass (total body 61.5 vs 62.8; legs 20.6 vs 21.0) and lower thigh muscle strength (extensors 184.9 vs 196.8, flexors 96.6 vs 100.9, p<0.05), but slightly higher hamstrings-to -quadriceps ratio (0.53 vs 0.51, p=0.04). Muscle strength at baseline weakly correlated with knee pain at follow-up (extensor rs= -0.04; flexor -0.02, p>0.2). Overweight women had higher absolute thigh muscle strength, but lower weight-adjusted strength than normal weight women (p<0.001). Leg lean mass explained 26-34% of the variation in muscle strength and adjustment for physical activity level had little effect. CONCLUSION: Knee pain is already common among women in their mid-thirties. Lower thigh muscle strength in the mid-twenties was not associated with future knee pain, however women with knee pain tended to have lower thigh muscle strength and a body composition of higher body fat combined with lower lean mass. Maintaining a healthy body composition and adequate thigh muscle strength may be beneficial for knee joint health.

Closing the Osteoporosis Care Gap.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review outlines the scope of the problem in osteoporosis care and secondary fracture prevention and describes fracture prevention strategies, with a focus on the frail elderly. RECENT FINDINGS: Despite heightened awareness among patients and clinicians alike and the availability of efficacious anti-osteoporosis medications, osteoporosis is still underdiagnosed and undertreated. However, the introduction of systematic risk assessment and secondary fracture prevention programmes has gained momentum, and evidence of success is accumulating. We possess today the knowledge required to close the osteoporosis care gap. The basic components in a secondary prevention model are similar in all health care settings, number one being a dedicated fracture coordinator, with anti-osteoporosis medications and multifaceted falls prevention as cornerstones, particularly in the frailest, both in the near and long-term. Initiation of structured care pathways including the key elements - identification, investigation, intervention and follow-up of adherence - demonstrably reduces re-fracture rates and is cost-effective.

Epigenome-wide cross-tissue correlation of human bone and blood DNA methylation - can blood be used as a surrogate for bone?

Difficulty in obtaining bone tissue is an obstacle to studying epigenetics to understand gene-environment interactions, and their role in disease pathogenesis. Blood is an obvious alternative and in this proof of principle study, our aim was to systematically investigate whether blood is a viable surrogate for bone. We measured epigenome-wide DNA methylation at 850 K CpG sites in matched trabecular bone and peripheral blood collected from the same patients at the same time-point (n = 12 women; 66-85y), to investigate the between-tissue correspondence. What constituted a CpG site with corresponding methylation in both tissues was stringently defined. Only sites highly correlated (r2 > 0.74; FDR q-value <0.05) and at least 80% similarity in methylation level (Δß <0.2) between paired samples were retained. In total, 28,549 CpG sites were similarly methylated in bone and blood. Between 33% and 49% of loci associated with bone phenotypes through GWAS were represented among these sites, and major pathways relevant to bone regulation were enriched. The results from this study indicate that blood can mirror the bone methylome and capture sites related to bone regulation. This study shows that in principal, peripheral blood is a feasible surrogate for bone tissue in DNA methylation investigations. As the first step, this will provide a platform for future studies in bone epigenetics, and possibly for larger-scale epidemiological studies.

Changes in bone mass associated with obesity and weight loss in humans: Applicability of animal models.

The implications of obesity and weight loss for human bone health are not well understood. Although the bone changes associated with weight loss are similar in humans and rodents, that is not the case for obesity. In humans, obesity is generally associated with increased bone mass, an outcome which is exacerbated by advanced age and menopause. In rodents, by contrast, bone mass decreases in proportion to severity and duration of obesity, and is influenced by sex, age and mechanical load. Despite these discrepancies, rodents are frequently used to model the situation in humans. In this review, we summarise the existing knowledge of the effects of obesity and weight loss on bone mass in humans and rodents, focusing on the translatability of findings from animal models. We then describe how animal models should be used to broaden the understanding of the relationship between obesity, weight loss, and skeletal health in humans. Specifically, we highlight the aspects of study design that should be considered to optimise translatability of the rodent models of obesity and weight loss. Notably, the sex, age, and nutritional status of the animals should ideally match those of interest in humans. With these caveats in mind, and depending on the research question asked, our review underscores that animal models can provide valuable information for obesity and weight-management research.

Patient-related outcome, fracture displacement and bone mineral density following distal radius fracture in young and older men.

BACKGROUND: Distal radius fractures can adversely affect wrist function; for men with this fracture, the role played by fracture severity, age and osteoporosis on fracture outcome has not been sufficiently studied. OBJECTIVE: To describe patient-reported outcome and the association with bone integrity, fracture severity and future fracture risk among young and older men with distal radius fracture. METHODS: This prospective study includes 133 men with acute distal radius fracture, mean age 54 (range 21-88), who were followed for 12 months. They were categorized as younger (< 65) and older (65+). Main outcome was DASH (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) at 12 months; DASH > 15 was defined as poor outcome. Fractures were classified and radiographic displacement identified at initial presentation and follow-up. BMD was measured and FRAX 10-year probability of fracture calculated. RESULTS: Disability was higher in older men (DASHmedian 10 vs 2; p = 0.002); a clinically meaningful difference (ΔDASH = 10, p = 0.017) remained after adjustment for displacement, fracture classification and treatment method. Almost 50% of older men vs 14% in younger had poor outcome, p < 0.001. Bone mineral density did not independently predict outcome. Older men with a displaced fracture at initial presentation had greater disability (DASHmedian, IQR 45, 14;73) and risk of fracture (FRAXmajor osteoporotic 14, 8;21). CONCLUSION: Men over the age of 65 with a distal radius fracture are more likely to have post-fracture disability regardless of radiographic appearance. Fracture displacement, indicating impaired bone strength, is also more common and associated with an increased risk of fracture within 10-years. Secondary fracture prevention should therefore be considered in men presenting with distal radius fracture.

High Luteinizing Hormone and Lower Levels of Sex Hormones in Younger Men With Distal Radius Fracture.

This study investigates the sex steroid hormone profile in younger men with distal radius fracture (DRF) to elucidate if this could explain the low bone density and osteoporosis previously observed. In a case-control study, 73 men with DRF (mean age 38 ± 9 years; range, 20-51) was compared with 194 age-matched, population controls. Performed assays: total testosterone (TT), calculated free testosterone (cFT), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and total estradiol (E2). BMD hip and spine were measured. Fracture cases had lower cFT (298 versus 329 pmol/L; p = 0.008), but not TT, compared with controls. FSH and SHBG were not statistically different. LH was almost 30% higher (5.7 versus 4.5 IU/L; p < 0.001) and a lower E2 was observed (80.0 versus 87.1; p = 0.098). Men with DRF had a lower E2/SHBG ratio compared with controls (2.3 versus 2.9; p = 0.013). A higher proportion of the fracture group had low TT (<10.5 nmol/L; 21% versus 11%; p = 0.052), low cFT (<220 pmol/L; 18% versus 8%; p = 0.017), and low E2 (<73 pmol/L; 48% versus 35%; p = 0.044). Odds ratio (OR) for fracture when having low cFT was 2.3 (95% CI, 1.02-5.49; p = 0.044); with low E2, the OR was 1.7 (95% CI, 0.96-2.96). In this study in young men with DRF exploring sex hormone levels, we find that sex hormone profiles may be disturbed with a lower E2/SHBG ratio, lower cFT, and higher LH. Estrogen is also a strong determinant of bone mass in men; hence, low levels of E2 may be contributing to the observed lower BMD and these differences may be relevant to fracture risk. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.