Metabolic Bone Diseases-A Topic of Great Diversity.

The progress in research has improved the understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of osteoporosis and bone disorders in general [...].

High Cortico-Trabecular Transitional Zone Porosity and Reduced Trabecular Density in Men and Women with Stress Fractures.

To determine whether stress fractures are associated with bone microstructural deterioration we quantified distal radial and the unfractured distal tibia using high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography in 26 cases with lower limb stress fractures (15 males, 11 females; mean age 37.1 ± 3.1 years) and 62 age-matched healthy controls (24 males, 38 females; mean age 35.0 ± 1.6 years). Relative to controls, in men, at the distal radius, cases had smaller cortical cross sectional area (CSA) (p = 0.012), higher porosity of the outer transitional zone (OTZ) (p = 0.006), inner transitional zone (ITZ) (p = 0.043) and the compact-appearing cortex (CC) (p = 0.023) while trabecular vBMD was lower (p = 0.002). At the distal tibia, cases also had a smaller cortical CSA (p = 0.008). Cortical porosity was not higher, but trabecular vBMD was lower (p = 0.001). Relative to controls, in women, cases had higher distal radial porosity of the OTZ (p = 0.028), ITZ (p = 0.030) not CC (p = 0.054). Trabecular vBMD was lower (p = 0.041). Distal tibial porosity was higher in the OTZ (p = 0.035), ITZ (p = 0.009), not CC. Stress fractures are associated with compromised cortical and trabecular microstructure.

The Impact of Vitamin D, Calcium, Protein Supplementation, and Physical Exercise on Bone Metabolism After Bariatric Surgery: The BABS Study.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are common and effective methods to treat severe obesity, but these procedures can adversely influence bone metabolism and areal bone mineral density (aBMD). This was a prospective 24-month single-center interventional two-arm study in 220 women and similarly aged men (median age 40.7 years) with a body mass index (BMI) >38 kg/m(2) after RYGB and SG procedures. Patients were randomized into: 1) an intervention group receiving: 28,000 IU cholecalciferol/wk for 8 weeks before bariatric surgery, 16,000 IU/wk and 1000 mg calciummonocitrate/d after surgery, daily BMI-adjusted protein supplementation and physical exercise (Nordic walking, strength perseverance, and equipment training); 2) a non-intervention group: no preoperative loading, nutritional supplementation, or obligatory physical exercise. At study endpoint, when comparing the intervention group to the non-intervention group, the relative percentage changes of serum levels of sclerostin (12.1% versus 63.8%), cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX, 82.6% versus 158.3%), 25-OH vitamin D (13.4% versus 18.2%), phosphate (23.7% versus 32%, p < 0.001 for all), procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP, 12% versus 41.2%), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH, -17.3% versus -7.6%), and Dickkopf-1 (-3.9% versus -8.9%, p < 0.05 for all) differed. The decline in lumbar spine, total hip and total body aBMD, changes in BMI, lean body mass (LBM), as well as changes in trabecular bone score (TBS) values (p < 0.005 for all) were less, but significantly, pronounced in the intervention group. We conclude that vitamin D loading and ongoing vitamin D, calcium, and BMI-adjusted protein supplementation in combination with physical exercise decelerates the loss of aBMD and LBM after bariatric surgery. Moreover, the well-known increases of bone turnover markers are less pronounced.

Congress Report: 5th Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Summit on Osteoporosis in Bratislava, 2-3 December 2011.

Major aims of the 5th Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Summit on Osteoporosis held in Bratislava, Slovakia, on 2 and 3 December 2011, were to provide participants with state-of-the-art knowledge in the fields of osteoporosis research, diagnosis, and therapy and to evaluate, compare, and discuss the very heterogeneous health care situations and related challenges in the different countries in CEE and elsewhere. The summit was attended by 70 delegates from 15 countries. State-of-the-art lectures given by international authorities on osteoporosis covered a broad spectrum of topics ranging from osteoporosis in the male population, novel therapies in osteoporosis such as cathepsin K and sclerostin inhibitors, and the implementation and use of FRAX® in CEE, to an update on denosumab for the management of osteoporosis. Workshops organized to enable the exchange of individual experiences addressed the importance and current availability of osteology training for physicians and the impact of patient training programs on therapy compliance. Furthermore, the availability of and need for standardized quality controls and therapy guidelines in different CEE countries were discussed. Finally, based on a questionnaire, a very up-to-date analysis of all participating countries regarding incidences of osteoporosis, commonly used diagnostic and therapeutic measures, the number of specialists and specialized hospitals, and differences in the reimbursement situation in the different countries was generated and presented. On the whole, the very authentic contributions and the synergistic exchange of ideas allowed the identification of both positive developments as well as still existing issues and needs in diagnosis and therapy of osteoporosis.