Sarcopenia definitions and their association with injurious falls in older Swedish women from the Sahlgrenska University Hospital Prospective Evaluation of Risk of Bone fractures (SUPERB) study.

Associations between different sarcopenia definitions and the risk of injurious falls were investigated in 75-80-year-old women in the Swedish SUPERB cohort. Only sarcopenia according to the Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC) definition was associated with incident injurious falls with and without fractures in older women. PURPOSE: To investigate the association between three commonly used sarcopenia definitions and the risk of injurious falls in a population of older Swedish women. METHODS: A total of 2,883 75-80-year-old women with complete data on relevant sarcopenia definitions from the Swedish SUPERB cohort were studied. Sarcopenia was defined based on the Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC: low handgrip strength and gait speed), revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2: low appendicular lean mass index (ALMI, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived), appendicular lean mass (kg)/height (m2), hand grip strength (kg), or low chair stand time (s)), and Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS: low ALMI and hand grip strength (kg) or low gait speed (m/s)). Questionnaires captured the occurrence of falls in the past 12 months. Incident injurious falls were identified using national registers. Cox regression (hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI)) analyses were performed without adjustment and after adjustment for age, body mass index, previous falls, and the Charlson comorbidity index. RESULTS: During a median (IQR) follow-up time of 7.06 (6.2-7.9) years, there were 491 injurious falls without fracture and 962 injurious falls when also including falls resulting in a fracture. Sarcopenia according to EWGSOP2 and AWGS was not associated with an increased risk of injurious falls. Individuals with sarcopenia defined by SDOC had a higher risk of injurious falls with and without fracture (HR 2.11; 95% CI, 1.63-2.73 and HR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.55-3.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia definitions confined to muscle function and strength such as SDOC, rather than including DXA-determined ALMI (EWGSOP2 and AWGS), are associated with incident injurious falls with and without fractures in older women.

Vertebral fractures and their association with health-related quality of life, back pain and physical function in older women.

Studies investigating prevalent vertebral fracture (VF) diagnosed using densitometry-based VF assessment (VFA) and associations with physical function, assessed by performance-based measures, are lacking. In this population-based study of 1027 older women, we found that prevalent VF, identified by VFA, was associated with inferior physical health, back pain and inferior physical function. PURPOSE: Several studies have investigated the associations between health-related quality of life (HRQL) and back pain with prevalent VF, detected by spine radiographs, but just a few have been population-based and have used vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) for diagnosing VF. The aims of this study were to investigate associations between prevalent VF, detected by VFA, with HRQL, back pain and physical function, and investigate if also mild VFs were associated with these clinical parameters. METHODS: One thousand twenty-seven women aged 75-80 years participated in this population-based cross-sectional study. VF was identified by VFA using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. HRQL was assessed by SF-12, back pain during the past 12 months using a questionnaire, and physical function was tested with one leg standing (OLS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), walking speed, 30-s chair stand test and maximum grip strength. RESULTS: Physical health (Physical Component Summary, PCS), derived from SF-12, was worse (43.5 ± 11.3 vs. 46.2 ± 10.5, p < 0.001) and back pain more frequent in women with any VF than in women without (69.0 vs. 59.9%, p = 0.008). PCS and physical function (OLS, 30-s chair stand test), were significantly worse for mild VF compared to no VF (43.8 ± 10.9 vs. 46.2 ± 10.5, p < 0.001, 12.7 ± 9.9 vs. 15.3 ± 10.4 s, p = 0.038, 10.7 ± 3.2 vs. 11.4 ± 3.4 times, p = 0.021, respectively). In multivariable adjusted linear regression models, VF prevalence was associated with PCS (ß = - 0.079, p = 0.007), TUG (ß = 0.067, p = 0.021), walking speed (ß = - 0.071, p = 0.009) and 30-s chair stand test (ß = - 0.075, p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, prevalent VF, diagnosed by VFA, was associated with inferior physical health, back pain and inferior physical function, indicating VFA is useful for diagnosing clinically relevant vertebral fractures. Also, mild VF was associated with inferior physical health and inferior physical function.

Normal Bone Microstructure and Density But Worse Physical Function in Older Women Treated with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, a Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study.

Depression in the elderly is today often treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) because of their favorable adverse effect profile. However, treatment with SSRIs is associated with increased risk of fractures. Whether this increased risk depends on reduced bone strength or increased fall risk due to reduced physical function is not certain. The aim was therefore to investigate if treatment with SSRIs is associated with impaired bone microstructure, bone density, or physical function in older women. From an ongoing population-based study, 1057 women (77.7 ± 1.5 years) were included. Validated questionnaires were used to assess information regarding medical history, medications, smoking, mental and physical health, and physical activity. Physical function was measured using clinically used tests: timed up and go, walking speed, grip strength, chair stand test, and one leg standing. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the hip and spine with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic Discovery A). Bone geometry and microstructure were measured at the ultradistal and distal (14%) site of radius and tibia using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT; XtremeCT). Treatment with SSRIs was associated with higher BMD at the femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine, whereas no associations were found for any HR-pQCT-derived measurements. The use of SSRIs was associated with lower grip strength, walking speed, and fewer chair stand rises. These associations were valid also after adjustments for known risk factors for falls. Treatment with SSRIs was, independently of covariates, associated with worse physical function without any signs of inferior bone geometry and microstructure.

High incidence of periprosthetic joint infection with propionibacterium acnes after the use of a stemless shoulder prosthesis with metaphyseal screw fixation - a retrospective cohort study of 241 patients.

BACKGROUND: A stemless shoulder prosthesis with humeral metaphyseal screw fixation was introduced in order to save bone-stock and to facilitate reconstruction of biomechanics (Eclipse®). The aim of this study was to analyze whether the risk of infection is different with this implant compared to conventional shoulder prosthesis. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-one patients (54.8% females) were operated with a shoulder arthroplasty and followed for median 2.0 (0.1-5.7) years. One hundred and two (42.3%) had received an Eclipse® prosthesis, the remaining patients were operated with other implants. There was an overrepresentation of males in the Eclipse® group (63.7% males) when compared with the control group (31.7% males). RESULTS: In the Eclipse® group 10 (9.8%) patients developed a periprosthetic joint infection, as opposed to 1 (0.7%) in the control group. The most common bacteria was Propionibacterium acnes. Unadjusted infection-free survival after 4 years was 88.8% (CI 82.5-95.7) for Eclipse® patients and 95.7% (CI 87.7-100.0) for controls (p = 0.002). After adjustment for age, gender, diagnosis, and type of shoulder prosthesis (total or hemi), the risk ratio for revision due to infection was 4.3 (CI 0.5-39.1) for patients with the Eclipse® prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Deep infections seem to be more common after the use of the metaphyseally fixed Eclipse® prosthesis than after conventional shoulder implants, but a predominance of male gender and younger age in the Eclipse group may have biased our findings. Future studies on larger cohorts and in vitro investigations on bacterial adherence and biofilm formation are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. The local ethics board (Regionala Etikprövningsnämnden Stockholm) approved the study (Approval number 2015/1590-31, date of issue 2015-10-14). Retrospectively registered.

Different DMRT3 Genotypes Are Best Adapted for Harness Racing and Riding in Finnhorses.

Previous studies showed a positive effect of the DMRT3 "gait keeper" mutation on harness racing performance in Standardbreds, French-, and Nordic trotters. The mutation has also been shown to influence riding traits in multiple breeds. This study investigated the effect of the DMRT3 mutation on harness racing performance and riding traits in Finnhorses. Finnhorses used for harness racing (n = 180) and for riding (n = 59) were genotyped for the DMRT3 mutation. For the trotters the genotypes were evaluated for association with racing performance (number of starts, victories, placings, earnings, and race times). At 3-6 years of age the AA genotype was superior compared with the CA and CC genotypes. The AA horses had a significantly higher proportion of victories (P = 1.4×10(-6)) and placings (P = 4.1×10(-7)), better race times (P = 0.01), and earned more money (P = 0.009) compared with C-horses. For the Finnhorses used for riding the owners answered a questionnaire to score how well the horse performed the gaits walk, trot, and canter on a scale from 1 to 6. These scores were tested for association with the DMRT3 genotypes. Although AA horses were more successful as racehorses, the CC and CA horses appear more adapted for classical riding disciplines. The AA horses received significantly lower gait scores compared with C-horses for the majority of gaits. Except for rhythm in extended canter (P = 0.05), there were no significant differences between CA and CC horses. This study shows that there are different optimal genotypes for different disciplines and the DMRT3 mutation clearly influences gaits and performance in Finnhorses.

High physical activity is associated with greater cortical bone size, better physical function, and with lower risk of incident fractures independently of clinical risk factors in older women from the SUPERB study.

The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) is a validated test to assess physical activity in older people. It has not been investigated if physical activity, according to PASE, is associated with fracture risk independently from the clinical risk factors (CRFs) in FRAX, bone mineral density (BMD), comorbidity, and if such an association is due to differences in physical performance or bone parameters. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if PASE score is associated with bone characteristics, physical function, and independently predicts incident fracture in 3014 75-80-yr-old women from the population-based cross-sectional SUPERB study. At baseline, participants answered questionnaires and underwent physical function tests, detailed bone phenotyping with DXA, and high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT. Incident fractures were X-ray verified. Cox regression models were used to assess the association between PASE score and incident fractures, with adjustments for CRFs, femoral neck (FN) BMD, and Charlson comorbidity index. Women were divided into quartiles according to PASE score. Quartile differences in bone parameters (1.56% for cortical volumetric BMD and 4.08% for cortical area, Q4 vs Q1, p = .007 and p = .022, respectively) were smaller than quartile differences in physical performance (27% shorter timed up and go test, 52% longer one leg standing time, Q4 vs Q1). During 8 yr (median, range 0.20-9.9) of follow-up, 1077 women had any fracture, 806 a major osteoporotic fracture (MOF; spine, hip, forearm, humerus), and 236 a hip fracture. Women in Q4 vs. Q1 had 30% lower risk of any fracture, 32% lower risk of MOF, and 54% lower risk of hip fracture. These associations remained in fully adjusted models. In conclusion, high physical activity was associated with substantially better physical function and a lower risk of any fracture, MOF and hip fracture, independently of risk factors used in FRAX, FN BMD, and comorbidity.

The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) is a test to assess physical activity in older people. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if physical activity, according to PASE, is associated with bone parameters, physical function, and independently predicts future fracture in 3014 75­80-yr-old women from the population-based SUPERB study. At baseline, participants answered questionnaires, underwent physical function tests, and DXA. Subsequent fractures were X-ray verified. Women were divided into quartiles according to PASE score (Q1 least and Q4 most physically active). Women in Q4 had 27% shorter timed up and go test and 52% longer one leg standing time compared with Q1. During 8 yr of follow-up, 1077 women had any fracture, 806 a major osteoporotic fracture (MOF; spine, hip, forearm, humerus), and 236 a hip fracture. Women in Q4 vs. Q1 had 30% lower risk of any fracture, 32% lower risk of MOF, and 54% lower risk of hip fracture. These associations remained in models considering comorbidity, BMD, and clinical risk factors. In conclusion, high physical activity was independently associated with better physical function and a lower risk of any fracture.

Type 2 Diabetes and Fracture Risk in Older Women.

Importance: The reasons for the increased fracture risk in type 2 diabetes (T2D) are not fully understood. Objective: To determine if poorer skeletal characteristics or worse physical function explain the increased fracture risk in T2D. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective observational study is based on the population-based Sahlgrenska University Hospital Prospective Evaluation of Risk of Bone Fractures study cohort of older women, performed in the Gothenburg area between March 2013 and May 2016. Follow-up of incident fracture data was completed in March 2023. Data analysis was performed between June and December 2023. Exposures: Data were collected from questionnaires and through examination of anthropometrics, physical function, and bone measurements using bone densitometry (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), and high-resolution peripheral computed tomography. A subsample underwent bone microindentation to assess bone material strength index (BMSi). Main Outcomes and Measures: Baseline assessment of bone characteristics and physical function and radiograph verified incident fractures. Results: Of 3008 women aged 75 to 80 years, 294 women with T2D (mean [SD] age, 77.8 [1.7] years) were compared with 2714 women without diabetes (mean [SD] age, 77.8 [1.6] years). Women with T2D had higher bone mineral density (BMD) at all sites (total hip, 4.4% higher; femoral neck (FN), 4.9% higher; and lumbar spine, 5.2% higher) than women without. At the tibia, women with T2D had 7.4% greater cortical area and 1.3% greater density, as well as 8.7% higher trabecular bone volume fraction. There was no difference in BMSi (T2D mean [SD], 78.0 [8.3] vs controls, 78.1 [7.3]). Women with T2D had lower performance on all physical function tests. The study found 9.7% lower grip strength, 9.9% slower gait speed, and 13.9% slower timed up-and-go time than women without diabetes. During a median (IQR) follow-up of 7.3 (4.4-8.4) years, 1071 incident fractures, 853 major osteoporotic fractures (MOF), and 232 hip fractures occurred. In adjusted (for age, body mass index, clinical risk factors, and FN BMD) Cox regression models, T2D was associated with an increased risk of any fracture (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.04-1.54) and MOF (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.00-1.56). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of older women, T2D was associated with higher BMD, better bone microarchitecture, and no different BMSi but poorer physical function, suggesting that poor physical function is the main reason for the increased fracture risk in T2D women.

Real-world effectiveness of osteoporosis screening in older Swedish women (SUPERB).

Older women diagnosed with osteoporosis and referred to their general practitioners (GPs) exhibited significantly higher osteoporosis treatment rates and a reduced fracture risk compared to non-osteoporotic women who were not referred to their GPs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate treatment rates and fracture outcomes in older women, from a population-based study, 1) diagnosed with osteoporosis, with subsequent referral to their general practitioner (GP), 2) women without osteoporosis, without referral to their GP. METHODS: In total, 3028 women, 75-80 years old were included in the SUPERB cohort. At inclusion, 443 women were diagnosed with osteoporosis (bone mineral density (BMD) T-score ≤ -2.5) at the lumbar spine or hip, did not have current or recent osteoporosis treatment, and were referred to their GP for evaluation (referral group). The remaining 2585 women without osteoporosis composed the control group. Sensitivity analysis was performed on subsets of the original groups. Adjusted Cox regression (hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI)) analyses were performed to investigate the risk of incident fractures and the incidence of osteoporosis treatment. RESULTS: Cox regression models, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol, glucocorticoid use, previous fracture, parent hip fracture, secondary osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and BMD at the femoral neck, revealed that the risk of major osteoporotic fracture was significantly lower (HR = 0.81, 95 % CI [0.67-0.99]) in the referral group than in the controls. Similarly, the risk of hip fracture (HR = 0.69, [0.48-0.98]) and any fracture (HR = 0.84, [0.70-1.00]) were lower in the referral group. During follow-up, there was a 5-fold increase (HR = 5.00, [4.39-5.74]) in the prescription of osteoporosis medication in the referral group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Screening older women for osteoporosis and referring those with osteoporosis diagnosis was associated with substantially increased treatment rates and reduced risk of any fracture, MOF, and hip fracture, compared to non-osteoporotic women.

The role of different physical function tests for the prediction of fracture risk in older women.

BACKGROUND: Physical function is an important risk factor for fracture. Previous studies found that different physical tests (e.g., one-leg standing [OLS] and timed up and go [TUG]) predict fracture risk. This study aimed to determine which physical function test is the most optimal independent predictor of fracture risk, together with clinical risk factors (CRFs) used in fracture risk assessment (FRAX) and bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: In total, 2321 women out of the included 3028 older women, aged 77.7 ± 1.6 (mean ± SD), in the Sahlgrenska University Hospital Prospective Evaluation of Risk of Bone Fractures study had complete data on all physical function tests and were included in the analysis. At baseline, hand grip strength, OLS, TUG, walking speed and chair stand tests were performed. All incident fractures were confirmed by X-ray or review of medical records and subsequently categorized as major osteoporotic fractures (MOFs), hip fractures and any fracture. Multivariate Cox regression (hazard ratios [HRs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) analyses were performed with adjustments for age, body mass index (BMI), FRAX CRFs, femoral neck BMD and all physical function tests as predictors both individually and simultaneously. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses and Fine and Gray analyses were also performed to investigate associations between physical function and incident fractures. RESULTS: OLS was the only physical function test to be significantly and independently associated with increased risk of any fracture (HR 1.13 [1.04-1.23]), MOF (HR 1.15 [1.04-1.26]) and hip fracture (HR 1.34 [1.11-1.62]). Adjusting for age, BMI, CRFs and femoral neck BMD did not materially alter these associations. ROC analysis for OLS, together with age, BMI, femoral neck BMD and CRFs, yielded area under the curve values of 0.642, 0.647 and 0.732 for any fracture, MOF and hip fracture, respectively. In analyses considering the competing risk of death, OLS was the only physical function test consistently associated with fracture outcomes (subhazard ratio [SHR] 1.10 [1.01-1.19] for any fracture, SHR 1.11 [1.00-1.22] for MOF and SHR 1.25 [1.03-1.50] for hip fracture). Walking speed was only independently associated with the risk of hip fracture in all Cox regression models and in the Fine and Gray analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Among the five physical function tests, OLS was independently associated with all fracture outcomes, even after considering the competing risk of death, indicating that OLS is the most reliable physical function test for predicting fracture risk in older women.

Limosilactobacillus reuteri 6475 and Prevention of Early Postmenopausal Bone Loss: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Daily supplementation with the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 (L reuteri) vs placebo has previously been demonstrated to reduce bone loss in an estrogen deficiency mice model and older women, although the magnitude of the effect was small. We hypothesized that long-term treatment with L reuteri could result in clinically relevant skeletal benefits in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Objective: To evaluate whether daily supplementation with L reuteri vs placebo could reduce early postmenopausal bone loss and whether the effects remained or increased over time during 2 years of treatment. Design, Setting, and Participants: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted between December 4, 2019, and October 6, 2022, at a single center in Gothenburg, southwestern Sweden. Participants were recruited by online advertisements, and letters were sent to 10 062 women aged 50 to 60 years. Responding women (n = 752) underwent telephone screening, resulting in 292 women being invited to a screening visit. Of those who were screened, 239 women met all inclusion criteria and had no exclusion criteria. Interventions: Capsules with L reuteri in 2 doses, 5 × 108 (low dose) or 5 × 109 (high dose) colony-forming units, taken twice daily or placebo were administered. All capsules also included cholecalciferol, 200 IU. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the relative change in tibia total volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) over 2 years. Secondary outcomes included relative change in areal BMD of the lumbar spine and total hip, bone turnover markers C-terminal telopeptide cross-links of collagen type I and type I procollagen intact N-terminal propeptide, as well as tibia trabecular bone volume fraction and cortical vBMD. Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were conducted. Results: A total of 239 postmenopausal women (median age, 55 [IQR, 53-56] years) were included. Tibia vBMD (primary outcome), hip and spine vBMD, and tibia cortical area and BMD decreased significantly in all groups, with no group-to-group differences (percent change tibia vBMD high dose vs placebo least-squares means, -0.08 [95 CI, -0.85 to 0.69] and low dose vs placebo least-squares means, -0.22 [95% CI, -0.99 to 0.55]). There were no significant treatment effects on any other predefined outcomes. A prespecified sensitivity analysis found a significant interaction between body mass index (BMI) and treatment effect at 2 years. No significant adverse effects were observed. Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial of 239 early postmenopausal women, supplementation with L reuteri had no effect on bone loss or bone turnover over 2 years. The observed interaction between BMI and treatment effect warrants further investigation. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04169789.

Sarcopenia definitions and their association with fracture risk in older Swedish women.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of three sarcopenia definitions and their associations with fracture risk in older Swedish women when adjusted for fracture risk assessment (FRAX)-based risk factors; 2,883 women with a mean age of 77.8 years were included. Sarcopenia was defined based on the Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC; low handgrip strength [kg] and gait speed (m/s)), revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2; low appendicular lean mass index, appendicular lean mass [ALM]/height; kg/m2], and hand grip strength [kg]), and Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS; low ALM (kg), and hand grip strength [kg]) definitions. Femoral neck T-score was obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. All fractures, confirmed by X-ray or medical record review, were subsequently categorized as major osteoporotic fractures (MOFs) and hip fractures. Deaths were verified through regional registers. The total follow-up time was 6.4 ± 1.3 (mean ± SD) yr. Cox regression (hazard ratios [HR] and 95% CIs) analyses were performed with adjustment for age, FRAX variables, and femoral neck T-score. Sarcopenia prevalence was 4.5% (n = 129) according to SDOC, 12.5% (n = 360) for EWGSOP2, and 10.3% (n = 296) defined by AWGS. Individuals with sarcopenia defined by SDOC had a higher mortality risk than individuals without sarcopenia (HR: 3.41; 95% CI: 2.51, 4.62) after adjusting for age and FRAX variables. Sarcopenia according to EWGSOP2 and AWGS was not associated with an increased fracture risk after adjusting for age and FRAX variables. Individuals with sarcopenia defined by SDOC had a higher risk for any fractures (HR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.99) and MOF (HR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.98) compared with individuals without sarcopenia after adjusting for clinical risk factors used in FRAX. In conclusion, sarcopenia defined by SDOC, incorporating muscle function/strength, was the only sarcopenia definition associated with fracture risk in older women.

This study aimed to investigate the risk of sarcopenia on fracture risk in older Swedish women. Data were utilized from 2,883 women aged 75­80 yr in the Swedish Sahlgrenska University Hospital Prospective Evaluation of Risk of Bone Fractures cohort. Sarcopenia was defined using three different definitions, including the Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC), which includes grip strength and gait speed, while the revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) and the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) definitions include appendicular lean mass measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and grip strength. The results demonstrated that SDOC-defined sarcopenia was associated with a higher mortality risk, with increased risk of any fractures, and major osteoporotic fractures, whereas the EWGSOP2 and AWGS definitions were not associated with fracture risk. In summary, the study demonstrates that sarcopenia defined by SDOC, considering muscle function and strength, rather than lean mass, was the only investigated sarcopenia definition associated with fracture risk.

Therapists acting as data collectors in a post stroke research project - a door to development.

METHODS: Participants in the present study were eight clinically experienced occupational therapists and physiotherapists who collected data in an observational longitudinal study of the rehabilitation process after stroke. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using content analysis. The transcripts revealed the informants' perspectives and their experiences of follow-ups in the patient's home. RESULTS: There was one main category, a door to development, and three subcategories: the entrance, discovery in place, and the exit. All informants expressed that they had gained new knowledge of the situation of people who have had a stroke and that taking part in research uncovered a wider perspective of the patients' situations and the importance of follow-ups in general. CONCLUSION: New insights into the patients' situation with clinical implications for interprofessional care can be gained by collecting data in a research project that is related to, but different from, everyday clinical practice. Such an assignment can be experienced as professionally rewarding, and we propose that offering such a role change/transition may open the door to development for rehabilitation team members.

Increased Bone Material Strength Index Is Positively Associated With the Risk of Incident Osteoporotic Fractures in Older Swedish Women.

No previous studies have investigated the association between the bone material strength index (BMSi; an indicator of bone material properties obtained by microindentation) and the risk of incident fracture. The primary purpose of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate if BMSi is associated with incident osteoporotic fracture in older women and, secondarily, with prevalent fractures, anthropometric traits, or measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In a population-based cohort, 647 women aged 75 to 80 years underwent bone microindentation using the OsteoProbe device. Data on clinical risk factors (CRFs), prevalent fractures, and incident fractures were collected using questionnaires, medical records, and a regional X-ray archive. BMD and vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) were assessed by DXA (Hologic, Discovery A). Associations between BMSi, anthropometrics, BMD, and prevalent fractures were investigated using correlation and linear and logistic regression. Cox proportional hazards and competing risks analysis by Fine and Gray were used to study the association between BMSi and the risk of fracture and mortality. BMSi was weakly associated with age (r = -0.13, p < 0.001) and BMI (r = -0.21, p < 0.001) and with BMD of lumbar spine (ß = 0.09, p = 0.02) and total hip (ß = 0.08, p = 0.05), but only after adjustments. No significant associations were found between BMSi and prevalent fractures (self-reported and/or VFA identified, n = 332). During a median follow-up time of 6.0 years, 121 major osteoporotic fractures (MOF), 151 any fractures, and 50 deaths occurred. Increasing BMSi (per SD) was associated with increased risk of MOF (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.56), any fracture (HR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.09-1.53), and mortality (HR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.07-1.93). The risk of fracture did not materially change with adjustment for confounders, CRFs, femoral neck BMD, or when considering the competing risk of death. In conclusion, unexpectedly increasing BMSi was associated with greater fracture risk. The clinical relevance and potential mechanisms of this finding require further study. © 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).

Hemoglobin Levels Improve Fracture Risk Prediction in Addition to FRAX Clinical Risk Factors and Bone Mineral Density.

CONTEXT: Anemia and decreasing levels of hemoglobin (Hb) have previously been linked to increased fracture risk, but the added value to FRAX, the most utilized fracture prediction tool worldwide, is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between anemia, Hb levels, bone microstructure, and risk of incident fracture and to evaluate whether Hb levels improve fracture risk prediction in addition to FRAX clinical risk factors (CRFs). METHODS: A total of 2778 community-dwelling women, aged 75-80 years, and part of a prospective population-based cohort study in Sweden were included. At baseline, information on anthropometrics, CRFs, and falls was gathered, blood samples were collected, and skeletal characteristics were investigated using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. At the end of follow-up, incident fractures were retrieved from a regional x-ray archive. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 6.4 years. Low Hb was associated with worse total hip and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD), and lower tibia cortical and total volumetric BMD, and anemia was associated with increased risk of major osteoporotic fracture (MOF; hazard ratio 2.04; 95% CI 1.58-2.64). Similar results were obtained for hip fracture and any fracture, also when adjusting for CRFs. The ratio between 10-year fracture probabilities of MOF assessed in models with Hb levels included and not included ranged from 1.2 to 0.7 at the 10th and 90th percentile of Hb, respectively. CONCLUSION: Anemia and decreasing levels of Hb are associated with lower cortical BMD and incident fracture in older women. Considering Hb levels may improve the clinical evaluation of patients with osteoporosis and the assessment of fracture risk.

The outcome of an automated assessment of trabecular pattern in intraoral radiographs as a fracture risk predictor.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate if automated analyses of the trabecular pattern in intraoral radiographs independently contribute to fracture risk assessment when other risk factors incorporated in the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) are taken into account. A secondary aim is to explore the correlation between the automated trabecular pattern assessment in intraoral radiographs and Trabecular Bone Score (TBS). METHODS: A total of 567 intraoral radiographs from older females participating in a large population-based study (SUPERB) based in Gothenburg, Sweden, were selected to analyse trabecular pattern using semi-automated and fully automated software. Associations between trabecular pattern analysis and incident fractures were studied using Cox proportional hazard model, unadjusted and adjusted for FRAX risk factors (previous fracture, family history of hip fracture, smoking, corticosteroids, rheumatoid arthritis, without and with bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck). In addition, the correlation between trabecular pattern analysis and TBS of the lumbar spine was investigated using Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: Neither the unadjusted nor the adjusted trabecular pattern analysis in intraoral radiographs was significantly associated with any fracture or major osteoporotic fracture (MOF). A weak correlation was found between semi-automated trabecular pattern analysis and TBS. No correlation was found between the fully automated trabecular pattern analysis and TBS. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that semi-automated and fully automated digital analyses of the trabecular pattern in intraoral radiographs do not contribute to fracture risk prediction. Furthermore, the study shows a weak correlation between semi-automated trabecular pattern analysis and TBS.

Grade 1 Vertebral Fractures Identified by Densitometric Lateral Spine Imaging Predict Incident Major Osteoporotic Fracture Independently of Clinical Risk Factors and Bone Mineral Density in Older Women.

Because prevalent vertebral fracture (VF) is a strong predictor of future fractures, they are important to identify in clinical practice as osteoporosis medications are effective and can be used to reduce fracture risk in postmenopausal women with VF. Lateral spine imaging (LSI) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) can be used to diagnose VFs accurately but is not widespread in clinical practice. The prognostic value of grade 1 (20% to 25% compression) VFs diagnosed by LSI with DXA has been insufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to determine if grade 1 VF is associated with incident fracture in older women. Sahlgrenska University Hospital Prospective Evaluation of Risk of Bone Fractures (SUPERB) is a population-based study of 3028 older women from Gothenburg, Sweden. Included women were 75 to 80 years of age at baseline, answered questionnaires, and were scanned with DXA (Discovery A, Hologic, Waltham, MA, USA). LSI was used to diagnose VFs, which were classified using the Genant semiquantitative method. Cox regression models were used to estimate the association between VFs at baseline and X-ray-verified incident fractures, with adjustment for confounders. Women with a grade 1 VF (n = 264) or a grade 2-3 VF (n = 349) were compared with women without any fracture (n = 1482). During 3.6 years (median, interquartile range [IQR] 1.5 years) of follow-up, 260 women had any incident fracture and 213 a major osteoporotic fracture (MOF). Women with only grade 1 VF had increased risk of any fracture (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-2.36) and MOF (HR = 1.86; 95% CI 1.28-2.72). For MOF, this association remained after adjustment for clinical risk factors and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD). In conclusion, grade 1 VFs were associated with incident MOF, also after adjustment for clinical risk factors and BMD, indicating that all VF identified by DXA should be considered in the evaluation of fracture risk in older women. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research..

Ischaemic heart disease following conventional and hypofractionated radiation treatment in a contemporary breast cancer series.

INTRODUCTION: We report the incidence of ischaemic cardiac toxicity in a contemporary cohort of patients receiving conventional (CFRT) or hypofractionated (HFRT) radiation after surgery for early breast cancer and investigate the interplay of cardiac risk factors and fractionation. METHODS: Included were patients receiving external beam radiation treatment from 2002 to 2006 at the Christchurch public hospital. Hospital coding databases, oncology databases and medical records were reviewed for baseline characteristics, treatment details and outcomes. The primary outcome was cardiac toxicity (including myocardial infarction, admission for cardiac chest pain, coronary angiogram positivity and ischaemic cardiac death). Kaplan-Meier methods were used to derive ischaemic cardiac event free and overall survival. Predefined univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to investigate interaction with radiation fraction size, cardiac risk factors, age and side of cancer. Standardised mortality ratios were constructed. RESULTS: Five hundred and one patients were identified, 220 treated with CFRT and 281 with HFRT. The median age was 56 and median follow-up 10.33 years. The 10-year breast cancer specific survival was 81.8% (95% CI %.78.1-85.0). The 10-year freedom from cardiac death was 98.6% (95% CI 96.9-99.4). There were 27 post radiation cardiac events including 5 cardiac deaths and 19 cases of acute myocardial infarction. 265 (53%) had at least one cardiac risk factor. Twenty five of the 27 patients with a cardiac event had cardiac risk factors. On univariate and multivariate analysis, fractionation schedule was not significantly associated with a post radiation ischaemic event, however, there was a significant relationship with age and the presence of a cardiac risk factor. The standardised mortality ratio was 0.89 (95% CI: 0-3.13). CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown a low rate of ischaemic cardiac disease for both CFRT and HFRT in women treated for breast cancer with no evidence of an effect with fractionation schedule. Coexisting cardiac risk factors are common in the population.

The Prevalence of Vertebral Fractures Is Associated With Reduced Hip Bone Density and Inferior Peripheral Appendicular Volumetric Bone Density and Structure in Older Women.

Vertebral fractures (VFs) are among the most severe and prevalent osteoporotic fractures. Their association with bone microstructure have been investigated in several retrospective case-control studies with spine radiography for diagnosis of VF. The aim of this population-based cross-sectional study of 1027 women aged 75 to 80 years was to investigate if prevalent VF, identified by vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), was associated with appendicular volumetric bone density, structure, and bone material strength index (BMSi), independently of hip areal bone mineral density (aBMD). aBMD was measured using DXA (Discovery; Hologic); BMSi with microindentation (Osteoprobe); and bone geometry, volumetric BMD, and microstructure with high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) (XtremeCT; Scanco Medical AG). aBMD was lower (spine 3.2%, total hip [TH] 3.8%) at all sites in women with VF, but tibia BMSi did not differ significantly compared to women without VF. In multivariable adjusted logistic regression models, radius trabecular bone volume fraction and tibia cortical area (odds ratio [OR] 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], [1.06 to 1.49]; and OR 1.27 [95% CI, 1.08 to 1.49], respectively) were associated with VF prevalence, whereas BMSi and cortical porosity were not. The risk of having one, two, or more than two VFs was increased 1.27 (95% CI, 1.04 to 1.54), 1.83 (95% CI, 1.28 to 2.61), and 1.78 (95% CI, 1.03 to 3.09) times, respectively, for each SD decrease in TH aBMD. When including either cortical area, trabecular bone volume fraction or TBS in the model together with TH aBMD and covariates, only TH aBMD remained independently associated with presence of any VF. In conclusion, TH aBMD was consistently associated with prevalent VFA-verified VF, whereas neither trabecular bone volume fraction, cortical area, cortical porosity, nor BMSi were independently associated with VF in older women. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.