Digital vertebral morphometry performed by DXA: a valuable opportunity for identifying fractures during bone mass assessment.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of vertebral morphometry in identifying unreferred vertebral fractures and correlate potential risk factors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Female patients above 45 years, postmenopausal for at least 2 years, diagnosed with osteoporosis and undergoing treatment for at least three months were considered eligible. All of them underwent bone densitometry and vertebral morphometry performed by concomitant DXA. The presence of fractures was defined between T7 and L4; only moderate and severe fractures were considered for analysis. All volunteers were submitted to laboratory tests, anthropometry and responded a questionnaire on their lifestyle habits and medical history. RESULTS: Thirty two (17%) out of the 188 female patients presented with at least one vertebral fracture, among whom only 4 (12.5%) were previously aware of the fracture. The fractures were mainly located on the thoracic spine. Nine patients had severe fractures (28.1%), whereas 23 had moderate fractures (71.9%). On average, patients with fractures were 5 years older and weighed 5 kilograms less than those without fractures. The creatinine clearance was on average 9 mL/min less in patients with vertebral fracture. The assessment of vertebral fractures by morphometry is a fast, accurate and complementary method associated with low radiation exposure for identifying moderate and severe vertebral fractures. Predisposition to vertebral fractures does not depend solely on BMD.

Digital vertebral morphometry performed by DXA: a valuable opportunity for identifying fractures during bone mass assessment

Objectives To evaluate the usefulness of vertebral morphometry in identifying unreferred vertebral fractures and correlate potential risk factors. Subjects and methods Female patients above 45 years, postmenopausal for at least 2 years, diagnosed with osteoporosis and undergoing treatment for at least three months were considered eligible. All of them underwent bone densitometry and vertebral morphometry performed by concomitant DXA. The presence of fractures was defined between T7 and L4; only moderate and severe fractures were considered for analysis. All volunteers were submitted to laboratory tests, anthropometry and responded a questionnaire on their lifestyle habits and medical history. Results Thirty two (17%) out of the 188 female patients presented with at least one vertebral fracture, among whom only 4 (12.5%) were previously aware of the fracture. The fractures were mainly located on the thoracic spine. Nine patients had severe fractures (28.1%), whereas 23 had moderate fractures (71.9%). On average, patients with fractures were 5 years older and weighed 5 kilograms less than those without fractures. The creatinine clearance was on average 9 mL/min less in patients with vertebral fracture. The assessment of vertebral fractures by morphometry is a fast, accurate and complementary method associated with low radiation exposure for identifying moderate and severe vertebral fractures. Predisposition to vertebral fractures does not depend solely on BMD. .

Modifiable factors of vitamin D status among a Brazilian osteoporotic population attended a public outpatient clinic.

Objectives To evaluate the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration in Brazilian osteoporotic patients and the modifiable factors of vitamin D status in this population. Subjects and methods In a cross-sectional study, 363 community-dwelling patients who sought specialized medical care were evaluated between autumn and spring in São Paulo, Brazil. Serum levels of 25(OH)D and parathormone (PTH), biochemical and anthropometric measurements, and bone density scans were obtained. The group was assessed using two questionnaires: one questionnaire covered lifestyle and dietary habits, skin phototype, sun exposure, medical conditions, and levels of vitamin D supplementation (cholecalciferol); the other questionnaire assessed health-related quality-of-life. Logistic regression and a decision tree were used to assess the association between the variables and the adequacy of vitamin D status. Results The mean age of the overall sample was 67.9 ± 8.6 years, and the mean 25(OH)D concentration was 24.8 ng/mL. The prevalence of inadequate vitamin D status was high (73.3%), although 81.5% of the subjects were receiving cholecalciferol (mean dose of 8,169 IU/week). 25(OH)D was positively correlated with femoral neck bone mineral density and negatively correlated with PTH. In the multivariate analysis, the dose of cholecalciferol, engagement in physical activity and the month of the year (September) were associated with improvement in vitamin D status. Conclusions In this osteoporotic population, vitamin D supplementation of 7,000 IU/week is not enough to reach the desired 25(OH)D concentration (≥ 30 ng/mL). Engagement in physical activity and the month of the year are modifiable factors of the vitamin D status in this population.

Modifiable factors of vitamin D status among a Brazilian osteoporotic population attended a public outpatient clinic / Fatores modificáveis do status de vitamina D em uma população brasileira de osteoporóticos assistidos em um ambulatório público

Objectives To evaluate the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration in Brazilian osteoporotic patients and the modifiable factors of vitamin D status in this population. Subjects and methods In a cross-sectional study, 363 community-dwelling patients who sought specialized medical care were evaluated between autumn and spring in São Paulo, Brazil. Serum levels of 25(OH)D and parathormone (PTH), biochemical and anthropometric measurements, and bone density scans were obtained. The group was assessed using two questionnaires: one questionnaire covered lifestyle and dietary habits, skin phototype, sun exposure, medical conditions, and levels of vitamin D supplementation (cholecalciferol); the other questionnaire assessed health-related quality-of-life. Logistic regression and a decision tree were used to assess the association between the variables and the adequacy of vitamin D status. Results The mean age of the overall sample was 67.9 ± 8.6 years, and the mean 25(OH)D concentration was 24.8 ng/mL. The prevalence of inadequate vitamin D status was high (73.3%), although 81.5% of the subjects were receiving cholecalciferol (mean dose of 8,169 IU/week). 25(OH)D was positively correlated with femoral neck bone mineral density and negatively correlated with PTH. In the multivariate analysis, the dose of cholecalciferol, engagement in physical activity and the month of the year (September) were associated with improvement in vitamin D status. Conclusions In this osteoporotic population, vitamin D supplementation of 7,000 IU/week is not enough to reach the desired 25(OH)D concentration (≥ 30 ng/mL). Engagement in physical activity and the month of the year are modifiable factors of the vitamin D status in this population. .

Objetivos Avaliar a concentração sérica de 25-hidroxivitamina D [25(OH)D] em pacientes osteoporóticos brasileiros e os fatores modificáveis do status de vitamina D nesta população. Sujeitos e métodos Em um estudo transversal, 363 pacientes, residentes na comunidade, que procuravam atendimento médico especializado, foram avaliados entre o outono e a primavera, em São Paulo, Brasil. Níveis séricos de 25(OH)D e paratormônio (PTH), avaliações bioquímicas e antropométricas e exames de densitometria óssea foram obtidos. O grupo foi avaliado por meio de dois questionários: um questionário abordou estilo de vida e hábitos alimentares, fototipo de pele, exposição solar, problemas médicos e os níveis de suplementação de vitamina D (colecalciferol); o outro questionário avaliou a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde. Regressão logística e árvore de decisão foram utilizadas para avaliar a associação entre as variáveis e a adequação do status de vitamina D. Resultados A idade média da amostra foi de 67,9 ± 8,6 anos e a concentração média de 25(OH)D foi de 24,8 ng/mL. A prevalência de um status de vitamina D inadequado foi elevada (73,3%), apesar de 81,5% dos indivíduos receberem colecalciferol (dose média de 8.169 UI/semana). 25(OH)D correlacionou-se positivamente com a densidade mineral óssea do colo de fêmur e negativamente com PTH. Nas análises multivariadas, a dose de colecalciferol, a prática de exercícios físicos e o mês do ano (setembro) foram associados com a melhora do status de vitamina D. Conclusões Nesta população osteoporótica, a suplementação de 7.000 UI/semana não é suficiente para atingir a concentração desejada ...