Effect of Teriparatide on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers in Real-Life: Argentine Experience.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of teriparatide (TPTD) on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone markers under clinical practice conditions. To assess whether the results in real-life match those published in clinical trials. Methods: Cross-sectional study of postmenopausal women treated with TPTD for at least 12 months. Results: 264 patients were included in the study. Main characteristics are as follows: age: 68.7 ± 10.2 years, previous fractures: 57.6%, and previously treated with antiresorptive (AR-prior): 79%. All bone turnover markers studied significantly increased after 6 months. CTX and BGP remained high up to 24 months, but total and bone alkaline phosphatase returned to basal values at month 18. There was a significant increase in lumbar spine (LS) BMD after 6 months (+6.2%), with a maximum peak at 24 months (+13%). Femoral neck (FN) and total hip (TH) BMD showed a significant increase later than LS (just at month 12), reaching a maximum peak at month 24 (FN + 7.9% and TH + 5.5%). A significant increase in LS BMD was found from month 6 to month 24 compared to basal in both AR-naïve, and AR-prior patients (+16.7% and +10.5%, respectively), without significant differences between the two groups. Comparable results were found in FN and TH BMD. Main conclusions. As reported in real-life clinical studies, treatment of osteoporotic postmenopausal women with TPTD induced a significant increase in bone turnover markers from month 6 onward and an increase in BMD from months 6-12 with continuous gain up to month 24. The real-life results of our study matched the results of randomized clinical trials. In addition, TPTD induced an increase in BMD, regardless of the previous use of AR.

Evaluación de score de hueso trabecular (TBS) en pacientes menopáusicas con fracturas y sin ellas / Trabecular bone score evaluation in postmenopausal women with or without fractures

El score de hueso trabecular (TBS, Trabecular Bone Score) es una medición de la textura de los grises derivada de la evaluación del raquis por DXA y proporciona un índice de la microarquitectura ósea. Se ha demostrado que los valores bajos presentan capacidad para predecir fracturas. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar si existían diferencias entre los valores de TBS de pacientes con fracturas frente a no fracturadas. Materiales y métodos: se revisaron 159 historias clínicas de mujeres menopáusicas que consultaron para evaluación de su salud ósea. Se consideraron los antecedentes autorreferidos de fracturas (Fx), la DMO de raquis, cuello femoral y fémur total y TBS. Resultados: treinta pacientes (18,9%) presentaron fracturas y en ellas se observó menor TBS (con Fx: 1,295±83 vs. sin Fx: 1,366±84, p<0,0001), menor índice de masa corporal (IMC) (con Fx: 23,7±1,9 vs. sin Fx: 25,7±4,2, p=0,02), sin diferencias en la edad (p=0,39), ni en valores de DMO (L1-L4 p=0,11, cuello femoral p=0,20 y fémur total p= 0,12). Muchas de las fracturas ocurrieron en pacientes sin osteoporosis por DXA. Conclusiones: el TBS aumentaría la capacidad de DXA para identificar a mujeres argentinas en riesgo de padecer fracturas sin tener osteoporosis densitométrica. Este es el primer trabajo realizado en la Argentina con medición de TBS. (AU)

Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) is a measure of the grey scale derived from DXA lumbar image and provides information about microarchitecture. It has been shown that low TBS values can predict fractures. Our objective was to evaluate if there are any differences between the TBS values in patients with fractures vs. non-fractures. Materials and methods: We reviewed 159 medical records of menopausal women who consulted for evaluation of their bone health. Self-reported fractures (Fx), spine BMD, femoral neck and total femur and TBS were evaluated. Results: thirty patients (18.9%) presented fractures and they showed lower TBS (with Fx: 1,295±0,083 vs. without Fx: 1,366±0,084, p<0.0001), lower body mass index (BMI) (with Fx: 23.7±1.9 vs. without Fx 25.7±4.2, p=0.02), without differences in ages (p=0.39) or in BMD values (L1-L4 p=0.11, femoral neck p=0.20 and total femur p=0.12). Some fractures occurred in patients without osteoporosis, as determined by DXA. Conclusions: TBS would increase the ability of DXA to identify Argentine women at risk for fractures without densitometric osteoporosis. This is the first work done in Argentina with TBS measurement. (AU)

Evaluación de la respuesta densitométrica en pacientes con osteoporosis posmenopáusica tratadas con ranelato de estroncio o denosumab / Densitometric response in postmenopausal osteoporosis treated with strontium ranelate or denosumab

Tanto el ranelato de estroncio (RSr) como el denosumab (Dmab) son eficaces en el tratamiento de la osteoporosis (OP) posmenopáusica (PM). El efecto de cada fármaco por separado sobre la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) ha sido estudiado recientemente. Con ambas drogas se observó, al año de tratamiento, un aumento significativo de la DMO en columna lumbar (CL), cuello femoral (CF) y cadera total (CT). En este trabajo comparamos la respuesta densitométrica al año de tratamiento con una y otra droga. Utilizamos los registros de 425 pacientes PMOP tratadas con Dmab y 441 tratadas con RSr. En cada paciente analizamos el porcentaje de cambio; se clasificaron como respondedoras aquellas que mostraron un cambio ≥3%. Adicionalmente se comparó la respuesta en pacientes no previamente tratadas con bifosfonatos (BF-naïve) en comparación con pacientes que habían recibido previamente un BF. Al analizar el grupo completo para Dmab, el porcentaje de pacientes respondedoras fue de 68,4% en CL, 63,3% en CF y 49,3% en CT. Por otro lado, en el grupo de pacientes tratadas con RSr, el porcentaje de respondedoras (53,8% en CL, 40,0% en CF y 35,6% en CT) fue estadísticamente menor. Cuando comparamos la respuesta entre las pacientes BF-naïve que recibieron RSr o Dmab, el Dmab indujo mayor respuesta en CL y CF que el grupo RSr, sin diferencias en CT. Cuando se analizaron los subgrupos BF-previo, las tratadas con Dmab mostraron mayor respuesta en todas las regiones. Conclusión: en pacientes con OP-PM, el tratamiento con Dmab produjo mayores incrementos densitométricos que el RSr, siendo el porcentaje de pacientes respondedoras mayor con Dmab que con RSr. (AU)

Both strontium ranelate (SrR) and denosumab (Dmab) are effective in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP). The effect of each drug on bone mineral density (BMD) has been studied separately by us. With both treatments, there was a significant increase after one year of treatment at the lumbar spine (LS) and hip. In this paper we compared the densitometric response after one year of treatment with both drugs used separately. We used the clinical records of 425 PM patients treated with Dmab and 441 treated with SrR. For each patient we analyzed the percentage of change; those who showed a change ≥3% were classified as responders. Additionally, the response was compared in patients not previously treated with bisphosphonates (BP-naïve) compared to patients who had previously received a BP. When analyzing the complete group for Dmab, the percentage of "responders" was 65.2% at the LS, 62.9% at the femoral neck (FN) and 47.4% at the total hip (TH). On the other hand, in the group of patients treated with SrR the percentage of responders (53.8% at the LS, 40.0% at the FN and 35.6% at the TH) was statistically lower. When comparing the response between in BF-naïve patients receiving RSr or Dmab, Dmab induced a greater response at the LS and FN than the RSr group, with no statistical differences at the TH. When the subgroups with prior BP treatment were analyzed, those treated with Dmab showed greater response in all regions. Conclusion: in patients with PMOP treatment with Dmab produced greater densitometric increments than SrR, and the percentage of responders was higher with Dmab than with SrR. (AU)

Strontium ranelate effect on bone mineral density is modified by previous bisphosphonate treatment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of strontium ranelate (SrR) on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers after 1 year of treatment. Additionally, the effect of SrR in bisphosphonate-naïve patients (BP-naïve) compared to patients previously treated with bisphosphonates (BP-prior) was analyzed. This retrospective study included 482 postmenopausal women treated with SrR (2 g/day) for 1 year in ten Argentine centers; 41 patients were excluded due to insufficient data, while 441 were included. Participants were divided according to previous bisphosphonate treatment in two groups: BP-naïve (n = 87) and BP-prior (n = 350). Data are expressed as mean ± SEM. After 1 year of treatment with SrR the bone formation markers total alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were increased (p < 0.0001), while the bone resorption marker s-CTX was decreased (p = 0.0579). Also increases in BMD at the lumbar spine (LS, 3.73%), femoral neck (FN, 2.00%) and total hip (TH, 1.54%) [p < 0.0001] were observed. These increments were significant (p < 0.0001) both among BP-naïve and BP-prior patients. Interestingly, the change in BMD after 1 year of SrR treatment was higher in BP-naïve patients: LS: BP-naïve = 4.58 ± 0.62%; BP-prior = 3.45 ± 0.28% (p = 0.078). FN: BP-naïve = 2.79 ± 0.56%; BP-prior = 2.13 ± 0.29% (p = 0.161). TH: BP-naïve = 3.01 ± 0.55%; BP-prior = 1.22 ± 0.27% (p = 0.0006). SrR treatment increased BMD and bone formation markers and decreased a bone resorption marker in the whole group, with better response in BP-naïve patients.

Tall stature without growth hormone: four male patients with aromatase deficiency.

CONTEXT: From preliminary observations, GH-IGF-I seems to be compromised in men with aromatase deficiency. The GH deficiency (GHD) coexists paradoxically with tall stature, raising the question whether or not a true GHD is part of this rare syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the GH secretion in aromatase-deficient men, their GH response to the GHRH plus arginine (GHRH-ARG) test was compared with that of normal subjects. The effect of estrogen replacement treatment on the GH-IGF-I axis in aromatase-deficient men was evaluated before and during therapy. DESIGN AND SETTING: A case-control study was conducted. PATIENTS: Four adult men with aromatase deficiency were compared with 12 normal subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured the GH response to GHRH-ARG in aromatase-deficient men (at baseline and during estrogen treatment) and in normal subjects. Basal serum IGF-I was measured in both patients and controls. RESULTS: The response of GH to GHRH-ARG was severely impaired in men with aromatase deficiency and resulted in significantly lower (P < 0.001) levels than in normal subjects. Although normal, serum IGF-I levels were also significantly lower (P < 0.001) than in normal subjects. Both GH peak and IGF-I concentrations were not modified by estrogen therapy in men with aromatase deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: In aromatase-deficient men, GH response to potent provocative stimuli is impaired and is not restored by exogenous estrogens. Furthermore, a tall stature may be reached, notwithstanding the coexistence of GHD, if a prolonged time for growth is available due to a delay in bone maturation, and other growth factors different from GH (mainly insulin) promote growth.