Low free T3 to free T4 ratio was associated with low muscle mass and impaired physical performance in community-dwelling aged population.

In aged population, the association of thyroid hormones on physical performance, especially within their normal range, has yet to be elucidated. In this study, individuals with low serum free T3/free T4 were likely to have low muscle mass and impaired physical performance. PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the associations of muscle mass, strength, and physical performance with thyroid hormone in an aged euthyroid population from a community-based cohort. METHODS: We examined 918 men aged over 60 years and 1215 postmenopausal women from the Ansung cohort study. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by square of height (ASM/ht2) was used as the muscle mass index. Hand grip strength was measured using a hydraulic dynamometer. Physical performance was assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB). RESULTS: Participants with higher tertiles of free T3 and free T3/free T4 were younger and had higher ASM/ht2, stronger hand grip strength, and higher SPPB scores than those in the lower tertiles. In adjusted models, men within higher tertiles of free T3 had higher ASM/ht2 compared with those within lower tertiles (p = 0.033), whereas subjects with higher tertiles of free T4 had lower ASM/ht2 compared with those within lower tertiles (p = 0.043). Subjects within higher tertiles of free T3/free T4 had higher ASM/ht2 (p < 0.001) and better physical performance (p = 0.048) than those within lower tertiles after adjustments. However, free T3, free T4, or free T3/free T4 was not related to hand grip strength after adjustment for covariates. CONCLUSION: Our results thus indicate that in an aged euthyroid population, low serum free T3/free T4 was a better index for low muscle mass and impaired physical performance than serum free T3 or free T4 alone.

Skeletal effects of vitamin D deficiency among patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Little is known about the association between vitamin D deficiency and the skeletal phenotypes in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) patients. A low 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was associated with a low bone mineral density and deteriorated hip geometry in women with PHPT in an Asian population where vitamin D deficiency is prevalent. INTRODUCTION: Few studies have examined the effect of vitamin D deficiency on the bone health of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) patients. METHODS: We investigated the skeletal effects of vitamin D deficiency in 79 PHPT patients by assessing bone mineral density (BMD), the trabecular bone score (TBS), and hip geometry, which were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (27 men with median age 60 years [53;69]; 52 postmenopausal women with median age of 57 years [53;67]). Cross-sectional data were collected from subjects enrolled in an ongoing PHPT cohort study at Seoul National University Hospital from March 2008 to December 2015. RESULTS: We classified PHPT patients according to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels (<20 vs. ≥20 ng/ml). After adjusting for age and body mass index, women with vitamin D deficiency had lower BMDs at the lumbar spine (LS) and femur neck (FN) than women who had sufficient levels of vitamin D (LS, 0.903 ± 0.138 vs. 0.998 ± 0.184 g/cm2; FN, 0.715 ± 0.084 vs. 0.791 ± 0.113 g/cm2; P < 0.05). However, the total hip BMD and the TBS were not significantly different between the two groups. In the hip geometry analysis, the cross-sectional area, cross-sectional moment of inertia, and section modulus were also significantly lower in women with vitamin D deficiency than in those without. No significant difference was found in the BMD, TBS, or hip geometry according to 25(OH)D levels in men. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with a low BMD and deteriorated hip geometry in postmenopausal women with PHPT.

Dietary potassium intake is beneficial to bone health in a low calcium intake population: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) (2008-2011).

Dietary potassium may neutralize acid load and reduce calcium loss from the bone, leading to beneficial effect on bone mineral density. In this nationwide Korean population study, dietary potassium intake was associated with improved bone mineral density in older men and postmenopausal women. INTRODUCTION: Nutrition is a major modifiable factor that affects bone health. The accompanying anion in dietary potassium may act as an alkaline source by neutralizing the acid load and reducing calcium loss from the bone. We aimed to evaluate the association between dietary potassium intake and bone mineral density (BMD) in the Korean population. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 3135 men aged >50 years and 4052 postmenopausal women from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Lumbar spine, total hip, and femur neck BMD were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The daily food intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: When we divided the participants into tertiles based on the intake of potassium intake, the highest potassium intake tertile group showed a significantly higher total hip and femur neck BMD as compared to lower tertile groups (0.914 ± 0.004, 0.928 ± 0.003, 0.925 ± 0.004 mg/day across the tertiles, P = .014 for total hip; 0.736 ± 0.003, 0.748 ± 0.003, 0.750 ± 0.004 mg/day, P = .012 for femur neck). Postmenopausal women in the highest potassium intake tertile group showed significantly higher lumbar, total hip, and femur neck BMD as compared to those in lower potassium intake tertile groups (0.793 ± 0.004, 0.793 ± 0.003, 0.805 ± 0.004 mg/day across the tertiles, P = .029 for lumbar spine; 0.766 ± 0.003, 0.770 ± 0.002, 0.780 ± 0.003 mg/day, P = .002 for total hip; 0.615 ± 0.003, 0.619 ± 0.002, 0.628 ± 0.003 mg/day, P = .002 for femur neck). CONCLUSIONS: Dietary potassium intake was positively associated with BMD in men aged >50 years and postmenopausal women, indicating the beneficial effects of dietary potassium intake on bone health.

Long-term effect of aromatase inhibitors on bone microarchitecture and macroarchitecture in non-osteoporotic postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

In non-osteoporotic postmenopausal women with breast cancer, aromatase inhibitors (AIs) negatively affected bone mineral density (BMD), lumbar spine trabecular bone score (TBS) as a bone microarchitecture index, and hip geometry as a bone macroarchitecture index. INTRODUCTION: AIs increase the risk of fracture in patients with breast cancer. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the long-term skeletal effects of AIs in postmenopausal women with primary breast cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective longitudinal observational study in non-osteoporotic patients with breast cancer who were treated with AIs for ≥3 years (T-score >-2.5). Patients with previous anti-osteoporosis treatment or those who were given bisphosphonate during AI treatment were excluded from the analysis. We serially assessed BMD, lumbar spine TBS, and hip geometry using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: BMD significantly decreased from baseline to 5 years at the lumbar spine (-6.15%), femur neck (-7.12%), and total hip (-6.35%). Lumbar spine TBS also significantly decreased from baseline to 5 years (-2.12%); this change remained significant after adjusting for lumbar spine BMD. The annual loss of lumbar spine BMD and TBS slowed after 3 and 1 year of treatment, respectively, although there was a relatively constant loss of BMD at the femur neck and total hip for up to 4 years. The cross-sectional area, cross-sectional moment of inertia, minimal neck width, femur strength index, and section modulus significantly decreased, although the buckling ratio increased over the treatment period (all P < 0.001); these changes were independent of total hip BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term adjuvant AI treatment negatively influenced bone quality in addition to BMD in patients with breast cancer. This study suggests that early monitoring and management are needed in non-osteoporotic patients with breast cancer who are starting AIs.

Trabecular bone score as a skeletal fragility index in acromegaly patients.

SUMMARY: Lumbar spine trabecular bone score (TBS) was significantly decreased in active acromegaly patients. TBS may be useful to assess the skeletal fragility in acromegaly in which bone mineral density (BMD) is not sufficient to represent bone strength and explain the high incidence of fragility fractures in acromegaly patients. INTRODUCTION: Although the data on BMD are controversial, patients with acromegaly have an increased risk of fragility fracture. We examined the lumbar spine TBS to explain the skeletal deterioration in acromegaly patients. METHODS: We included 14 men and 19 women acromegaly patients who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the time of diagnosis from 2000 to 2014 at Seoul National University Hospital. Ninety-nine age-, sex- and body mass index-matched controls were recruited. Biochemical parameters, lumbar spine TBS, and BMD at all sites were measured. Gonadal status was evaluated at diagnosis. RESULTS: Lumbar spine TBS was lower in acromegaly patients than in controls in both genders (1.345 ± 0.121 vs. 1.427 ± 0.087, P = 0.005 in men; 1.356 ± 0.082 vs. 1.431 ± 0.071, P = 0.001 in women). In contrast, BMD at all sites did not differ between the two groups. Hypogonadal acromegaly patients (men, n = 9; women, n = 12) had lower TBS values compared with controls both in men and women (all P < 0.05), although BMD at all sites were similar for the two groups. In eugonadal acromegaly patients, lumbar spine TBS was lower than in women controls only (P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Skeletal microarchitecture was deteriorated in acromegaly patients as assessed by TBS, which seems to be a consequence of growth hormone excess as well as hypogonadism, especially in women.

Regional body fat depots differently affect bone microarchitecture in postmenopausal Korean women.

SUMMARY: In a prospective community-based cohort study, we investigated the relationship between trabecular bone score (TBS) and regional fat depots in 1474 Korean postmenopausal women. TBS was positively related with subcutaneous fat and negatively related with visceral fat. INTRODUCTION: The effect of fat distribution (visceral/subcutaneous) on bone quality or microarchitecture has rarely been investigated due to measurement difficulty. We aimed to investigate the relationship between TBS reflecting bone microarchitecture and regional fat depots in Korean women. METHODS: Cross-sectional data evaluation was made from subjects participating in an ongoing prospective community-based cohort study since 2001. A total of 1474 postmenopausal women in the Ansung cohort were analyzed. Regional body fat mass, bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, and total hip and lumbar spine TBS were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS: In an age-adjusted partial correlation analysis, TBS was not associated with total fat mass, but negatively associated with trunk fat mass. However, TBS was positively related with leg (r = 0.102, P < 0.05) and gynoid fat mass (r = 0.086, P < 0.05) and negatively related with android fat mass (r = -0.106; P < 0.05). In linear regression models controlling age, BMI, and physical activity, android fat was inversely associated with TBS (ß = -0.595, P < 0.001), whereas gynoid fat was positively associated with TBS (ß = 0.216, P < 0.001). Lumbar spine and total hip BMDs revealed positive associations with total and all regional fat depots regardless of fat distribution. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that relatively large visceral fat and small subcutaneous fat may have a detrimental effect on TBS, a bone microarchitecture index.

Spinal anesthesia for primary repair of gastroschisis: a new and safe technique for selected patients.

Spinal anesthesia has been described for infants and premature babies undergoing minor operative procedures. The advantages of shorter operating time, avoidance of intubation, and shorter hospital stay have made this the gold standard for premature and other high-risk infants requiring minor procedures. However, little is known about this technique for major interventions in newborns and preterm infants. Recently, four infants born with gastroschisis underwent repair under spinal anesthesia. Two had accompanying intestinal atresia (one with a prenatal perforation and pan-hypopituitarism), and two had intact gastrointestinal systems. The gestational ages were 39, 33, 36, and 36 weeks, respectively. All had primary closure of the defect; one had no repair of the atresia because the bowel was thick and matted with a significant peel, and the defect was not identified. In the second case with atresia, necrosis and perforation of a localized segment of intestine was identified proximal to the intestinal atresia, and was exteriorized with the primary repair. When they arrived in the operating room, all four infants were breathing spontaneously, on room air, after appropriate fluid resuscitation. All underwent spinal anesthesia, which was the only agent used for the operation. The operative time was 45, 25, 30, and 25 minutes, respectively (mean, 31.25 minutes). The duration of anesthesia was 170 to 230 minutes (mean, 205 minutes). All infants were returned to the neonatal intensive care unit on room air and breathing spontaneously. One was given morphine postoperatively and suffered significant respiratory depression, requiring intubation. It appears that spinal anesthesia is safe and effective for major operative procedures in high-risk infants. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cloacal exstrophy: a unified management plan.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The belief that patients with cloacal exstrophy have a short and therefore useless colon is all too common. Frequently, the colon is used for urinary or vaginal reconstruction, and the possibility of a pull-through is lost. In the authors' experience, the use of a unified management plan allowed most patients to undergo pull-through and avoid a permanent stoma. METHODS: Twenty-five patients were treated for cloacal exstrophy in the authors' institution from 1985 through 1999. In all patients, bladder closure, omphalocele repair, and creation of a colostomy were performed at birth. All available colon, no matter how small, was incorporated into the fecal stream. After at least 1 year, patients were assessed for the ability to form solid stool through their stoma. Normal colonic length, capacity to form solid stool, or success with a bowel management regimen through the stoma were considered indications for pull-through. Genitourinary reconstruction was contingent on the colorectal plan. RESULTS: Colonic length ranged from normal in 12 patients, 40 to 70 cm in 3 patients, 10 to 30 cm in 4 patients, and less than 10 cm in 2 patients. All 25 patients underwent pull-through. Three are totally continent, 4 are continent with occasional soiling, 11 remain clean with a bowel management regimen, and 4 are too young to assess. One patient was clean, but now refuses bowel management. Two early patients, both with less than 10 cm of colon, now have ileostomies. CONCLUSIONS: During neonatal repair, a colostomy should be formed incorporating all pieces of colon, no matter how small. With time, most patients will be able to form solid stool, and a pull-through should be undertaken if that ability exists. Decisions regarding genitourinary reconstruction should be made only after the gastrointestinal plan is established to achieve the optimal use of available bowel.

Sequential sac ligation for giant omphalocele.

The authors describe a technique for the management of giant omphalocele in which the sac is not resected, but used to sequentially reduce the contents into the abdominal cavity. Three patients were treated in this fashion. Delayed primary fascial closure was achieved in two. The third patient did not have complete reduction after 3 weeks, and temporary placement of a silastic sheet was required. The sac remained intact in all three cases, and neither infection nor injury to the abdominal contents occurred. This technique has the advantages of maintaining an intact membrane and avoiding the initial operative placement of a prosthetic silo in these sometimes critically ill neonates.

Gastroesophageal reflux associated with large diaphragmatic hernias.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support has improved the outlook for some infants who have large diaphragmatic hernias (CDH). This has resulted in a subset of survivors of CDH with typically larger defects, more severe pulmonary hypoplasia, and more associated pathologies. This report describes the authors' experience with gastroesophageal reflux in patients with large diaphragmatic hernias who require ECMO. Contrary to previous reports, this reflux was severe and intractable. There appears to be a component of associated gastric dysmotility. In treating this reflux, medical therapy and anterior fundoplication were not successful, and Nissen fundoplication combined with pyloroplasty was required to control reflux and to allow gastric feeding. On the basis of the authors' experience, it is recommended that patients who have gastroesophageal reflux after CDH repair, for whom medical management has failed, be managed aggressively by surgery, with early Nissen fundoplication, and pyloroplasty and insertion of a gastric feeding tube.

Congenital urethral fistula with normal anus: a report of two cases.

Congenital rectourethral or anourethral fistulae without imperforate anus in males are rare, representing less than 1% of anorectal malformations. We report our experience with two males with "N type" urethral fistulae. One, a 5-year-old boy, presented with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and passage of urine per anus. Investigations included a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), which demonstrated a fistula from the urethra to the anus. On physical examination, a small perianal opening was noted just outside the anus, which drained a small amount of urine after voiding. The fistula was excised via a perineal approach. The second patient is a 5-year-old boy with a long history of recurrent UTI requiring multiple hospitalizations since the newborn period. Chronic renal failure developed as a complication of repeated urinary tract infections. Investigations showed a single hydronephrotic pelvic kidney and a small bladder. He underwent numerous diagnostic and reconstructive procedures including cystoscopy and augmentation cystoplasty. Recurrent infections continued and an N type anourethral fistula was eventually diagnosed. The fistula was located between the anal canal and the membranous urethra. An anterior perineal approach was also used. Both fistulae were easily located, and reconstructive surgery of the urethra was not required. Postoperative VCUGs in both patients were normal. They have been free of infection with normal urinary continence since resection of the fistula. Congenital N type anourethral fistulae are rare, but should be considered in cases of recurrent urinary tract infections. The diagnosis may be missed by endoscopic procedures, but VCUG should demonstrate the fistulous tract.

Alterations in respiratory status: early signs of severe necrotizing enterocolitis.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) presents with well-recognized signs of intestinal inflammation such as bilious vomiting, bloody stool, abdominal distension, and tenderness. The authors observed otherwise unexplained changes in the respiratory status requiring increased respiratory support during the 24 hours before direct evidence of the intestinal disorder in patients with severe NEC. METHODS: To study this observation the authors collected data on 10 consecutive patients in whom NEC required an operation. RESULTS: Eight of these patients were recovering from respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). During the 24 hours before any direct sign of intestinal dysfunction seven of these eight had a respiratory prodrome needing increased respiratory support. Two patients required intubation and mechanical ventilation. Five needed increased supplemental oxygen. This prodrome included decreased oxygenation in seven, increased respiratory rate in five, and increased PCO2 in five, preceded by hypocarbia in three. CONCLUSIONS: These changes in the respiratory condition revisit the concept of high output respiratory failure. This term was introduced to describe the respiratory failure in adult patients who suffer acute intestinal illness. Increased metabolic demand from the intestinal illness was thought to stress the ability of the patient to delivery oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. The ability of the respiratory system to meet the increased demands is limited by the intestinal dysfunction itself (abdominal pain and distension). In our patients recovering from RDS the pulmonary reserve is inherently limited. Because they are carefully monitored, it is easy to retrieve evidence of respiratory changes that precede the direct signs of intestinal disease. In the earliest stages of intestinal illness before the direct signs of intestinal dysfunction, these patients often manifest unexplained signs of respiratory compensation and decompensation and require increased respiratory support. Regardless of the pathophysiology, these alterations in respiratory status represent an early warning sign of NEC.