Official Position of the Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Metabolism (ABRASSO) on the evaluation of body composition by densitometry—part II (clinical aspects): interpretation, reporting, and special situations

Abstract Objective: To present an updated and evidence-based guideline for the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess body composition in clinical practice. Materials and methods: This Official Position was developed by the Scientific Committee of the Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Metabolism ( Associação Brasileira de Avaliação Óssea e Osteometabolismo , ABRASSO) and experts in the field who were invited to contribute to the preparation of this document. The authors searched current databases for relevant publications in the area of body composition assessment. In this second part of the Official Position, the authors discuss the interpretation and reporting of body composition parameters assessed by DXA and the use of DXA for body composition evaluation in special situations, including evaluation of children, persons with HIV, and animals. Conclusion: This document offers recommendations for the use of DXA in body composition evaluation, including indications, interpretation, and applications, to serve as a guiding tool in clinical practice and research for health care professionals in Brazil.

Relationship of the sacral slope with early gait derangements in robust older women

Abstract Background: Trunk pelvic dissociation is fundamental to the compensatory mechanism for muscle weakness during body bending. We carried out an early investigation of gait changes in a sample of community-dwelling women ≥60 years without gait complaints. The primary objective was to correlate spine and pelvic angles with performance tests and accelerometry parameters. The secondary objective was to correlate performance tests with accelerometry. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 54 community-dwelling women ≥60years were subjected to Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), performance tests (Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go, and Gait analysis), and radiographic analysis of sagittal alignment (Thoracic and Lumbar Cobb, Pelvic Incidence, Sacral Slope, and Pelvic Tilt angles). Gait speed was assessed in a 10-m comfortable walk, and accelerometry parameters were obtained in a 30m walk distance. Results: The sample, aged 72 ±6 years, exhibited moderate correlation between Sacral Slope and Step Length (+ 0.615). Sacral Slope weakly correlated with FES-I (- 0.339), Berg Balance Scale (+0.367), and with further accelerometry data in the AP plane: RMS, (+ 0.439) and Stride Regularity (+ 0.475), p < 0.05, all. Lumbar Cobb weakly correlated with the following accelerometry data in the AP plane: Step Length (+0.405), RMS, (+0.392), and Stride Regularity (+ 0.345), p < 0.05, all. Additionally, Stride Regularity in AP moderately correlated with FES-I (0,561, p < 0.05), among other weak correlations between performance tests and accelerometry data in AP. Conclusions: Early alterations in Sacral Slope and gait abnormalities in the AP plane may provide understanding of the early gait changes in robust older women.

Dentists' knowledge about osteoporosis and their ability to identify the disease

Abstract Background: Osteoporosis is an underdiagnosed condition, and its seriousness is not considered until severe complications arise. This study aimed to evaluate general dentists' knowledge about osteoporosis and their ability to identify patients with this disease by assessing mandibular cortical width (MCW) and mandibular cortical index (MCI) on panoramic dental radiographs using a visual method. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, an email questionnaire regarding the diagnosis and prevention of osteoporosis was sent to 20,773 dentists in 2016. Those who completed the questionnaire were invited to participate in radiomorphometric training and then to analyze the MCI and MCW of 114 panoramic radiographs of postmenopausal women who underwent both panoramic radiography and bone densitometry. Based on the radiomorphometric indices and while blinded to the densitometry results, the dentists determined whether they would indicate densitometry for these patients. Results: The response rate was 2.3%: 485 dentists completed the questionnaire, and 50 evaluated panoramic radiographs using the MCW and MCI. All of them reported some knowledge about osteoporosis, but 41.6% demonstrated a misleading conceptualization of the disease. Approximately 90% reported minimal access to this information during graduation, and only 27.0% were exposed to the topic during their postgraduate studies. Interest in osteoporosis prevention was expressed by 70.7% of the respondents, and interest in learning the radiomorphometric indices was expressed by 99.0%. The sensitivity in the detection of low bone mineral density through the MCW and MCI was 52.9%, and the specificity was 64%. Conclusions: Brazilian dentists demonstrated insufficient knowledge about osteoporosis and a low ability to detect osteopenia or osteoporosis by applying radiomorphometric indices.

Higher bodily adiposity, fat intake, and cholesterol serum levels are associated with higher disease activity in psoriatic arthritis patients: is there a link among fat and skin and joint involvement?

INTRODUCTION/ OBJECTIVES: Assuming that there is a link between lipid and glucose metabolism and inflammation in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), our aim was to evaluate the relationships among body composition measurements, food intake, and disease activity in patients with PsA. METHODS: A total of 97 patients with PsA, according to the CASPAR criteria, were included in this cross-sectional study. Body composition measurements (whole-body DXA, GE-Lunar), food intake (3-day registry) and biochemical and inflammatory serum markers were evaluated. Skin and joint disease activity were assessed by using PASI, BSA, DAS28, and minimal disease activity (MDA). The level of significance was set as p < 0.05. RESULTS: A higher prevalence of obesity, according to the fat mass index (FMI) (92.7%), and metabolic syndrome (MetS) (54%) were found, but no significant changes regarding lean or bone mass were found. Joint disease activity was positively correlated with total body fat (r = 0.4; p < 0.001), FMI (r = 0.33; p < 0.001), body mass index (r = 0.20; p < 0.049) and waist circumference (r = 0.27; p = 0.009). In addition, joint disease activity was negatively associated with muscle mass (r = - 0.38; p < 0.001). Skin disease activity was positively correlated with total cholesterol (r = 0.3; p = 0.003) and LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.28; p = 0.006). After multiple adjustments, patients with severe joint disease activity had higher body adiposity than patients in remission or with low disease activity. Skin disease activity was associated with higher trans-fat intake and lower omega-6 consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a possible harmful link among fat (body adiposity, saturated fat consumption, LDL-cholesterol serum levels) and joint and skin disease activity in patients with PsA.

Screening for vitamin D deficiency in a tropical area: results of a sun exposure questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is pandemic while resources available to measure 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) are limited. The present study aimed to verify whether sun exposure measured by a structured questionnaire could predict serum 25OHD concentrations in healthy Caucasian individuals living in a tropical area. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in subjects living in the greater São Paulo area, Brazil. Two groups of 50 young (20 to 40 years old) and 50 older (60 to 80 years old) subjects (N = 200) answered a structured questionnaire on sun exposure and had blood samples drawn for serum 25OHD concentration measurement during both summer and winter. Anthropometric data were also recorded. Correlation between the questionnaire variables (duration of sun exposure, amount of exposed skin, total sun exposure score - TSES and other data) and serum 25OHD concentration was evaluated. RESULTS: Mean serum 25OHD concentration was 17.60 ± 7.3 ng/mL with no difference between age groups (p = 0.293). TSES weakly correlated with serum 25OHD levels (r = 0.264; p < 0.001). Separate analyzes by age groups demonstrated that TSES correlated significantly with serum 25OHD concentration only in the older subjects during summer (r = 0.322; p = 0.023). Using linear regression analyses, TSES and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with serum 25OHD levels. On the other hand, Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for TSES showed no significance as a screening tool for vitamin D deficiency (p = 0.172). CONCLUSION: Sun exposure questionnaire associated with BMI correlates with serum 25OHD concentration with very low accuracy. The use of the questionnaire does not discriminate between vitamin D sufficient and deficient individuals.

Guidelines of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in men / Diretrizes da Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia para diagnóstico e tratamento da osteoporose em homens

Abstract Osteoporosis, a metabolic disease characterized by low bone mass, deterioration of the bone tissue microarchitecture and increased susceptibility to fractures, is commonly regarded as a women's health problem. This point of view is based on the fact that compared with men, women have lower bone mineral density and longer lifespans and lose bone mass faster, especially after menopause, due to a marked decrease in serum estrogen levels. However, in the last 20 years, osteoporosis in men has become recognized as a public health problem due to the occurrence of an increasingly higher number of fragility fractures. Approximately 30% of all hip fractures occur in men. Recent studies show that the probability of fracture due to hip, vertebral or wrist fragility in Caucasian men older than fifty years, for the rest of their lives, is approximately 13% versus a 40% probability of fragility fractures in women. Men show bone mass loss and fractures later than women. Although older men have a higher risk of fracture, approximately half of all hip fractures occur before the age of 80. Life expectancy is increasing for both sexes in Brazil and worldwide, albeit at a higher rate for men than for women. This Guideline was based on a systematic review of the literature on the prevalence, etiology, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in men.

Resumo Osteoporose, uma doença metabólica caracterizada por baixa massa óssea, deterioração da microarquitetura do tecido ósseo e aumento da suscetibilidade a fraturas, é comumente vista como um problema de saúde feminino. Essa visão tem fundamentos: em comparação com os homens as mulheres têm densidade mineral óssea menor, têm vida mais longa e perdem massa óssea mais rapidamente, principalmente após a menopausa, devido à diminuição acentuada dos níveis séricos de estrógeno. Entretanto, nos últimos 20 anos a osteoporose no homem tem sido reconhecida como um problema de saúde pública devido à ocorrência cada vez maior de fraturas por fragilidade. Cerca de 30% de todas as fraturas de quadril ocorrem em homens. Estudos recentes mostram que a probabilidade de fratura por fragilidade do quadril, vértebra ou punho em homens brancos após os 50 anos, pelo resto de suas vidas, situa-se em torno de 13%, 40% nas mulheres. Os homens apresentam perda de massa óssea e fraturas mais tardiamente do que as mulheres. Embora os homens mais idosos tenham maior risco de fratura, cerca de metade das fraturas de quadril ocorre antes dos 80 anos. A expectativa de vida tem aumentado para ambos os sexos no Brasil e em todo o mundo, porém em uma velocidade maior para homens do que para mulheres. Esta Diretriz foi baseada em uma revisão sistemática da literatura com relação a prevalência, etiologia, diagnóstico e tratamento da osteoporose em homens.

Brazilian guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis / Diretrizes brasileiras para o diagnóstico e tratamento da osteoporose em mulheres na pós-menopausa

Abstract Osteoporosis is the leading cause of fractures in the population older than 50 years. This silent disease affects primarily postmenopausal women and the elderly, and the morbidity and mortality rates are high. The main goal of treating osteoporosis is the prevention of fractures. The identification of populations at risk through early diagnosis and treatment is essential. The last Brazilian guideline for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis was elaborated in 2002. Since then, new strategies for diagnosis and risk stratification have been developed, and drugs with novel action mechanisms have been added to the therapeutic arsenal. The Osteoporosis and Osteometabolic Diseases Committee of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology, in conjunction with the Brazilian Medical Association and other Societies, has developed this update of the guidelines for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis according to the best scientific evidence available. This update is intended for professionals in many medical and health specialties involved in the treatment of osteoporosis, for physicians in general and for health-related organizations.

Resumo A osteoporose é a principal causa de fraturas na população acima de 50 anos. É uma doença silenciosa que afeta especialmente as mulheres na pós-menopausa e idosos e tem elevada taxa de morbimortalidade. O principal objetivo do tratamento da osteoporose é a prevenção das fraturas. A identificação dessa população de risco através do diagnóstico e tratamento precoces é de fundamental importância. A última diretriz brasileira para tratamento da osteoporose em mulheres na pós-menopausa foi elaborada em 2002. Desde então foram desenvolvidas novas estratégias de diagnóstico da osteoporose, bem como fármacos com novos mecanismos de ação foram adicionados ao arsenal terapêutico. A Comissão de Osteoporose e Doenças Osteometabólicas da Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia em conjunto com a Associação Médica Brasileira e sociedades afins desenvolveu esta atualização da diretriz do tratamento da osteoporose em mulheres na pós-menopausa de acordo com as melhores evidências científicas disponíveis. Esta atualização é destinada aos profissionais das várias especialidades médicas e da área da saúde envolvidos no tratamento da osteoporose, médicos em geral e organizações relacionadas à saúde.

Impaired bone mineral accrual in prepubertal HIV-infected children: a cohort study

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bone mass accrual and determine the influence of clinical, anthropometric, dietary and biochemical parameters on bone mass. METHODS: A cohort study including 35 prepubertal HIV-infected children, between 7 and 12 years, attended at a referral center. At time 1 (T1) and time 2 (T2), patients were assessed according to clinical, anthropometric, dietary, biochemical parameters and bone mineral density (BMD). At T2, patients were divided into prepubertal and pubertal. RESULTS: Despite the increase in bone mass absolute values, there was no improvement in lumbar spine BMD (LSBMD) Z-score (p = 0.512) and worsening in total body BMD (TBMD) Z-score (p = 0.040). Pubertal patients (n = 19) showed higher bone mineral content (BMC) (p = 0.001), TBMD (p = 0.006) and LSBMD (p = 0.002) compared to prepubertal patients. After multivariate linear regression analysis, the predictors of bone mass in T1 were age, BMI and HAZ-scores for BMC; BMI Z-score, adequate serum magnesium concentration and dietary calcium intake for TBMD; adequate serum concentration of magnesium, BMI and HAZ-scores for LSBMD. In T2, age, total body fat and lean body mass (kg) for BMC; BMI Z-score and puberty for TBMD; dietary fat intake, BMI Z-score for BMD and puberty for LSBMD. CONCLUSION: HIV-infected children have compromised bone mass and the presence of puberty seems to provide suitability of these parameters. Adequate intake of calcium and fat appears to be protective for proper bone mass accumulation factor, as well as monitoring nutritional status and serum magnesium concentration.

Body composition and lipodystrophy in prepubertal HIV-infected children

OBJECTIVE: To identify lipodystrophy in prepubertal HIV-infected children using anthropometric parameters and body composition assessment. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 40 prepubertal HIV-infected children of both genders seen at the Care Center of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo city, Brazil, was carried out from August to December 2008. Age, clinical and immunological status, prophylaxis, transmission and highly active antiretroviral therapy were recorded. Body mass index z-score and height-for-age z-score were calculated to characterize the nutritional status. Circumferences were measured with flexible tape and skinfolds were assessed by an adipometry. Fat mass and lean mass were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Presence of clinical signs of lipodystrophy was assessed by a trained clinician. Data were analyzed using SPSS 12.0 software. RESULTS: The mean age and standard deviation were 9.8 (1.2) years, 50% were girls and 82.5% children from B and C categories. Clinical lipodystrophy and dislypidemia were present in 27.5% and 70%, respectively. The trunk to arm ratio and the limb to trunk ratio had positive association with lipodystrophy. Patients with lipodystrophy had short stature, higher triglycerides values and lower HDL-cholesterol. CONCLUSION: The ratios obtained by skinfolds and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements can be considered as indicators of preclinical lipodystrophy. The cutoff points have not been determined yet; however, continuous assessment may be useful to identify early body composition changes.

High bone density and bone health.

The aim of this paper is to review the main aspects related to high bone density (HBD) as well as to discuss the physiologic mechanisms involved in bone health. There are still no well-defined criteria for identification of individuals with HBD and there are few studies on the topic. Most studies demonstrate that overweight, male gender, black ethnic background, physical activity, calcium and fluoride intake and use of medications such as statins and thiazide diuretics play a relevant and positive role on bone mineral density. Moreover, it is known that individuals with certain diseases such as obesity, diabetes, estrogen receptor-positive breast or endometrial cancer have greater bone density than healthy individuals, as well as athletes having higher bone density than non-athletes does not necessarily mean that they have healthy bones. A better understanding of risk and protective factors may help in the management of patients with bone frailty and have applicability in the treatment and in the prevention of osteoporosis, especially intervening on non-modifiable risk factors.

Intermittent PTH1-34 causes DNA and chromosome breaks in osteoblastic and nonosteoblastic cells.

Toxicological studies have demonstrated that intermittent PTH1-34 treatment is associated with an increased incidence of osteosarcoma in Fischer 344 rats. Comet and micronucleus (MN) tests, standard methods to evaluate genotoxic potential of drugs, were used to detect DNA and chromosome breaks, respectively, after PTH1-34 treatment. MC3T3 cells, primary osteoblast calvarial cells, and human osteoblasts were treated with PTH1-34 (50 and 100 nM) for 6 h/day for 21 days to mimic intermittent administration. Genotoxic assays were performed at 6 h and 7, 14, and 21 days. Osteoblasts extracted from bone marrow of mice treated with daily subcutaneous PTH1-34 injections (20 and 40 µg/kg) for 10 weeks as well as Hep-2, HeLa, and Hep-G2 cells were also tested. We observed a significant increase in DNA lesions and MN prevalence in human and murine osteoblasts treated with PTH1-34 compared to controls (P < 0.01). The effect observed in vitro and confirmed in vivo was time- and dose-dependent. For nonosteoblastic Hep-2 and HeLa cells we observed increased DNA damage and MN prevalence only later in the course of the protocol, after 21 days of treatment (P < 0.01). In Hep-G2 cells intermittent PTH1-34 did not induce DNA damage or chromosome breaks. Our results demonstrated that intermittent PTH increases DNA and chromosome breaks in osteoblasts. This genotoxic effect is attenuated in nonosteoblastic cells, and the ability to induce DNA damage is lost in cells with detoxification properties (HepG2 cells) tested in vitro.

Bone mineral density and body composition in adolescents with failure to thrive / Densidade mineral óssea e composição corporal em adolescentes com déficit de crescimento

Objective: To evaluate bone mineral mass in adolescents with failure to thrive in relation to body composition. Methods: A case-control study involving 126 adolescents (15 to 19 years), in final puberty maturation being 76 eutrophic and 50 with failure to thrive (genetic or constitutional delay of growth), of matching ages, gender and pubertal maturation. The weight, height and calculated Z score for height/age and body mass index; bone mineral content, bone mineral density and adjusted bone mineral density were established for total body, lower back and femur; total fat-free mass and height-adjusted fat-free mass index, total fat mass and height-adjusted. The statistical analyses were performed using the Student?s t-test (weight, height and body composition); Mann-Whitney test (bone mass) and multiple linear regression (bone mass determinants). Results: weight, height and height/age Z-score were significantly higher among eutrophic subjects. Both groups did not show statistically significant differences for fat mass, percentage of fat mass, total fat mass height adjusted and fat-free mass index height adjusted. However, total free fat mass was smaller for the failure to thrive group. Conclusions: There was no statistically significant difference for bone mass measurements among adolescents with failure to thrive; however, the factors that determine bone mass formation should be better studied due to the positive correlation with free fat mass detected in these individuals.

Objetivos: Avaliar a massa mineral óssea de adolescentes com déficit de crescimento, correlacionando-a com alguns aspectos de sua composição corporal. Métodos: Estudo caso-controle envolvendo 126 adolescentes (15 a 19 anos de idade), nos estádios finais da puberdade sendo 76 eutróficos e 50 com déficit de crescimento, familiar ou atraso constitucional do crescimento, pareados segundo a idade, o gênero e o grau de estadiamento puberal. Foram medidos o peso, a estatura e calculados escore Z de estatura/idade e o índice de massa corpórea; foram determinados o conteúdo mineral ósseo, a densidade mineral óssea e a densidade mineral óssea ajustada do corpo total, coluna lombar e fêmur; massa magra total e corrigida para a estatura, massa gorda total e corrigida para a estatura. Utilizaram-se os testes t de Student (peso, estatura e composição corporal) e de Mann-Whitney (massa óssea), e a regressão linear múltipla (determinantes da massa óssea). Resultados: O peso, a estatura e o Z-estatura/idade foram significativamente maiores entre os eutróficos. Os dois grupos não apresentaram diferença significativa para a massa gorda, percentagem de massa gorda, massa magra total corrigida para estatura e massa gorda total corrigida para estatura. Contudo, a massa magra foi menor para o grupo dom déficit de crescimento. Conclusões: Não foi encontrada diferença significativa entre as medidas de massa óssea de adolescentes com déficit de crescimento, contudo os fatores determinantes da formação da massa óssea devem ser mais bem estudados devido à correlação positiva com massa magra total detectada entre estes indivíduos com déficit de crescimento.

Conhecimento dos médicos clínicos do Brasil sobre as estratégias de prevenção e tratamento da osteoporose / Brazilian general practitioner's knowledge on osteoporosis prevention and treatment strategies

OBJETIVOS: investigar o conhecimento de profissionais médicos brasileiros a respeito da osteoporose, estratégias de prevenção e tratamento e o acesso à informação em osteoporose, utilizando-se um questionário desenvolvido para avaliar o conhecimento de profissionais médicos em relação à importância da osteoporose e suas estratégias de tratamento. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: o questionário foi divulgado a11 mil médicos afiliados à Sociedade Brasileira de Clínica Médica (SBCM). Realizou-se a divulgação da pesquisa e do questionário por meio de anúncios publicados no Jornal do Clínico. Inicialmente, foi disponibilizado na home-page e, em seguida, diretamente enviado via e-mail aos sócios cadastrados da SBCM. RESULTADOS: um total de 329 questionários retornou aos pesquisadores. A maioria dos médicos (55,3 por cento) tinha tempo de graduação superior a 10 anos. Pouco mais que a metade dos profissionais médicos pesquisados (55 por cento) relatou ter fácil acesso à densitometria óssea. A maioria (99 por cento) dos participantes acredita que é importante ou muito importante prevenir a osteoporose. Da mesma forma, 73 por cento dos médicos pesquisados acreditam que a osteoporose possa ser prevenida e 63 por cento deles discutem o assunto com os seus pacientes. Por outro lado, mais da metade dos médicos pesquisados não crê que seus pacientes venham a mudar hábitos de vida e cerca de 50 por cento deles não acreditam que seus pacientes venham a aderir ao tratamento da doença em longo prazo. Apenas 35 por cento dos médicos pesquisados acreditam que os tratamentos para osteoporose sejam efetivos. Cerca de 82 por cento fazem uso da densitometria óssea. Médicos com 10 anos ou mais de graduação utilizam a densitometria óssea mais freqüentemente que seus colegas com menos tempo de graduação. CONCLUSÃO: os autores acreditam que as informações obtidas no presente estudo poderiam ser úteis para o início do desenvolvimento de estratégias educacionais efetivas para...

OBJECTIVES: Brazilian physicians' knowledge on osteoporosis prevention and treatment strategies was investigated in this cross-sectional study. A specific structured questionnaire was designed to evaluate physicians' knowledge regarding osteoporosis prevention and treatment as well as osteoporosis information access. PATIENTS AND METHODS: the questionnaire was made available to around 11,000physicians affiliated to the Brazilian Society of Internal Medicine (BSIM). The questionnaire was initially presented at the BSIM home-page and subsequently sent by e-mail to all BSIM members. RESULTS: a total of 329 answered questionnaires returned to the researchers. Most of the physicians that answered the questionnaire (55.3 percent) had time since graduation lougher than 10 years and half of them (55 percent) reported having easy access to bone densitometry. The great majority of the physicians (99 percent) believe that preventing osteoporosis is important or very important. Accordingly, 73 percent of the physicians believe that osteoporosis can be prevented and around 63 percent of them discuss the issue with their patients regularly. On the other hand, most of the physicians that answered the questionnaire do not believe that their patients are able to change life habits or will adhere to the treatment in the long-term. Only 35 percent of the physicians believe that current osteoporosis treatment is effective. Around 82 percent of the physicians make use of bone densitometry to evaluate osteoporosis. Physicians with time since graduation higher than 10 years reported using bone densitometry more often than their colleagues with less time since graduation. CONCLUSION: our results demonstrate that educational programs aiming at the general practitioner are needed in order to provide better care in terms of prevention and treatment of skeletal fragility syndromes.

Sarcopenia associada ao envelhecimento: aspectos etiológicos e opções terapêuticas / Sarcopenia and aging: etiological aspects and therapeutic options

A prevalência de incapacidade e dependência funcional é maior em idosos e está intimamente associada à redução da massa muscular, que ocorre, até mesmo, em indivíduos saudáveis. A sarcopenia parece decorrer da interação complexa de distúrbios da inervação, diminuição de hormônios, aumento de mediadores inflamatórios e alterações da ingestão protéico-calórica que ocorrem durante o envelhecimento. A perda de massa e força muscular é responsável pela redução de mobilidade e aumento da incapacidade funcional e dependência. Quando associada à fragilidade, esta perda gera custos econômicos e sociais. Neste artigo, pretende-se avaliar aspectos relacionados à gênese da sarcopenia, bem como analisar possíveis opções terapêuticas e de prevenção.

The high prevalence of inability and functional dependence is an important problem in elderly people. It is closely related with aging decrease of lean muscle mass that occurs even in healthy subjects. Skeletal muscle mass deficiency, or sarcopenia, results from complex interactions between innervations disturbances, hormones deficiency, inflammatory cytokines and restriction in caloric-proteic ingestion. Loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength results in disability and functional dependency that are associated to frailty in many elderly people. These conditions represent enormous economic and social budget. In this article, we evaluate pathogenesis of sarcopenia and discuss potential therapies.

Fatores dietéticos, atividade física e composição corporal de mulheres na pós-menopausa com osteoporose / Diet, physical activity and body composition of post-menopausal women with osteoporosis

Numerous metabolic, physiologic and functional changes take place in post-menopausal elderly women. This is due, in part, to changes in body composition, because of the loss of bone, reduction of muscle and increaseof fat tissues. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate body composition, food intake and physical activity of elderly women. Twenty four women who attend the Osteoporosis Clinic of Hospital São Paulo, averageage of 64.3±7.2 years-old, and body mass index of 25.6±3.3kg/m2, were invited to enroll in the study. Bone densitometry was used to assess body composition. The diet and physical activity were collected by means of at hree-day diary and by the Beacke questionnaire, respectively. Average caloricintake was 1293±487Kcal/day. Protein, fat, carbohydrate and phosphorusin takes were 1.09±0.5g/kg/day, 35±16g/day, 185±76g/day and 901±76mg/day, respectively, being all of them within the Dietary Recomended Intake(DRIs) guidelines. However, the mean calcium intake (663±320mg/day) was bellow the values recommended for this group (1200mg/day ­ DRI's, 1997).Analysis of body composition showed that 83% of the participants were classified as obese (mean body fat 38.0±7.8%). Assessment of physical activity showed that 75% did not engage in any activity, being considered sedentary.These results emphasize the importance of a detailed assessment of food intake,of the level of physical activity and body composition, in order to preventage-related bone metabolism co-morbidities

Mujeres en la pos-menopausia sufren alteraciones metabólicas, fisiológicas y funcionales. En parte, eso se debe a los câmbios en la composición corporal, porque hay uma perdida de masa ósea, disminución de la massa muscular y aumento de la grasa corporal. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la composición corporal, ingesta alimentar y actividad física de mujeres en lesa fase de la vida.Veinticuatro mujeres frecuentadoras de la Clínicade Osteoporosis del Hospital São Paulo conpromedio de edad (64,3 ± 7,2 años) e índice de masa corporal (25,6 ± 3,3kg/m2), fueron invitadasa participar del estudio. Para evaluar lacomposición corporal fue utilizado densitometria ósea. La dieta y la actividad física fueron registradas por diario y por cuestionario dietéticode BEACKE durante tres días. La ingestión calórica media fue de 1293 ± 487Kcal/día. Laingesta de proteína, grasa, carbohidratos yfósforo fueron 1,09 ± 0,5Kcal/día, 35 ± 16g/día,185 ± 76g/día y 901 ± 76mg/día,respectivamente, todos de acuerdo con lo propuesto por las Dietary Recommended Intakes(DRI). El promedio de ingesta de calcio (663 ±320mg/día) estaba abajo de lo recomendadopara este grupo (1200mg/día ­ DRI's 1997). Elanálisis de la composición corporal demostró queel 83% de las participantes eran clasificadascomo obesas (promedio de grasa corporal 38.0± 7.8%). La evaluación física mostró que el 75%no realizaban actividad física siendo consideradas sedentarias. Esos resultados enfatizan la importancia de evaluar la alimentación y la práctica de ejercicios físicos además de una evaluación de la composición corporal para prevenir comorbidades relacionadas con el metabolismo óseo causadas por el envejecimiento

Em mulheres idosas, na pós-menopausa, ocorrem alterações metabólicas, fisiológicas e funcionais. Em parte, isso se deve as mudanças da composição corporal, pois há uma perda de massa óssea , diminuição da massa muscular e aumento da gordura corporal. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a composição corporal, ingestão alimentar e atividade física de mulheres idosas. Vinte e quatro mulheres freqüentadoras do Ambulatório de Osteoporose do Hospital São Paulo, idade média (64,3 ± 7,2 anos) e índice de massa corporal (25,6 ± 3,3kg/m2), foram convidadas a participar do estudo. Para avaliar a composição corporal foi utilizada a densitometria óssea. A dieta e a atividade física foram coletadas por diário de três dias e pelo questionário de Beacke, respectivamente. A ingestão calórica média foi 1293 ± 487Kcal/dia A ingestão de proteína,gordura, carboidrato, e fósforo foram 1,09 ± 0,5g/Kg/dia, 35 ± 16g/dia, 185 ± 76g/dia e 901 ± 76mg/dia, respectivamente, todos de acordo com o proposto pela Dietary Recomended Intake (DRIs). Porém, a ingestão média de cálcio (663 ± 320 mg/d) estava abaixo do recomendado para esse grupo (1200mg/d ­ DRI's, 1997). A análise da composição corporal demonstrou que 83% das participantes foram classificadas como obesas (média de gordura corporal 38,0 ± 7,8%). A avaliação da atividade física mostrou que 75% não realizavam atividade física sendo consideradas sedentárias. Os resultados enfatizam a importância de avaliação detalhada da ingestão alimentar, do nível de atividade física,e da composição corporal, a fim de prevenir co-morbidades do metabolismo ósseo relacionadas ao envelhecimento

Targeted expression of a dominant-negative N-cadherin in vivo delays peak bone mass and increases adipogenesis.

We studied the function of osteoblast cadherins in vivo by transgenic expression of a truncated N-cadherin with dominant-negative action, driven by an osteoblast-specific promoter (OG2-NcadDeltaC). During the first 3 months of life, bone mineral density was reduced, whereas percent body fat was increased in transgenic animals compared with wild-type littermates, with associated decreased bone formation rate and osteoblast number, but normal osteoclast number. Osteoblast differentiation was delayed in calvaria cells isolated from transgenic mice. Likewise, the number of osteoblast precursors in bone marrow stromal cells from OG2-NcadDeltaC mice was decreased compared with wild-type cultures, whereas the number of adipogenic precursors was increased. In vitro, a transcriptionally active beta-catenin mutant reversed the delay in osteoblast differentiation and the exuberant adipogenesis. Thus, in vivo disruption of cadherin function hinders osteoblast differentiation and favors, indirectly, bone marrow progenitor cell commitment to the alternative adipogenic lineage via interference with beta-catenin signaling. This results in decreased bone formation, delayed acquisition of peak bone mass and increased body fat.

Lifestyle changes after osteoporotic fractures in elderly women

Objetivo: atividades de promoção de saúde e prevenção direcionadas para osteoporose podem ajudar a reduzir a taxa de fraturas osteoporóticas na população idosa. Métodos: para avaliar se mulheres com osteoporose modificam seus hábitos de vida após a fratura, selecionamos 518 mulheres idosas caucasianas de nosso Serviço Ambulatorial de Reumatologia (122 com fratura), que foram seguidas por um ano. O questionário de avaliação foi baseado no European Vertebral Osteoporosis Study (EVOS) e contém tópicos relacionados com queda, massa óssea e fratura. Radiografias lateral da coluna torácica e lombar foram realizadas de acordo com protocolo padrão para verificar fratura vertebral. Densidade mineral óssea foi medida por meio de densitômetro Lunar DPX, Madison, WI. O comportamento das mulheres foi analisado antes e após a fratura. Resultados: antes da fratura, 34 por cento das mulheres tinham pior percepção da saúde, 40,2 por cento caminhavam pelo menos meia hora por dia, 14,7 por cento usavam bengalas, 56,6 por cento queixavam-se de tonturas, 59,6 por cento possuíam tapetes espalhados pela casa, 78,9 por cento usavam transporte público, 21,1 por cento utilizavam transporte privado (carro) e 36,8 por cento usavam solado de couro e não de borracha. Após a fratura 66,4 por cento das mulheres tinham pior percepção da saúde; 69,7 por cento ficaram mais sedentárias, 27,9 por cento usavam mais bengalas, 63,4 por cento queixavam-se de mais tonturas, 38,3 por cento tinham retirado os tapetes de casa, 68,1 por cento trocaram o transporte público por privado e 55,7 por cento modificaram o solado dos sapatos de couro para borracha. Fatores de risco relacionados com a massa óssea não foram modificados após a fratura. Conclusões: estes achados sugerem que mulheres idosas modificam somente os hábitos de vida relacionados com quedas, mas não aqueles relacionados com a massa óssea após a fratura por osteoporose. Pesquisas são necessárias a fim de avaliar quais estratégias de intervenção podem ocasionar melhores resultados na prevenção de fraturas por osteoporose

Vertebral area as a predictor of bone mass in children and adolescents

Objetivo: determinar a influência da área vertebral na avaliação da massa óssea da coluna lombar em crianças em fase de crescimento. Métodos: medimos o conteúdo mineral ósseo (CMO) e a densidade mineral óssea (DMO) da coluna, por meio da densitometria óssea (DEXA), de 255 crianças e adolescentes caucasóides saudáveis (120 meninos e 135 meninas), com idade de 6 a 14 anos, residentes em São Paulo, Brasil. CMO e DMO foram correlacionados com idade e dados antropométricos. Resultados: os valores do CMO e da DMO mostraram aumento progressivo entre 6 e 14 anos de idade, em ambos os sexos, apresentando uma distribuição que se assemelhava a uma curva exponencial. Foi observado um aumento do ganho mineral em meninas com mais de 10 anos, que foi mantido até os 13 anos de idade. Os meninos apresentaram um período de ganho acelerado de massa óssea após os 11 anos, que foi mantido até os 14 anos de idade. Conclusões: observamos forte correlação entre os valores de CMO e DMO e as variáveis peso e altura, em ambos os sexos. Com relação à densidade mineral óssea, durante a análise de regressão múltipla o binômio “área vertebral-idade” foi a variável mais significativa. Área vertebral obtida pela imagem de densitometria óssea parece ser um bom parâmetro para avaliar a DMO da coluna lombar de crianças em crescimento.

Estatinas e densidade mineral óssea: mitos e verdades / Statins and bone mineral density: myth and truth

Os autores realizaram uma revisão da literatura sobre os estudos que abordam os efeitos do uso de estatinas na densidade mineral óssea em modelos experimentais e em humanos. Estudos iniciais em cultura de osteoblastos de murinos demonstraram que as estatinas eram capazes de estimular a formação óssea. Estes achados foram corroborados por outros estudos em animais. Em seres humanos, os resultados são ainda controvertidos, pois a qualidade metodológica desses estudos, até o presente momento, é contestável.

Manifestaçöes neuropsiquiátricas do hiperparatireoidismo primário no idoso: relato de casos e revisao da literatura / Neuropsychiatric manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism in aged person: case report and review of literature

A osteoporose e os distúrbios neuropsiquiátricos surgem com maior frequência entre os pacientes idosos, quando comparados com as demais faixas etárias. Manifestações concomitantes destas síndromes podem apresentar causas comuns. Neste artigo, nós descrevemos os casos de duas mulheres com osteoporose estabelecida e idades de 75 e 80 anos, que desenvolveram sinais e sintomas neuropsiquiátricos (apatia, fraqueza, depressão e perda de memória) associados a hipercalcemia (cálcio iônico de 1,43mmol/L e ,65mmol/L (1,14 -1,30mmol/L), respectiva- mente). Na investigação laboratorial foi observado que os níveis da fração intacta do paratormõnio (PTHi) estavam dentro dos limites da normalidade (64 e 63pg/ml, respectivamente) ou não suprimidos. Após exploração cirúrgica cervical foram removidas, de cada paciente, massas tumorais únicas, cujo anátomo-patológico revelou adenoma de paratireóide. As duas pacientes apresentaram melhora dos sintomas e sinais neuropsiquiátricos após a cirurgia e a segunda paciente obteve ganho de massa óssea significativo, sem uso de qualquer droga antireabsortiva. A outra paciente não pode ser avaliada através da densitometria óssea, devido às deformidades na coluna torácica. A possibilidade de HPTP deve ser sempre considerada, principalmente em pacientes com níveis de paratormônio dentro da faixa de normalidade, ou não suprimidos apesar de cálcio ionizado elevado. Isso ocorre devi- do a alguns tumores de paratireóide apresentarem set poínt alterado em relação aos níveis de cálcio mas sem aumento significativo da pro- dução de paratormõnio. Outra correlação observada é que quanto menor forem os adenomas, maior a chance de serem hipersecretores e autõnomos. Em conclusão, a aferição do cálcio iõnico em pacientes idosos com osteoporose e ou sintomas e sinais neuropsiquiátricos deve ser feita de rotina com o objetivo de se excluir doenças que possam ser tratadas prontamente e com bons resultados.