Associated Factors for Osteoporosis and Fracture in Chinese Elderly.

BACKGROUND The factors associated with osteoporosis are poorly understood in the Chinese population. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with osteoporosis and with fractures in a Chinese elderly population. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of elderly people living in Tianjin between 2012 and 2014. Bone mineral density was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry. The subjects completed a questionnaire about lifestyle habits, personal and family medical history, calcium intake, and exercising. Data were gathered on occurrence of fracture at 5 years or August 2018, whichever occurred first. RESULTS There were 298 individuals with osteoporosis (18.5% male, median age 67 years) and 397 without (46.3% male, median age 62 years). Male sex (OR=0.051, 95% CI: 0.021-0.126), age (OR=1.049, 95% CI: 1.099-1.202), being divorced/widowed (OR=2.445, 95% CI: 1.219-4.904), digestive ulcer history (OR=3.805, 95% CI: 1.539-9.405), family history of hunchback (OR=2.659, 95% CI: 1.145-6.175), family history of osteoarthropathy (OR=4.222, 95% CI: 2.128-8.375), fracture history (OR=2.138, 95% CI: 1.307-3.496), drinking green tea (OR=0.352, 95% CI: 0.217-0.574), and exercising (OR=0.303, 95% CI: 0.193-0.475) were independently associated with osteoporosis. Digestive ulcer history (OR=3.183, 95% CI: 1.178-8.5992), exercising (OR=0.354, 95% CI: 0.139-0.903), and taking calcium supplements during follow-up (OR=0.262, 95% CI: 0.112-0.611) were independently associated with fractures in patients with osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS Female sex, age, marital status, history of digestive ulcer and fracture, and family history of hunchback and osteoarthropathy are associated with osteoporosis among elderly subjects, while drinking green tea and exercising are inversely associated. Among the patients with osteoporosis, a history of digestive ulcer is associated with fractures, while exercising and taking calcium supplements are inversely associated.

Low­frequency pulsed electromagnetic field promotes functional recovery, reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, and enhances HSP70 expression following spinal cord injury.

Low­frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (LPEMFs) have been reported to be protective for multiple diseases. However, whether the administration of LPEMFs inhibits inflammation and oxidative stress following spinal cord injury requires further investigation. In the current study, a contusion spinal cord injury model was used and LPEMFs administration was applied to investigate the molecular changes, including inflammation, oxidative stress and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) levels. The results revealed that LPEMFs significantly promoted functional recovery following spinal cord injury, as demonstrated by an increased Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan score. The results demonstrated that LPEMFs decreased the expression of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor­α, interleukin­1ß and nuclear factor­κB. Additionally, LPEMFs exposure reduced the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and reactive oxygen species, and upregulated the expression of catalase and superoxide dismutase. Furthermore, treatment with LPEMFs significantly enhanced the expression of HSP70 in spinal cord­injured rats. Overall, the present study revealed that LPEMFs promote functional recovery following spinal cord injury, potentially by modulating inflammation, oxidative stress and HSP70.

Moxibustion Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To determine whether the administration of moxibustion is an effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis (KOA).We conducted a search of relevant articles using Medline, EMBASE, the Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library published before October 2015. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities' Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC scale) and the short form 36 questionnaire (SF-36 scale) were assessed. Evidence grading was evaluated according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system.Four studies containing 746 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria in the final analysis. In terms of quality of life (QOL), the meta-analysis of 2 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) showed significantly effects of moxibustion only in bodily pain (BP) compared with those in the control group (n = 348; weighted mean difference [WMD], 4.36; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 2.27-6.44; P < 0.0001; heterogeneity: χ = 1.53, P = 0.22, I = 34%) in all of the subcategories of the SF-36 scale, with moderate quality. The meta-analysis of the 2 included trials showed that there was not a statistically significant difference in the pain or function subscale for the WOMAC scale when the 2 groups were compared (n = 322; WMD, 17.63; 95% CI, -23.15-58.41; P = 0.40; heterogeneity: χ = 19.42, P < 0.0001, I = 95%), with low or moderate quality separately.The administration of moxibustion can to some extent alleviate the symptoms of KOA. More rigorous, randomized controlled trials are required in the future.