Karate Training Improves Skeletal Status Assessed by Quantitative Ultrasound in Girls and Premenopausal Women.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of regular karate training on the skeletal status evaluated by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in females. METHODS: A group of 132 karate training girls and women at mean age 19.57 (standard deviation [SD] 7.64) yr (range 7.3-45.3 yr) and 322 age-, sex- and body size-matched controls were enrolled into the study. Mean training duration in the karate group was 7.52 (SD 5.05) yr and mean training frequency was 2.97 (SD 1.21) per wk. The QUS measurements were performed at hand proximal phalanges, using a DBM Sonic 1200 (IGEA, Carpi, Italy) sonographic device, which measures amplitude-dependent speed of sound (Ad-SoS [m/s]). RESULTS: The results of Ad-SoS obtained in karatekas were generally higher than in controls with significant difference for prepubertal girls (1966.2 [SD 46.2] vs 1942.7 [SD 38.4]; p < 0.05) and for adult women (2124.4 [SD 48.0] vs 2105.3 [SD 54.0]; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Regular karate training is a factor that is positively associated with results of the QUS measurements at hand phalanges in exercising females and its impact is most strongly pronounced in prepuberty and adulthood.

Effects of Short-Term Calcium Supplementation in Children and Adolescents with Phenylketonuria.

Reduction of bone mineral density and the risk of osteopenia have been reported to occur in phenylketonuria (PKU) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of calcium supplementation in phenylketonuric children and adolescents. The study included 18 patients with PKU aged 5-18 yr (61% male) under clinical and nutritional treatment. Evaluation of food intake, anthropometry, and biochemical and phalangeal quantitative ultrasound were performed before (phase 1) and after (phase 2) calcium supplementation (1000 mg/d) for 34 d. Statistical analysis was performed using t test for paired samples, Wilcoxon's test, and McNemar's test (p <0.05). There was an inadequate intake of phosphorus and vitamin D, the same occurring with serum concentrations of these nutrients. About 50% of the patients had an accumulation of adipose tissue measures, with a negative correlation between Z-score, body mass index, and phalangeal quantitative ultrasound (amplitude-dependent speed of sound [AD-SoS]). There was a significant difference in urinary phosphorus excretion with higher values before supplementation. Comparison of the two phases revealed significantly higher AD-SoS values after the supplementation (p = 0.017). The reduction in phosphorus excretion associated with increased AD-SoS between the two phases suggested increased bone formation, and showed no negative effects in relation to short-term calcium supplementation in children and in adolescents with PKU.

Massa óssea por ultrassonografia quantitativa de falanges em jovens praticantes de karatê / Bone mass by quantitative ultrasound of finger phalanges in young karate practitioners

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a massa óssea pela ultrassonografia quantitativa de falanges em jovens praticantes de karatê em relação a um grupo controle. Métodos: Amostra constituída por 162 praticantes de karatê (52 meninas) e 326 controles escolares (110 meninas) saudáveis, de 6 a 16 anos de idade, do oeste do Paraná. Foram avaliados peso, estatura, índice de massa corporal (IMC), Amplitude Dependent Speed of Sound (AD-SoS) e Bone Time Transmission (BTT), e os valores de IMC, AD-SoS e BTT transformados em escore Z. Aplicaram-se testes de Mann-Whitney, qui-quadrado ou Exato de Fisher e regressão linear múltipla, sendo significante p≤0,05. Resultados: Para ambos os sexos, os praticantes de karatê apresentaram valores superiores do escore Z do BTT comparados aos controles. Quanto à AD-SoS, as meninas do grupo de controle apresentaram valor absoluto e de escore Z superiores aos apresentados pelas praticantes de karatê do mesmo sexo. Ao avaliar a frequência relativa e absoluta de acordo com o escore Z do BTT em ambos os grupos, os meninos praticantes de karatê apresentaram maior frequência de massa óssea adequada. Nas meninas praticantes de karatê, a idade apresentou poder de explicação de 42% na variação da AD-SoS e o peso de 45% na variação do BTT. Nos meninos praticantes de karatê, a idade apresentou poder de explicação de 26% na variação da AD-SoS e a estatura 36% na variação do BTT. Conclusões: Nesse grupo de crianças e adolescentes, independentemente do sexo, os praticantes de karatê apresentaram maior massa óssea em relação ao grupo controle, sendo o BTT mais sensível para essa avaliação.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate bone mass by quantitative ultrasound of the phalanges in young karate practitioners compared to a control group. Methods: Sample composed of 162 karate practitioners (52 females) and 326 healthy controls (110 females) aged 6 to 16 years old, in Western Paraná (Southern Brazil). Weight, height, BMI, amplitude-dependent speed of sound (AD-SoS) and bone transmission time (BTT) were evaluated. BMI, AD-SoS and BTT values were converted to Z scores. Mann-Whitney, chi-square or Fisher Exact tests and multiple linear regression were applied, with significance level set at p≤0.05. Results: Both genders showed higher values of BTT as Z scores when compared to control group. Females from the control group had higher AD-SoS values (m/s and Z score) compared to female karate practitioners. When relative and absolute frequencies were assessed according to BTT Z score in both groups, male karate practitioners' bone mass was shown to be adequate more frequently. In female practitioners, age and weight were independent predictors of AD-SoS (R2=0.42) and BTT (R2=0.45), respectively. Among male karate practitioners, age was related to 26% of AD-SoS variances and height was responsible for 36% of BTT variances. Conclusions: Children and adolescents who practice karate were shown to have more bone mass in comparison to the control group, regardless of gender. BTT was more sensitive for this evaluation.

The epidemiology of tuberculous dactylitis: A case report and review of literature.

The literature on tuberculous dactylitis is poor, and most literature consists of isolated case reports. The aim of this case series is to study the particularities and the epidemiological aspects of tuberculous dactylitis in Tunisian patients. Google and Medline search was done using key words "tuberculous dactylitis" and "spina ventosa." Only Tunisian reports in adult patients were included. Eleven cases including this mentioned case were included in this review. There was a female predominance, high frequency of trauma before disease installation, rarity of predisposing factors, and less inflammation in blood tests when comparing with other cases in literature.

BONE MASS BY QUANTITATIVE ULTRASOUND OF FINGER PHALANGES IN YOUNG KARATE PRACTITIONERS. / MASSA ÓSSEA POR ULTRASSONOGRAFIA QUANTITATIVA DE FALANGES EM JOVENS PRATICANTES DE KARATÊ.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bone mass by quantitative ultrasound of the phalanges in young karate practitioners compared to a control group. METHODS: Sample composed of 162 karate practitioners (52 females) and 326 healthy controls (110 females) aged 6 to 16 years old, in Western Paraná (Southern Brazil). Weight, height, BMI, amplitude-dependent speed of sound (AD-SoS) and bone transmission time (BTT) were evaluated. BMI, AD-SoS and BTT values were converted to Z scores. Mann-Whitney, chi-square or Fisher Exact tests and multiple linear regression were applied, with significance level set at p≤0.05. RESULTS: Both genders showed higher values of BTT as Z scores when compared to control group. Females from the control group had higher AD-SoS values (m/s and Z score) compared to female karate practitioners. When relative and absolute frequencies were assessed according to BTT Z score in both groups, male karate practitioners' bone mass was shown to be adequate more frequently. In female practitioners, age and weight were independent predictors of AD-SoS (R2=0.42) and BTT (R2=0.45), respectively. Among male karate practitioners, age was related to 26% of AD-SoS variances and height was responsible for 36% of BTT variances. CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents who practice karate were shown to have more bone mass in comparison to the control group, regardless of gender. BTT was more sensitive for this evaluation.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a massa óssea pela ultrassonografia quantitativa de falanges em jovens praticantes de karatê em relação a um grupo controle. MÉTODOS: Amostra constituída por 162 praticantes de karatê (52 meninas) e 326 controles escolares (110 meninas) saudáveis, de 6 a 16 anos de idade, do oeste do Paraná. Foram avaliados peso, estatura, índice de massa corporal (IMC), Amplitude Dependent Speed of Sound (AD-SoS) e Bone Time Transmission (BTT), e os valores de IMC, AD-SoS e BTT transformados em escore Z. Aplicaram-se testes de Mann-Whitney, qui-quadrado ou Exato de Fisher e regressão linear múltipla, sendo significante p≤0,05. RESULTADOS: Para ambos os sexos, os praticantes de karatê apresentaram valores superiores do escore Z do BTT comparados aos controles. Quanto à AD-SoS, as meninas do grupo de controle apresentaram valor absoluto e de escore Z superiores aos apresentados pelas praticantes de karatê do mesmo sexo. Ao avaliar a frequência relativa e absoluta de acordo com o escore Z do BTT em ambos os grupos, os meninos praticantes de karatê apresentaram maior frequência de massa óssea adequada. Nas meninas praticantes de karatê, a idade apresentou poder de explicação de 42% na variação da AD-SoS e o peso de 45% na variação do BTT. Nos meninos praticantes de karatê, a idade apresentou poder de explicação de 26% na variação da AD-SoS e a estatura 36% na variação do BTT. CONCLUSÕES: Nesse grupo de crianças e adolescentes, independentemente do sexo, os praticantes de karatê apresentaram maior massa óssea em relação ao grupo controle, sendo o BTT mais sensível para essa avaliação.

[Preliminary comparison between phalangeal quantitative ultrassonography and bone densitometry for bone mass evaluation in adolescents]. / Comparação preliminar entre ultrassonografia quantitativa de falanges e densitometria óssea na avaliação da massa óssea em adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between quantitative ultrasonography at hand phalanges (QUS) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and between these methods with food intake and history of bone fractures. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: After two years of follow up of 270 schoolchildren, 10 of them, who showed bone mass below - 2 SD in QUS, were included in the present study. Laboratory results and DXA data were analyzed. RESULTS: Bone mass evaluated by DXA at L1-L4 ranged from -2.8 to -1.1 SDS, and whole body bone mass, from -2.9 to -1.2 SDS. Three children had history of non-pathological bone fractures. Dietary assessment showed low intake of calcium in 10 cases, of phosphorus in 6, and of vitamin D in 8 cases. There were no differences among the cases of bone mass below-2 SD in any of the three used methods. There was no association between history of bone fractures and food intake, and between these evaluations and bone mass. CONCLUSION: In this small group of schoolchildren there was an association between the methods QUS and DXA. However, there was no association between bone mass and the history of bone fractures, or calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D intake.

Skeletal status assessed by quantitative ultrasound at the hand phalanges in karate training males.

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of regularly exercised karate on the skeletal status. The study comprised a group of 226 males (the mean age: 25.64 ± 12.3 years, range 7-61 years), exercising for 61.9 ± 68.4 months, with the mean frequency of 3.12 ± 1.4 times per week, and 502 controls, matched for age and body size. The skeletal status was assessed by quantitative ultrasound, using a DBM Sonic 1200 (IGEA, Italy) sonographic device, which measures amplitude-dependent speed of sound (Ad-SoS [m/s]) at hand phalanges. Ad-SoS, T-score, Z-score were significantly higher in the examined karatekas than in controls. Up to age 18, there had been no difference between the study subjects and controls, while afterwards, up to age 35, the difference increased to stabilize again after age 35. Longer duration, higher frequency and earlier start of physical training positively influenced the skeletal status. In conclusion, karate is a sport with a positive influence on the skeletal status with the most significant benefits occurring in adults.

Osteochondroma of the phalanx: a late Roman case.

Accounting for 20-50% of all benign forms, solitary osteochondromae are the most common kind of bone tumour. The long bones of the lower extremity are the most frequently affected; the small bones of the hands and feet, the pelvis, the scapula, and the spine are less usual locations. This paper describes an osteochondroma in a proximal phalanx of the hand of a female aged between 17 and 25 years buried in a Late Roman necropolis from SE Spain. The bone displayed a solitary osteochondroma, which was confirmed by macroscopic and radiographic examination. This is the first palaeopathological example of a solitary sessile osteochondroma of the hand.