Bisphosphonate use in children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a heterogeneous group of non-progressive disorders of posture or movement, caused by a lesion of the developing brain. Osteoporosis is common in children with cerebral palsy, particularly in children with reduced gross motor function, and leads to an increased risk of fractures. Gross motor function in children with CP can be categorised using a tool called the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Bisphosphonate increases bone mineral density (BMD) and reduces fracture rates. Bisphosphonate is used widely in the treatment of adult osteoporosis. However, the use of bisphosphonate in children with CP remains controversial, due to a paucity of evidence and a lack of recent trials examining the efficacy and safety of bisphosphonate use in this population. OBJECTIVES: To examine the efficacy and safety of bisphosphonate therapy in the treatment of low BMD or secondary osteoporosis (or both) in children with cerebral palsy (GMFCS Levels III to V) who are under 18 years of age. SEARCH METHODS: In September 2020, we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, six other databases, and two trial registers for relevant studies. We also searched the reference lists of relevant systematic reviews, trials, and case studies identified by the search, and contacted the authors of relevant studies in an attempt to identify unpublished literature. SELECTION CRITERIA: All relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and quasi-RCTs, comparing at least one bisphosphonate (given at any dose, orally or intravenously) with placebo or no drug, for the treatment of low BMD or osteoporosis in children up to 18 years old, with cerebral palsy (GMFCS Levels III to V). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We were unable to conduct any meta-analyses due to insufficient data, and therefore provide a narrative assessment of the results. MAIN RESULTS: We found two relevant RCTs (34 participants). Both studies included participants with non-ambulatory CP or CP and osteoporosis. Participants in both studies were similar in severity of CP, age distribution, and sex distribution. The two trials used different bisphosphonate medications and different intervention durations, but further comparison of the interventions was not possible due to a lack of published data from one trial. One trial received funding and support from research, academic, and hospital foundations, with pharmaceutical companies providing components of the calcium and vitamin supplement; the other trial did not report sources of funding. We judged one study at an overall high risk of bias; the other as overall unclear risk of bias. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Compared to placebo or no treatment, both studies provided very low certainty evidence of improved BMD at least four months post-intervention in children treated with bisphosphonate. Only one study (12 participants) provided sufficient detail to assess a measure of the effect, and reported an improvement at six months post-intervention in lumbar spine z-score (mean difference (MD) 18%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.57 to 29.43; very low certainty evidence). SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Very low certainty evidence from one study found that bisphosphonate reduced serum N-telopeptides (NTX) more than placebo; the other study reported that both bisphosphonate plus alfacalcidol and alfacalcidol alone reduced NTX, but did not compare groups. One study reported inconclusive results between groups for serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP). The other study reported that both bisphosphonate plus alfacalcidol and alfacalcidol alone reduced BAP, but did not compare groups. Neither study reported data for the effect of bisphosphonate treatment on changes in volumetric BMD in the distal radius or tibia, changes in fracture frequency, bone pain, or quality of life. One study reported that two participants had febrile events noted during their first dosing schedule, but no further adverse events were reported in either relevant study. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Based on the available evidence, there is very low certainty evidence that bisphosphonate treatment may improve bone health in children with cerebral palsy. We could only include one study with 14 participants in the assessment of the effect size; therefore, the precision of the effect estimate is low. We could only evaluate one planned primary outcome, as there was insufficient detail reported in the relevant studies. Further research from RCTs on the effect and safety of bisphosphonate to improve bone health in children with cerebral palsy is required. These studies should clarify the optimal standard treatment regarding weight-bearing exercises, vitamin D and calcium supplementation, and should include fracture frequency as a primary outcome.

An easy way to determine bone mineral density and predict pelvic insufficiency fractures in patients treated with radiotherapy for cervical cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether bone mineral density (BMD) as measured in planning computed tomographies (CTs) by a new method is a risk factor for pelvic insufficiency fractures (PIF) after radio(chemo)therapy (R(C)T) for cervical cancer. METHODS: 62 patients with cervical cancer who received definitive or adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy between 2013 and 2017 were reviewed. The PIF were detected on follow-up magntic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI of the PIF patients was registered to the planning CT and the PIF contoured. On the contralateral side of the fracture, a mirrored structure of the fracture was generated (mPIF). For the whole sacral bone, three lumbar vertebrae, the first and second sacral vertebrae, and the PIF, we analyzed the BMD (mg/cm3), V50Gy, Dmean, and Dmax. RESULTS: Out of 62 patients, 6 (9.7%) had a fracture. Two out of the 6 patients had a bilateral fracture with only one of them being symptomatic. PIF patients showed a significantly lower BMD in the sacral and the lumbar vertebrae (p < 0.05). The BMD of the contoured PIF, however, when comparing to the mPIF, did not reach significance (p < 0.49). The difference of the V50Gy of the sacrum in the PIF group compared to the other (OTH) patients, i.e. those without PIF, did not reach significance. CONCLUSION: The dose does not seem to have a relevant impact on the incidence of PIF in our patients. One of the predisposing factors for developing PIF after radiotherapy seems to be the low BMD. We presented an easy method to assess the BMD in planning CTs.

Role of Vitamin C in Osteoporosis Development and Treatment-A Literature Review.

Osteoporosis and associated low energy fractures are a significant clinical problem, especially in the elderly population. The occurrence of a hip fracture is associated with significant mortality and a high risk of disability. For this, apart from the treatment of osteoporosis, effective prevention of both the development of the disease and related fractures is extremely important. One aspect of osteoporosis prevention is proper dietary calcium intake and normal vitamin D3 levels. However, there is some evidence for a potential role of vitamin C in osteoporosis and fracture prevention, too. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge about the role of vitamin C in osteoporosis development, prevention and treatment. The PubMed/Medline search on the role of vitamin C in bone metabolism database was performed for articles between 2000 and May 2020. Reports from in vitro and animal studies seem promising. Epidemiological studies also indicate the positive effect of high vitamin C content in the daily diet on bone mineral density. Despite promising observations, there are still few observational and intervention studies and their results do not allow for unequivocal determination of the benefits of high daily intake of vitamin C or its long-term supplementation.

Interventional radiology for treatment of bone metastases.

Therapeutic advances in oncology have led to longer survival in many forms of cancer, including those complicated by bone metastases. When a bone metastasis is painful or when there is a risk of fracture, interventional radiology procedures can be carried out for pain control and/or stabilisation. All of these techniques can be performed under local anaesthesia. Cementoplasty and vertebroplasty are stabilisation procedures consisting in the percutaneous injection of acrylic cement into a lytic bone lesion. The effect on pain can be explained by the consolidation of weakened, fractured or pre-fractured bone, but also to a lesser extent by the toxic, chemical and thermal effect of the cement. Tumour ablation techniques include alcoholisation or thermal ablation (by heat with radiofrequency and microwave or cold by cryoablation). Percutaneous thermal ablation of bone tumours is most often performed as a palliative measure resulting in a significant and lasting reduction in symptoms. Radiofrequency ablation consists in placing needles through which an electrical current passes. Microwave ablation acts by causing very high frequency vibrations of water molecules. Cryoablation releases argon gas at the tip of the needle, forming an "ice ball" effectively destroying tumour cells. Any of these techniques can be combined to radiation therapy, performed before or after radiation. Finally, tumour embolisation can have a goal of pain control, or preparation of surgery to reduce the risk of peroperative haemorrhage.

Intervention for Increasing Vitamin D Supplementation in a Deficient Rehabilitation Population: Outcomes of a Quality Improvement Initiative.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is highly prevalent and increases the risk of osteoporosis, falls, and fractures. Patients in acute inpatient rehabilitation have several risk factors for VDD, the adverse effects of which may hinder long-term functional gain. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for VDD in patients admitted to acute inpatient rehabilitation and to evaluate the efficacy of a standardized vitamin D screening and supplementation protocol. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study as part of a quality improvement initiative. SETTING: An academic, freestanding acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients consecutively admitted over a 4-month period between November 2014 and February 2015 (n=128 pre-intervention and n=129 post-intervention). INTERVENTION: Universal screening of vitamin D level on admission followed by utilization of a standard supplementation protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) and VDD prevalence along with screening, and supplementation rates. RESULTS: Preintervention, 10.2% of patients were screened for VDD, with 23.1% VDI and 46.2% VDD. Postintervention, 89.9% were screened, with 31.9% VDI and 47.4% VDD. 6.3% of all patients were supplemented on vitamin D preintervention compared to 53.5% postintervention. In multivariate analyses, the odds of VDD was significantly associated with African American race (OR 7.30, 95% CI, 1.56-34.20, P = .12) and age younger than 65 (OR 13.62 95% CI, 2.51-73.83, P = .002). Diagnoses in the "other neurologic" category were associated with decreased odds of VDD (OR 0.01, 95% CI, 0.001-0.193, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Given the high prevalence of VDD in an acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital, a routine screening and standardized supplementation protocol may improve quality of care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

[CKD-MBD in Peritoneal Dialysis].

CKD-MBD is a systemic disorder of the mineral and bone metabolism as a result of CKD. The clinical relevance of this syndrome has led to the identification of the biochemical targets to be achieved in order to improve the outcome of the patient. However, in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (DP) patients, these targets are not reached. Hyperphosphatemia is a predictor of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. In DP the removal of phosphorus (P) occurs by diffusion and convection, with a contribution of ultrafiltration of about 11%. P clearance is time dependent, with differences between CAPD and APD and depending on membrane transport characteristics. Residual renal function plays a key role in the P balance. Calcium (Ca) clearance in PD depends on the calcium levels, calcium concentration in dialysate and ultrafiltration. Positive Ca balance brings to Adynamic Bone Disease. Several bone-derived substances, some of them with hormonal action, have shed new light on the bone- cardiac axis. The hormonal functions of bone are likely to be related to histological lesions that develop during chronic renal failure. Compared to the past, recent data show less obvious differences in bone histomorphometry parameters between HD patients and PD patients. However, in PD patients fewer fractures are reported, probably due to different bone quality.

[Change of paradigm in the surgical treatment of metastatic diseases of bone. Part I. Bony metastases of the extremities and pelvis]. / Paradigmaváltás a csontmetasztázisok sebészetében. I. Végtagi és medencelokalizációjú áttétek.

According to the statistical data of tumor registries the incidence of cancer has increased in the last decade, however the mortality shows only a slight change due to the new and effective multimodal treatments. The aim of our overview article is to present the changes in the survival of the metastatic patients, and to demonstrate which factors influence their prognosis. The improvement of survival resulted in a more active surgical role both in metastases of the bone of the extremities and the pelvis. We present a diagnostic flow chart and current options for the reconstruction of the different regions of the bone and skeleton, and we will discuss their potential advantages, disadvantages and complications. It is evident that apart from the impending and pathological fracture surgery it is not the first choice of treatment but rather a palliative measure. The aim of surgery is to alleviate pain, to regain mobility and improve quality of life. If possible minimal invasive techniques are performed, as they are less demanding and allow fast rehabilitation for the patient, and they are solutions that last for a lifetime. In optimal conditions radical curative surgery can be performed in about 10 to 15 per cent of the cases, and better survival is encouraging. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(40): 1563-1569.

Osteomalacia with low alkaline phosphatase: a not so rare condition with important consequences.

Hypophosphatasia is a genetic disorder, characterised by a dysfunctional tissue-non-specific isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase that impacts bone metabolism and predisposes to osteomalacia or rickets. The clinical presentation is very diverse, depending on the age of onset and the severity of the disease. Several forms of hypophosphatasia are recognised. We present a case of a 50-year-old woman with low impact fractures and loss of teeth at a young age. She also had a low alkaline phosphatase and was diagnosed with adult hypophosphatasia. Although the severe forms of hypophosphatasia are rather rare, the adult form is thought to occur quite frequently. As this condition is not well known by healthcare professionals, the time to diagnosis and initiation of adequate treatment is often postponed. When encountering a patient with low alkaline phosphatase, low bone density or a history of bone fractures, the possibility of hypophosphatasia should be considered.

Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral Bone Disorder in the Elderly Peritoneal Dialysis Patient.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper was to review the literature concerning the treatment of chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) in the elderly peritoneal dialysis (PD) patient. RESULTS: Chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder is a major problem in the elderly PD patient, with its associated increased fracture risk, vascular calcification, and accelerated mortality fracture risk. Peritoneal dialysis, however, bears a lower risk than hemodialysis (HD). The approach to CKD-MBD prophylaxis and treatment in the elderly PD patient is similar to other CKD patients, with some important differences. Avoidance of hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hyperparathyroidism is important, as in other CKD groups, and is generally easier to attain. Calcium-free phosphate binders are recommended for normocalcemic and hypercalcemic patients. Normalization of vitamin D levels to > 75 nmol/L (> 30 pg/L) and low-dose active vitamin D therapy is recommended for all patients. Hyperparathryoidism is to be avoided by using active vitamin D and cinacalcet. Particular attention should be paid to treating protein malnutrition. Fracture prophylaxis (exercise, use of walkers, dwelling modifications) are important. Hypomagnesemia is common in PD and can be treated with magnesium supplements. Vitamin K deficiency is also common and has been identified as a cause of vascular calcification. Accordingly, warfarin treatment for this age group is problematic. CONCLUSION: While treatment principles are similar to other dialysis patient groups, physicians should be aware of the special problems of the elderly group.

[Bone and Nutrition. The association of vitamin K intake and bone health].

The association of vitamin K with bone mineral density has been reported in some previous cohort studies and intervention studies. In cohort studies, higher vitamin K1 intake was associated with lower fracture incidence. Some intervention studies have described that vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 (menaquinone-4 : MK-4) supplementation were modestly efficacious in preventing fracture, but not in preserving bone mass. Although dietary reference intake (adequate intake : AI) for vitamin K was increased from previous value, current AI was determined as the dose sufficient to maintain normal blood coagulation with little mentioning to bone. Vitamin K intake greater than the current AI would be required for the bone health.

[Bone and Nutrition. Effect of isoflavones on bone health].

Effects of isoflavones on bone health in postmenopausal women are expected, since it shows weak estrogenic activity. In the observational study in Asia, association between intake of soy foods or isoflavone and bone mineral density and fracture prevention has been observed. In the meta-analysis of intervention trials of isoflavone in 60 years or less of postmenopausal women, 75 mg by day about 6 months to 1 year intervention of isoflavones induced suppression of significant decline of bone resorption markers in the urine was observed. On the other hand, intended for Westerners women in the study intervened isoflavones with calcium and vitamin D simultaneously, it is not observed effectiveness of isoflavones on the bone. Such a difference might be due to diversity in the individual metabolic capacity for isoflavones as well as the effects of presence or absence of other co-interventions nutrients.

[Update of recommendations for evaluation and treatment of osteoporosis associated to endocrine and nutritional conditions. Working Group on Osteoporosis and Mineral Metabolism of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology]. / Actualización de las recomendaciones para la evaluación y tratamiento de la osteoporosis asociada a enfermedades endocrinas y nutricionales. Grupo de trabajo de osteoporosis y metabolismo mineral de la SEEN.

OBJECTIVE: To update previous recommendations developed by the Working Group on Osteoporosis and Mineral Metabolism of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition for the evaluation and treatment of osteoporosis associated to different endocrine and nutritional diseases. PARTICIPANTS: Members of the Working Group on Osteoporosis and Mineral Metabolism of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition. METHODS: Recommendations were formulated according to the GRADE system (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) to describe both the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence. A systematic search was made in MEDLINE (Pubmed) using the following terms associated to the name of each condition: AND "osteoporosis", "fractures", "bone mineral density", and "treatment". Papers in English with publication date between 18 October 2011 and 30 October 2014 were included. The recommendations were discussed and approved by all members of the Working Group. CONCLUSIONS: This update summarizes the new data regarding evaluation and treatment of osteoporosis associated to endocrine and nutritional conditions.

Management of bone loss in postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with aromatase inhibitors.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, but despite survival rates improvement, it is still the second major cause of cancer related death. In postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor (ER) dependent breast cancer, hormone therapy is an option, either by direct inhibition of ER using tamoxifen or by aromatase inhibition, resulting in decreased estrogen production. In this paper these two endocrine therapy approaches are compared in terms of their impact on bone health. Guidance for the prevention of bone loss and occurrence of fractures in postmenopausal women receiving AIs is also proposed. Despite intervention strategies to maintain bone health in AI-treated patients are not well established, recommendations by international societies to identify women with high risk of fracture and advice on the preventive anti-fracture therapy are exposed. Finally, available therapeutic options for management of bone loss in patients receiving AIs are presented. The search strategy for this literature review was conducted by using the key words "aromatase inhibitor*" and "bone loss" OR "aromatase inhibitor*" and "osteoporosis" in the MEDLINE/PubMed database. Nowadays, hormone-responsive breast cancer in postmenopausal women is preferably being treated with AIs instead of tamoxifen, due to clear benefits in disease-free survival and reduced recurrence. AIs have an advantageous side effect profile compared to tamoxifen, however all AIs have detrimental long-term effects on bone, due to nearly complete depletion of estrogens, resulting in increased bone loss and increased risk of fracture. Current recommendations state that all women treated with AIs should be evaluated for their fracture risk prior to initiation of AI-treatment, taking in consideration individual bone mineral density and several risk factors. The thresholds to introduce preventive therapy and drugs proposed differ among the available recommendations. Lifestyle modifications and adequate calcium and vitamin D supplementation have been documented to have good impact in long-term bone health. Additionally, bisphosphonates are the first therapeutic option for AI induced bone loss and should be continued as long as AI-treatment is maintained, being iv zoledronic acid 4 mg every 6 months the best tolerated option.

Investigating a potential biological treatment to prevent pathological fractures caused by unicameral bone cysts in children under 8 years.

INTRODUCTION: There is no consensus on when and how to treat unicameral bone cysts (UBCs), partly because of a lack of knowledge of the aetiology. PURPOSE: To review the different treatment techniques for UBCs and to describe our results with a single injection of autogenous bone marrow (BM) mixed with demineralised bone matrix (DBM) in very young children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed five patients under the age of 8 years with UBCs treated by percutaneous aspiration and a single injection of BM associated with DBM. The cyst was located in the proximal humerus in four patients and in the proximal femur in one patient. Assessment of the need for surgery was based on the clinical and radiographic suspicion of new pathological fractures. The administration of a second injection, when necessary, was based on the surgeon's judgement regarding the risk of fracture. The mean follow-up after first injection was 41 months. RESULTS: There were no complications related to the procedure, except a non-displaced fracture, which healed without problems. All patients were pain free and progressively resumed their activities without restriction until a new fracture occurred in two cases. According to Capanna's classification, only one case healed completely (grade 1), one lesion was classified as grade 2, and there were three recurrences at 11, 12 and 27 months after initial treatment (grade 3). The final outcome was treatment failure for three out of the five patients. Two patients were treated with a second injection and one patient is waiting for surgery. CONCLUSION: A single injection of aspirated autogenous BM mixed with DBM in very young children with active UBCs at risk of fracture is very simple, comfortable and safe. Nevertheless, the results seem to be unpredictable and are probably more dependent on the natural evolution of the cyst than on the treatment. Further comparative studies with larger sample numbers are needed.

Vitamin D and vitamin D analogues for preventing fractures in post-menopausal women and older men.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D and related compounds have been used to prevent osteoporotic fractures in older people. This is the third update of a Cochrane review first published in 1996. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of vitamin D or related compounds, with or without calcium, for preventing fractures in post-menopausal women and older men. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised Register (to December 2012), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2012, Issue 12), MEDLINE (1966 to November Week 3 2012), EMBASE (1980 to 2012 Week 50), CINAHL (1982 to December 2012), BIOSIS (1985 to 3 January 2013), Current Controlled Trials (December 2012) and reference lists of articles. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised or quasi-randomised trials that compared vitamin D or related compounds, alone or with calcium, against placebo, no intervention or calcium alone, and that reported fracture outcomes in older people. The primary outcome was hip fracture. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed trial risk of selection bias and aspects of methodological quality, and extracted data. Data were pooled, where possible, using the fixed-effect model, or the random-effects model when heterogeneity between studies appeared substantial. MAIN RESULTS: We included 53 trials with a total of 91,791 participants. Thirty-one trials, with sample sizes ranging from 70 to 36,282 participants, examined vitamin D (including 25-hydroxy vitamin D) with or without calcium in the prevention of fractures in community, nursing home or hospital inpatient populations. Twelve of these 31 trials had participants with a mean or median age of 80 years or over.Another group of 22 smaller trials examined calcitriol or alfacalcidol (1-alphahydroxyvitamin D3), mostly with participants who had established osteoporosis. These trials were carried out in the setting of institutional referral clinics or hospitals.In the assessment of risk of bias for random sequence generation, 21 trials (40%) were deemed to be at low risk, 28 trials (53%) at unclear risk and four trials at high risk (8%). For allocation concealment, 22 trials were at low risk (42%), 29 trials were at unclear risk (55%) and two trials were at high risk (4%).There is high quality evidence that vitamin D alone, in the formats and doses tested, is unlikely to be effective in preventing hip fracture (11 trials, 27,693 participants; risk ratio (RR) 1.12, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.98 to 1.29) or any new fracture (15 trials, 28,271 participants; RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.11).There is high quality evidence that vitamin D plus calcium results in a small reduction in hip fracture risk (nine trials, 49,853 participants; RR 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74 to 0.96; P value 0.01). In low-risk populations (residents in the community: with an estimated eight hip fractures per 1000 per year), this equates to one fewer hip fracture per 1000 older adults per year (95% CI 0 to 2). In high risk populations (residents in institutions: with an estimated 54 hip fractures per 1000 per year), this equates to nine fewer hip fractures per 1000 older adults per year (95% CI 2 to 14). There is high quality evidence that vitamin D plus calcium is associated with a statistically significant reduction in incidence of new non-vertebral fractures. However, there is only moderate quality evidence of an absence of a statistically significant preventive effect on clinical vertebral fractures. There is high quality evidence that vitamin D plus calcium reduces the risk of any type of fracture (10 trials, 49,976 participants; RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.90 to 0.99).In terms of the results for adverse effects: mortality was not adversely affected by either vitamin D or vitamin D plus calcium supplementation (29 trials, 71,032 participants, RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.01). Hypercalcaemia, which was usually mild (2.6 to 2.8 mmol/L), was more common in people receiving vitamin D or an analogue, with or without calcium (21 trials, 17,124 participants, RR 2.28, 95% CI 1.57 to 3.31), especially for calcitriol (four trials, 988 participants, RR 4.41, 95% CI 2.14 to 9.09), than in people receiving placebo or control. There was also a small increased risk of gastrointestinal symptoms (15 trials, 47,761 participants, RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.08), especially for calcium plus vitamin D (four trials, 40,524 participants, RR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.09), and a significant increase in renal disease (11 trials, 46,548 participants, RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.33). Other systematic reviews have found an increased association of myocardial infarction with supplemental calcium; and evidence of increased myocardial infarction and stroke, but decreased cancer, with supplemental calcium plus vitamin D, without an overall effect on mortality. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D alone is unlikely to prevent fractures in the doses and formulations tested so far in older people. Supplements of vitamin D and calcium may prevent hip or any type of fracture. There was a small but significant increase in gastrointestinal symptoms and renal disease associated with vitamin D and calcium. This review found that there was no increased risk of death from taking calcium and vitamin D.

Recognition and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a common but often silent condition among older adults. The characteristic pathological changes associated with osteoporosis may go unnoticed until a fracture occurs or a bone density test is performed. Although osteoporosis occurs in men and among premenopausal women, it is most prevalent among postmenopausal women who are the focus of this article. Within the subpopulation of postmenopausal women, there are major differences in risk status, disease severity, and response to treatment. Two individual examples are presented to highlight these differences and to illustrate appropriate assessment and treatment strategies in each scenario. In addition, general nonpharmacological recommendations for postmenopausal women across risk status and disease severity are presented.

[Degenerative osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and fractures: controversies and evidences]. / Artrosis, osteoporosis y fracturas: controversias y evidencias.

Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are both common conditions in the elderly but their association has long remained obscure. Recently published studies show that patients with osteoarthritis have higher bone mass but no corresponding decrease in fracture risk. This has been proposed to be due to an increased rate of falls in these patients. Multi-disciplinary interventions, vitamin D supplementation and bisphosphonates can play a role on preventing fractures among osteoarthritis patients, but evidence on their efficacy is scarce and of poor quality.

Bisphophonates in CKD patients with low bone mineral density.

Patients with chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) have a high risk of bone fracture because of low bone mineral density and poor bone quality. Osteoporosis also features low bone mass, disarranged microarchitecture, and skeletal fragility, and differentiating between osteoporosis and CKD-MBD in low bone mineral density is a challenge and usually achieved by bone biopsy. Bisphosphonates can be safe and beneficial for patients with a glomerular filtration rate of 30 mL/min or higher, but prescribing bisphosphonates in advanced CKD requires caution because of the increased possibility of low bone turnover disorders such as osteomalacia, mixed uremic osteodystrophy, and adynamic bone, even aggravating hyperparathyroidism. Therefore, bone biopsy in advanced CKD is an important consideration before prescribing bisphosphonates. Treatment also may induce hypocalcemia in CKD patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism, but vitamin D supplementation may ameliorate this effect. Bisphosphonate treatment can improve both bone mineral density and vascular calcification, but the latter becomes more unlikely in patients with stage 3-4 CKD with vascular calcification but no decreased bone mineral density. Using bisphosphonates requires considerable caution in advanced CKD, and the lack of adequate clinical investigation necessitates more studies regarding its effects on these patients.

[Kidney and bone update : the 5-year history and future of CKD-MBD. Bone fragility in the aged hemodialysis patients].

Osteoporosis, as well as renal osteodystrophy, is a skeletal disorder predisposing to an increased risk of fracture. Although some medications to CKD-MBD prevent fragility fracture, the incidence of the fracture will increase according to the aging of the patients on maintenance hemodialysis.