Quantitative ultrasound of bone in male osteoporosis.

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurement, a different approach to bone fragility assessment, has already been attempted in women with osteoporosis but rarely in men. In order to test its value and ability to identify osteoporotic men, a case-control prospective study was conducted using the Lunar Achilles, a device that measures attenuation and velocity parameters. Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), speed of sound (SOS) and stiffness index (SI), a composite parameter, were assessed through the heel of 66 osteoporotic patients, and compared with the results in 35 controls. Patients had sustained a low-trauma fracture and/or had a lumbar and/or femoral bone mineral density (BMD) more than 2.5 SD below the young male reference value. As expected, all QUS parameters were statistically lower in patients, as were the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements at the hip and lumbar spine. The two methods were compared for their ability to predict the risk of osteoporotic fractures. The odds ratios (ORs), with their 95% confidence limits, for fractures per 1 SD decrease were significant, especially for SOS and SI (OR = 2.3 [1.4-3.6] and 2.1 [1.3-3.3] respectively) and to a lesser extent for BUA (1.6 [1.0-2.4]). Our study suggests that QUS is associated with a history of low-trauma fracture in men; sensitivity is, however, less than when results are compared with BMD measurements (OR = 2.8 [1.6-5.0] and 3.4 [1.6-7.0] for lumbar spine and hip, respectively). Prospective studies are required before QUS can be recommended for clinical use in male osteoporosis.

Comparative efficacy and safety study of etidronate and alendronate in postmenopausal osteoporosis. effect of adding hormone replacement therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and safety of etidronate and alendronate in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis and to assess the efficacy of either bisphosphonate in combination with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this pragmatic study, the main efficacy criterion was the mean annual change in bone mineral density (BMD). Patients who had a past or current history of etidronate or alendronate treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis with at least 18 months follow-up and an evaluation in 1999 were eligible. Recruitment was in an outpatient clinic with a special focus on metabolic bone diseases. Osteoporosis was defined as at least one low-energy fracture or as a lumbar spine or femoral neck BMD decrease to at least 2.5 SD below the mean in young women. HRT was not an exclusion criterion provided treatment duration was longer than 1 year. Etidronate was given cyclically (14-day courses in a dosage of 400 mg/d separated by 76-day intervals with calcium and vitamin D supplementation) and alendronate was given daily in a dosage of 10 mg/d. RESULTS: Of the 99 patients who met our inclusion criteria, 53 received etidronate (including 23 on HRT) and 46 alendronate (18 on HRT). Repeat BMD measurements were obtained in 88 patients, including 11 who stopped their bisphosphonate therapy within the first year of use because of adverse events. Lumbar spine BMD (mean +/- SD) increased significantly both in the etidronate group (+2.1% +/- 0.7%/year) and in the alendronate group (+5.3% +/- 0.9%/year). The increase was significantly greater with alendronate (P< 0.01). The lumbar spine BMD increase was largest in the patients on alendronate and HRT (+6.5% +/- 1.4%/year) and was smallest (and nonsignificant) in the patients on etidronate without HRT (+ 1.2% +/- 0.8%). Femoral neck BMD showed no significant changes in any group. In the intention-to-treat analysis, fractures occurred in 12 etidronate patients (22.6%) and six (13.0%) alendronate patients (nonsignificant). Adverse events requiring bisphosphonate discontinuation before the scheduled date of the follow-up BMD measurement occurred in one patient (1.9%) in the etidronate group (generalized osteomalacia) and in ten patients (21.7%) in the alendronate group (upper or lower gastrointestinal tract symptoms in six and four patients, respectively; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Both etidronate and alendronate significantly increased lumbar BMD, but the effect was significantly more marked with alendronate. Conversely, adverse effects, most notably gastrointestinal symptoms, were more common with alendronate, so that premature treatment discontinuation because of adverse events were more common in the alendronate group. Both differences should be taken into account when selecting the best drug for a patient with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Management of male osteoporosis.

UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of treatments for male osteoporosis selected based on the cause of the disease. METHODS: Sixty-three men with osteoporosis (T-score at the lumbar spine and/or femoral neck lower than -2.5) with a mean age of 53+/-11 years were studied. Forty-three (68.3%) had a history of fracturing without trauma (vertebral fractures, 37 patients, 57%). Treatments were as follows: idiopathic osteoporosis: calcium and vitamin D supplements (N = 10) or cyclical etidronate for 2 weeks followed by calcium and vitamin D supplements for 76 days (N = 29); moderate idiopathic phosphate diabetes: calcitriol and phosphate (N = 15); idiopathic hypercalciuria: hydrochlorothiazide (N = 6); and hypogonadism: testosterone (N = 3). RESULTS: Percentage change in bone mineral density (mean +/- standard error of the mean) after 18 months: calcium and vitamin D (lumbar spine: 0.6+/-2; femoral neck: 2.2+/-2.2); etidronate (lumbar spine: 3.6+/-1.4*; femoral neck: 0.5+/-1); calcitriol (lumbar spine: 7.0+/-3.5*; femoral neck: 0.0+/-1.4); thiazide diuretic (lumbar spine: 1+/-3.2; femoral neck: -2.3+/-3.7); and testosterone (lumbar spine: 6.8+/-6.4; femoral neck: 2.5+/-2.7), where *P < 0.05 versus baseline. Gastrointestinal side effects occurred in three patients (4.8%), including two on calcitriol-phosphate therapy and one on etidronate therapy. Of the six (9.5%) patients who experienced incident fractures, four were on etidronate, one on calcitriol-phosphate, and one on calcium-vitamin D. No patients discontinued their treatment because of side effects. CONCLUSION: Etidronate and the combination of calcitriol-phosphate produce a significant increase in lumbar spine bone mass in men with idiopathic osteoporosis or moderate idiopathic phosphate diabetes.

Axial osteomalacia with sacroiliitis and moderate phosphate diabetes: report of a case.

We report a new case of axial osteomalacia diagnosed in a 51-year-old white Caucasian male, made particular by its association with sacroiliitis, positive HLA-B27 antigen, and also moderate phosphate diabetes responsible for a decreased appendicular bone mass. The diagnosis was suspected when X-ray evaluation showed increased density and coarse trabeculation mainly involving the pelvis and spine. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry confirmed the elevated bone density at the lumbar spine (T score: +1.92) contrasting with a decreased bone mass at the femoral neck (T score: -2.33). The diagnosis was confirmed by histomorphometry of the iliac crest showing marked thickening of the cortices (2190 microns +/- 0.574, N = 780 +/- 40) and an increased trabecular bone volume (33.24%, N = 14 +/- 3). Osteoid parameters were also markedly increased with an osteoid volume of 2.1% (N = 1.2 +/- 0.5) and a mean osteoid thickness of 28.7 microns (N = 13 +/- 2.5), with a normal bone fluoride content (0.082%, N < 0.10). Bone resorption as assessed on bone biopsy and by the measurement of markers of bone remodeling (serum procollagen type I C-terminal telopeptide and 24 hr urinary cross-laps to creatinine ratio) was increased. This latter finding was not necessarily due to axial osteomalacia and could be the consequence of moderate phosphate diabetes. The patient was treated with calcitriol which was promptly discontinued due to gastrointestinal symptoms and replaced by calcidiol without any significant effect on the low back pain.

Rheumatologic manifestations of pachydermoperiostosis and preliminary experience with bisphosphonates.

OBJECTIVE: Pachydermoperiostosis is manifested by finger clubbing, hypertrophic skin changes, and periosteal bone formation. We describe 5 cases revealed primarily by their rheumatologic manifestations. Also reported are preliminary experiences on the use of intravenous pamidronate as a treatment. METHODS: This is a retrospective study including the analysis of clinical manifestations, laboratory results and morphological examinations gathered from patients' medical records. We evaluated efficacy of treatment with 1 mg/kg iv pamidronate in the 3 new cases. RESULTS: Before treatment with iv pamidronate, the patients' global assessment was poor (twice) and very poor (once). The physician's global assessment was poor in 3 patients. After treatment with iv pamidronate, 2 patients had significant improvement. Physician and patient global assessments were very good, good, and moderate. No side effects were observed. All biological variables were within normal ranges at 12 month followup visit. CONCLUSION: Pachydermoperiostosis must be recognized by the rheumatologist, since it can present symptomatically through articular manifestations. When conventional treatment modalities fail, iv pamidronate might be useful.

Factors influencing bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the occurrence of bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to determine the factors influencing bone loss (particularly the usefulness of bone turnover markers) over an 18-month period. METHODS: A total of 51 patients were studied, 6 men and 45 females (of whom 35 were menopausal). Their mean age was 56 +/- 10 years and the mean RA duration was 12 +/- 10 years. Twenty-eight (55%) were receiving corticosteroids (10 mg/day for a mean duration of 6 +/- 5 years). Several clinical and biological parameters reflecting disease activity or severity were recorded both at the 0 and 18-month investigations. Bone turnover was assessed at baseline by measuring the serum levels of 4 biological markers. Three of them reflected bone formation, i.e., procollagen type I C-terminal propepeptide (PICP), procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) and osteocalcin (OC). The fourth, procollagen type I-C terminal telopeptide (ICTP), reflected bone resorption. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry both at the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) at baseline and 18 months later. RESULTS: Bone loss occurred both at the LS: 2.1%, [95% CI: 0.8%-3.4%, P < 0.005] and femoral neck: 3.1%, [95% CI: 1.1%-5.1%, P < 0.005]. Bone loss was markedly increased for postmenopausal women at the FN: 5.3% [95% CI: 2.9%-7.6%, P < 0.005]. Bone loss was not statistically significantly different between users and non-users of steroids. Bone loss at the LS was significantly correlated with both osteocalcin (r = 0.51, P < 0.01) and ICTP levels (r = 0.32, P < 0.05). FN bone loss was correlated with the osteocalcin level only (r = 0.34, P < 0.05). Fast losers (bone loss at the LS above the median) had higher OC (P < 0.01) and ESR (P < 0.05) levels at baseline as compared with slow losers (bone loss at the LS below the median). CONCLUSION: Bone loss occurs in RA particularly at the FN and seems to be influenced by increased bone turnover and high levels of inflammation.

Contribution of magnetic resonance imaging to the diagnosis of extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma.

A case of extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma presenting as a large gluteal mass is reported. This is a rare tumor with a frequently grim prognosis. Although the definitive diagnosis requires histological examination, magnetic resonance imaging is useful for determining the location of the tumor, evaluating its spread, and eliminating skeletal Ewing's sarcoma by establishing the integrity of the neighboring bone marrow. The tumor is seen on T1-weighted images as low signal with heterogeneous postgadolinium enhancement. Signal intensity on T2-weighted images is variable. In the case reported here, combination chemotherapy with external beam radiation therapy was ineffective, and the patient died 12 months after the diagnosis.

Causes of osteoporosis in males. A review of 160 cases.

BACKGROUND: The discovery of osteoporosis in a male requires a careful search for a cause. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate etiologic factors in male osteoporosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Males admitted to our department for osteoporosis were included if they had a nontrauma-related vertebral or peripheral fracture and/or a spinal or femoral neck bone mineral density value 2.5 standard deviations or more below the mean in young subjects. The study was retrospective from 1990 to 1995 and prospective from 1996 to 1997. During the prospective part of the study, each subject underwent a standardized battery of laboratory tests including renal tubular function parameters. Causes identified during these two periods were compared. RESULTS: Of the 160 patients included in the study, 28.1% had idiopathic osteoporosis, 22.5% had alcoholic osteoporosis, 19.4% had glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, 12.5% had osteoporosis due to moderate idiopathic proximal tubule dysfunction, and 8.8% had senile osteoporosis. The proportion of patients with idiopathic osteoporosis was 30% (23/76) during the retrospective part of the study and 26% (21/84) during the prospective part (nonsignificant difference). Moderate idiopathic proximal tubule dysfunction was found in 2.6% (2/76) and 21.4% (18/84) of patients during these two parts of the study, respectively, a difference ascribable to the routine determination of tubule function parameters during the second part of the study. CONCLUSION: An exhaustive search for a cause decreases the proportion of male osteoporosis cases that remain idiopathic. In our study, only 28% of cases were classified as idiopathic, a term that probably indicates involvement of multiple interrelated factors.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: an open prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of percutaneous vertebroplasty in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures responsible for severe and persistent pain. METHODS: Sixteen patients were included in this open prospective study. Inclusion criteria were: one or 2 vertebral fractures responsible for severe pain, i.e., higher than 50 mm on a visual analog scale (VAS: 0-100 mm), scores 3, 4 or 5 according to the McGill-Melzack scoring system, and evolving for more than 3 months. Assessment criteria were the changes over time (Days 3, 30, 90, 180) in VAS and McGill-Melzack scoring system. The changes over time in a generic health status instrument score [the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP)] were also assessed. Statistical comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon T test. RESULTS: There were 9 women and 7 men: postmenopausal osteoporosis (n = 7), corticosteroid induced osteoporosis (n = 2), and male osteoporosis (n = 7). Vertebroplasty was performed in 20 vertebrae. A statistically significant decrease of both VAS (-53%, p < 0.0005) and McGill-Melzack scoring system (p < 0.005) was observed at Day 3. The results were also significant at Days 30, 90, and 180 for both scales (p < 0.005 and p < 0.01, respectively). A significant decrease over time for 5/6 dimensions of the NHP score was also noted: pain (p < 0.01), physical mobility (p < 0.05), emotional reactions (p < 0.05), social isolation (p < 0.05), and energy (p < 0.05). We observed no adverse event, and no vertebral fracture has occurred after 6 months of followup. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a useful and safe procedure for treating persistent painful osteoporotic fractures. Controlled studies with longterm followup are required.

Spinal curvatures and quality of life in women with vertebral fractures secondary to osteoporosis.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cross-sectional case-control study. OBJECTIVES: To compare spinal curvatures in women with osteoporosis and control subjects with a new instrument, the curviscope. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Few instruments are available for measuring spinal curvatures in the sagittal plane. Most of them have poor reproducibility, and they have been poorly investigated in osteoporosis. METHODS: Ninety-eight postmenopausal women were evaluated. They were divided into two groups, according to their bone status: women with osteoporosis with at least one vertebral fracture (n = 51) and control subjects (n = 47). Women with osteoporosis were divided into two subgroups, according to the delay since the last vertebral fracture had occurred (i.e., more or less than 3 months). Quality of life was assessed by using a generic instrument, the Nottingham Health Profile, in patients with osteoporosis only. RESULTS: Reproducibility of the curviscope was satisfactory. For kyphosis measurements, the coefficients of variation were 2.8% and 2.4% in control subjects and women with osteoporosis, respectively. Kyphosis values were significantly higher in women with osteoporosis than in age-matched control subjects (63 degrees +/- 13 degrees vs. 52 degrees +/- 11 degrees, respectively; P < 0.005). Nottingham Health Profile scores were significantly different (P < 0.05) in women with osteoporosis with a recently diagnosed vertebral fracture, compared with other women with osteoporosis in two aspects, physical mobility and energy. Kyphosis measurements were significantly correlated with age in the whole group (r = 0.26; P < 0.05). In the Nottingham Health Profile, physical mobility was significantly correlated with kyphosis (r = 0.35; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The curviscope is a reliable tool, particularly useful in the assessment of osteoporosis. Moreover, kyphosis angles measured with the curviscope are markedly increased in women with osteoporosis, compared with control subjects. Finally, an increase of kyphosis angles is associated with decreased physical mobility.

Ultrasound velocity through the phalanges in normal and osteoporotic patients.

Quantitative ultrasound (US) measurements have been shown to be a new technique assessing bone status. This study aimed to assess a new US instrument, the DBM Sonic 1200(R) (IGEA) which permits the measurement of the speed of sound in the proximal phalanges (SOSp) of the hand. The results obtained were compared with DXA (SOPHOS) and US measurements at the calcaneus (Achilles(R) LUNAR). The in vivo precision expressed by coefficient of variation was 0.91%. Ultrasound measurements of phalanges were significantly correlated with BMD in the entire group of 90 subjects: osteoporotic patients (n = 47) and controls (n = 43) (r = 0.44, femoral neck and 0.45, lumbar spine, P < 0.01). A significant correlation was also found in the control group (r = 0.33, lumbar spine and 0.38, femoral neck, P < 0.05) but not in the osteoporotic group (r = 0.3, lumbar spine and 0.17, femoral neck, P > 0.05). Mean values for 31 postmenopausal, osteoporotic women and age-matched controls showed a significant decrease in US measurements at the phalanges (P < 0.05) and the calcaneus (P < 0.01) as well as bone mineral density (BMD) at the spine and femoral neck (P < 0.01) in the osteoporotic group. A decision threshold for a sensitivity of 80% for osteoporotic fractures resulted in a specificity value of only 37% for SOSp, between 53 to 65% for calcaneus US measurements and 45 to 56% for BMD. The Z score, the odds ratio, the ROC curves, and areas under the curves plotted for the subgroup of 31 fractures and their healthy controls showed poorer values for SOSp than BMD and calcaneus US measurements. In conclusion, US measurements of phalanges seem to be less efficient than calcaneus US and BMD measurements to distinguish osteoporotic from healthy women. Other studies and also prospective studies are required to assess the interest in fracture risk assessment.

Is bone turnover a determinant of bone mass in rheumatoid arthritis?

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between bone turnover markers and bone mineral density in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: We studied 54 patients, 24 of whom were receiving low dose steroids, and compared them to 54 age and sex matched controls. RESULTS: An 8.2% decrease of femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) was found in patients not taking steroids compared with controls (confidence interval 1.2-15.3%). Serum markers of bone turnover -- namely, procollagen type I C-terminal propeptide (PICP) and procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP), which reflect bone formation, and procollagen type I C-terminal telopeptide, which reflects bone resorption -- were significantly increased compared with controls (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). Both PINP levels and PICP levels were correlated with the femoral neck BMD as well as osteocalcin levels: R = -0.32 (p < 0.05), R = -0.29 (p < 0.05), and R = -0.42 (p < 0.01), respectively. The best independent predictors of bone mass (stepwise multiple regression analysis) at the femoral neck were steroid use, osteocalcin levels, age, height, the presence of rheumatoid factor, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire score, which explained 61.6% of the variance in femoral neck BMD. CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with RA using steroids with severe disease and high levels of osteocalcin have marked osteoporosis at the hip.

Efficacy and tolerability of chondroitin sulfate 1200 mg/day vs chondroitin sulfate 3 x 400 mg/day vs placebo.

This multicenter randomized, double-blind, controlled study was performed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of chondroitin sulfate (CS, Condrosulf, IBSA, Lugano, CH) 1200 mg/day oral gel vs CS 3 x 400 mg/day capsules vs placebo, in patients with mono or bilateral knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren and Lawrence radiographic score grade I to III). A total of 127 patients, 40 of whom were treated with CS 1200 mg/day, 43 with CS 3 x 400 mg/day and 44 with placebo, were included in the statistical analysis of this 3-month treatment study. In the CS groups, Lequesne's Index and spontaneous joint pain (VAS) showed a significant reduction of clinical symptoms (P < 0.01 for both parameters), while only a slight reduction was observed in the placebo group (P = ns for Lequesne's Index and P < 0.05 for VAS). The physician's and patient's overall efficacy assessments were significantly in favour of the CS groups (P < 0.01). The treatment carried out with the three formulations was very well tolerated. In conclusion, these results indicate that CS favours the improvement of the subjective symptoms, improving the joint mobility. An additional consideration is that the efficacy of 1200 mg CS as a single daily dose does not differ from that of 3 x 400 mg daily doses of CS for all the clinical parameters taken into consideration.

Pulmonary function tests and high resolution computed tomography of the lungs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lungs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Sixty eight patients (54 women, 14 men) fulfilling the revised criteria for RA were consecutively included in a transversal prospective study. Their mean age was 58.8 years (range: 35-82) and the mean duration of the disease was 12 years (range: 5-16). Rheumatoid factor was positive in 52 patients (76.5%). Fifty two patients (76.5%) were lifelong non-smokers. Detailed medical and drug histories were obtained. PFTs comprised spirometry and gas transfer measurements. Results for PFTs were expressed as percentage of predicted values for each individual adjusted for age, sex, and height. HRCT was undertaken with a Siemens Somatom Plus. RESULTS: A significant decrease of FEV1/ FVC, FEF25%, FEF50%, FEF75%, FEF25-75%, and TLCO was observed (p < 0.05) and 13.2% of the patients had a small airways involvement defined by a decrease of FEF25-75% below 1.64 SD. The most frequent HRCT findings were: bronchiectasis (30.5%), pulmonary nodules (28%), and air trapping (25%). The patients with small airways involvement had a high frequency of recurrent bronchitis (75% v 34%, p = 0.05) and bronchiectasis (71% v 23%, p = 0.019). The patients with bronchiectasis were characterised by low values of FEV1, FVC, FEF25-75%, and TLCO (p < 0.01), a high prevalence of small airways involvement (29% v 5%, p = 0.019), and a low prevalence of HLA DQA1 *0501 allele (14% v 33%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests a significant association between small airways involvement on PFTs and bronchiectasis on HRCT in unselected RA patients.

[Osteoporosis in pregnancy: apropos of 2 cases]. / Ostéoporose de la grossesse: à propos de deux observations.

Two women, 31 and 19 years old, developed acute back pain with non-traumatic vertebral fractures one month after delivery in one case, and during the 9th month of gestation in the second case. For the first patient, the evolution was favorable with an increase of bone mineral density (15.2% over fourteen months under calcium and vitamin D). Ten years later, the osteoporosis of the second patient worsened without any new pregnancy. Our observations suggest the possibility of different pathogenies in pregnancy-associated osteoporosis.

Evaluation of bone mineral density in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Influence of disease activity and glucocorticoid therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To study bone mass and the factors that influence bone mass in rheumatoid arthritis patients versus controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 85 patients (73 women) with a mean age of 57 +/- 11 years and a mean disease duration of 13 +/- 9 years were compared to 85 age- and sex-matched controls. Among the patients, 62 (76%) had positive rheumatoid factor tests and 51 (60%) were receiving steroid therapy, with a mean daily dose of 10 +/- 4 mg and a mean duration of 7 +/- 6 years. The following parameters were determined: morning stiffness duration, painful and swollen joint counts, Lee's and Ritchie's indices, Health Assessment Questionnaire score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein. Bone mineral density was measured at the lumbar spine and femoral neck using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Sophos L-XRA). RESULTS: In the nonsteroid-treated patients, bone mineral density was similar to that in controls at the lumbar spine but was decreased by 8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-14.2%) at the femoral neck (0.76 +/- 0.14 g/cm2 versus 0.83 +/- 0.15 g/cm2; P = 0.03). Decreases of 11.5% (95% CI, 8.1-14.9%) at the lumbar spine and 10.4% (95% CI, 6.4-14.4%) at the femoral neck were found in the steroid-treated patients versus the nonsteroid-treated patients. In the patient group, femoral neck bone mineral density was significantly negatively correlated with age (r = -0.5), the Heath Assessment Questionnaire score (r = -0.27), and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = -0.25), whereas only the first two variables were significantly correlated with lumbar bone mineral density. A multiple linear regression model including age, glucocorticoid use, rheumatoid factor, the Health Assessment Questionnaire score, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was constructed and adjusted for the number of variables. This model explained 44.7% of the variance of femoral neck bone mineral density. CONCLUSION: Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with a decrease in bone mass that is most marked in patients with active and/or severe disease and in those who take glucocorticoids.

Contribution of calcaneal ultrasonic assessment to the evaluation of postmenopausal and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

We evaluated ultrasound propagation through the calcaneus using the Achilles Lunar unit in patients with postmenopausal or glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation and a combination of these two parameters called stiffness were determined. Reproducibility was 0.23%, 2.6%, and 2.6% for these three parameters, respectively. Bone mineral density measured at the spine and femoral neck by absorptiometry was significantly correlated with all three ultrasound parameters in the women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (n = 47) and in the controls (n = 42). In the patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (n = 35), only speed of sound was significantly correlated with the bone mineral density measurements. Mean values in the subjects with postmenopausal osteoporosis and in their age-matched controls were 1473 +/- 27.2 m/sec versus 1500.6 +/- 29.6 m/sec for speed of sound, 95.3 +/- 9.6 dB/Mhz versus 105.7 +/- 10.1 dB/Mhz for broadband ultrasound attenuation, and 56.1 +/- 13.2 versus 70.9 +/- 14.1 for stiffness, indicating a significant difference (P < 0.01). Z scores were -0.91, -1.1, -0.93, -0.97, and -1.05 for bone mineral density at the spine, bone mineral density at the femoral neck, speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation and stiffness, respectively. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the ultrasound parameters at the calcaneus and the absorptiometry measurements at the spine and femoral neck. Mean values in glucocorticoid-treated patients and age-matched controls were 1480 +/- 26.9 m/sec versus 1505.1 +/- 30.3 m/sec for speed of sound, 99.2/-11.4 dB/Mhz versus 105.9 +/- -10.2 dB/Mhz for broadband ultrasound attenuation, and 60.7 +/- 14 versus 72.1/14.5 for stiffness, again indicating a significant difference (P < or = 0.01). Z scores were -0.55, -0.65, -0.8, -0.67, and -0.78 for bone mineral density at the spine, bone mineral density at the femoral neck, speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation and stiffness, respectively. Our data suggest that ultrasound parameters measured at the calcaneus are useful for evaluating postmenopausal and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

How useful are bone turnover markers in rheumatoid arthritis? Influence of disease activity and corticosteroid therapy.

UNLABELLED: Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with osteopenia possibly related to increased bone resorption. Until recently, the markers used to evaluate bone turnover lacked specificity, and as a result studies were difficult to interpret. OBJECTIVES: To study bone remodeling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, with special attention to the effects of corticosteroid therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients (36 women and 12 men) with a mean age of 54.6 +/- 11.6 years and a mean disease duration of 11 +/- 9 years were studied. Thirty-nine patients (81%) had positive tests for rheumatoid factors, and 21 (43.7%) were under corticosteroid therapy, with a mean treatment duration of 4.5 +/- 2.9 years and a mean daily dosage of 9.4 +/- 2.5 mg prednisone. A group of age- and sex-matched controls was also studied. Serum levels of procollagen Type I C-terminal propeptide (PINP), procollagen Type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP), and procollagen type I C-terminal telopeptide (ICTP) were determined in all patients and controls. The first two markers reflect bone formation and the last bone resorption. Other tests performed in each patient were the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum C-reactive protein, serum total alkaline phosphatase, serum osteocalcin, 24-hour urinary hydroxyproline excretion, and calcium/creatinine ratio in a morning urine sample. Several clinical parameters were used to evaluate disease activity and severity in the rheumatoid arthritis patients. RESULTS: ICTP levels were significantly elevated in the patients as compared with the controls (6.6 +/- 3.9 ng/ml versus 3.1 +/- 1.2 ng/ml, P = 0.0001), whereas no significant differences were found for PICP or PINP. Similar results were found when the analysis was confined to nonsteroid-medicated patients. Conversely, PICP levels were higher in steroid-medicated patients than in controls (P = 0.0132) and were correlated with steroid therapy duration (r = 0.436). ICTP levels were correlated with age (r = 0.3), Lee's index (r = 0.585), the Health Assessment Questionnaire score (r = 0.391), and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.442). Urinary hydroxyproline excretion was elevated in 41.6% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that rheumatoid arthritis is associated with increased bone resorption, and that steroid therapy further accelerates bone remodeling in this disease.