Development and validation of the osteoporosis scale among the system of quality of life instruments for chronic diseases QLICD-OS (V2.0).

BACKGROUND: Quality of life of osteoporosis patients had caused widespread concern, due to high incidence and difficulty to cure. Scale specifics for osteoporosis and suitable for Chinese cultural background lacked. This study aimed to develop an osteoporosis scale in Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases system, namely QLICD-OS (V2.0). METHODS: Procedural decision-making approach of nominal group, focus group and modular approach were adopted. Our scale was developed based on experience of establishing scales at home and abroad. In this study, Quality of life measurements were performed on 127 osteoporosis patients before and after treatment to evaluate the psychometric properties. Validity was evaluated by qualitative analysis, item-domain correlation analysis, multi-scaling analysis and factor analysis; the SF-36 scale was used as criterion to carry out correlation analysis for criterion-related validity. The reliability was evaluated by the internal consistency coefficients Cronbach's α, test-retest reliability Pearson correlation r. Paired t-tests were performed on data of ​​the scale before and after treatment, with Standardized Response Mean (SRM) being calculated to evaluate the responsiveness. RESULTS: The QLICD-OS, composed of a general module (28 items) and an osteoporosis-specific module (14 items), had good content validity. Correlation analysis and factor analysis confirmed the construct, with the item having a strong correlation (most > 0.40) with its own domains/principle components, and a weak correlation (< 0.40) with other domains/principle components. Correlation coefficient between the similar domains of QLICD-OS and SF-36 showed reasonable criterion-related validity, with all coefficients r being greater than 0.40 exception of physical function of SF-36 and physical domain of QLICD-OS (0.24). Internal consistency reliability of QLICD-OS in all domains was greater than 0.7 except the specific module. The test-retest reliability coefficients (Pearson r) in all domains and overall score are higher than 0.80. Score changes after treatment were statistically significant, with SRM ranging from 0.35 to 0.79, indicating that QLICD-OS could be rated as medium responsiveness. CONCLUSION: As the first osteoporosis-specific quality of life scale developed by the modular approach in China, the QLICD-OS showed good reliability, validity and medium responsiveness, and could be used to measure quality of life in osteoporosis patients.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward osteoporosis among patients with chronic kidney disease in Zhejiang.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are considered high-risk group for osteoporosis. However, the current understanding of their knowledge, attitude, and practice toward osteoporosis remains unclear. CKD patients were recruited from Li Huili Hospital, Ningbo Medical Center between March 2023 and June 2023. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect the participant's demographic characteristics and knowledge, attitude, and practice toward osteoporosis. A total of 500 valid questionnaires were included in the analysis, with participants aged 51.08 ±â€…14.76 years. The mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 6.67 ±â€…3.04 (range: 0-11), 33.99 ±â€…3.37 (range: 10-50), and 35.29 ±â€…5.54 (range: 9-45), respectively. Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive associations between knowledge and attitude scores (r = 0.440, P < .001), knowledge and practice scores (r = 0.376, P < .001), as well as attitude and practice scores (r = 0.403, P < .001). Structural equation modeling revealed direct associations between knowledge and attitude (path coefficient = 0.488, P < .001), and between attitude and practice (path coefficient = 0.485, P < .001). The knowledge also exhibited a directly positive effect on practice (path coefficient = 0.449, P < .001). Undergoing glucocorticoid therapy (odd ratio [OR] = 2.353, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.022-5.418, P = .044) and osteoporosis osteoporosis (OR = 1.565, 95% CI: 1.011-2.421, P = .044) were positively associated with knowledge. Moreover, disease duration >1 year was positively associated with practice (OR = 3.643, 95% CI: 1.754-7.565, P < .001). CKD patients demonstrated moderate knowledge, neutral attitude, and moderate practice toward osteoporosis. To address the practice gaps of CKD patients toward osteoporosis, targeted educational interventions and attitude support programs can be developed.

Osteoporosis guideline awareness among Iranian nurses: results of a knowledge and attitudes survey.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is a chronic and progressive disease associated with gradual bone loss and elevated risk of fracture. Role of health care professional especially nurses in lowering burden of osteoporosis via patients and public education is critical. Current study conducted to evaluate knowledge and attitude regarding osteoporosis among the nurses in orthopedic wards and their experience with national clinical osteoporosis guideline. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to December 2016 among all nurses in orthopedic ward of hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The 23- item self-administered scale consisted of knowledge and attitude questions were used. Moreover, data regarding participation in osteoporosis training courses and awareness of the national osteoporosis clinical guideline were collected as a measure of nurses' experience with guideline. The gathered data were analyzed using SPSS (V. 16), student t-test was used to compare total knowledge and attitude scores between categorical demographic and professional data. Pearson test was used to calculate the correlation between total knowledge and attitude scores and years of practice. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: From total of 160 nurses, 143 of them completed the questionnaire (response rate: 89.3%). The total mean ± SD knowledge and attitude scores were 11.60 ± 3.10 and 3.47 ± 0.92 respectively. Six nurses (4.2%) had participated in osteoporosis training courses after graduation, and 39 (27.3%) had been aware of the national osteoporosis clinical guideline. Knowledge and attitude scores among nurses who practice in private hospitals was higher than those practices in the teaching hospitals. These differences were statistically significant based on student t-test. According to Pearson correlation coefficient, there was positive and significant correlation between nurses' knowledge and attitude score (Correlation coefficient: 0.199, p-value = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal that nurses' knowledge and attitude regarding osteoporosis was not satisfactory. Most of them were not aware of national osteoporosis clinical guideline and had not participated in osteoporosis training courses after their graduation. We need more empowered nurses to lowering burden of osteoporosis and its consequences in the future.

Osteoporosis and Endplate Damage Correlation Using a Combined Approach of Hounsfield Unit Values and Total Endplate Scores: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: Osteoporosis and endplate damage, two primary orthopedic disorders that have adverse effects on the quality of life of older adults, may have some previously unknown relationship. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential association between osteoporosis and endplate damage with two specific imaging scoring systems and analyze the underlying mechanisms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 156 patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) who visited our department in 2018 was performed. Data including age, sex, body mass index, Hounsfield unit (HU) values utilizing computed tomography (CT), and total endplate scores (TEPSs) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of all patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The average HU value and TEPS of L1-L4 were used to represent the degrees of bone mineral density (BMD) and endplate damage, respectively. Patients with an HU value < 110 were defined as having osteoporosis and placed in the low-BMD group; otherwise, they were placed in the normal-BMD group. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the independent factors of endplate damage. RESULTS: The TEPSs in the low-BMD group were significantly higher (6.4 ± 1.6 vs 5.0 ± 0.9, p < 0.001) overall and in every segment of L1-L4 (p < 0.01). A significant negative correlation was found between TEPS and HU values (p < 0.001). The HU value (odds ratio [OR] 0.221; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.148-0.295, p < 0.001), age (OR 0.047; 95% CI, 0.029-0.224, p < 0.001), and BMD (OR 3.796; 95% CI, 2.11-7.382, p < 0.05) were independent factors influencing endplate damage. CONCLUSION: A significantly positive correlation was observed between osteoporosis and endplate damage, indicating the requirement for a more comprehensive therapeutic regimen for treating patients with DDD complicated with osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis in Adult Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Special Considerations for Diagnosis, Prevention, and Management.

As medical care progresses, patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities are living longer and beginning to experience diseases that commonly afflict the aging population, such as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis and resultant fractures increase disability and threaten the independence of this vulnerable population. In addition, the diagnosis, prevention, and management of osteoporosis present unique challenges in these patients. Critical preventive targets include exercise modification, fall prevention, and monitoring for nutrient deficiencies. Commonly used in diagnosis and treatment monitoring, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan of the hip and spine may not be feasible, whereas peripheral DXA or computed tomography may be more accessible for patients with physical disabilities. Pharmacological treatment should be tailored to the individual patient, considering factors such as adherence and comorbidities. Finally, bone turnover markers are a noninvasive, cost-effective option for monitoring treatment response in patients who cannot undergo DXA.

Evaluation of an Osteoporosis Outreach Program for Men With a Fragility Fracture and Their Physicians.

BACKGROUND: Many health plans have outreach programs aimed at appropriately screening, evaluating, and treating women experiencing fragility fractures; however, few programs exist for men. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate an osteoporosis outreach program for men with a recent fragility fracture and their physicians. RESEARCH DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: A total of 10,934 male patients enrolled in a Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug Plan with a recent fragility fracture were randomized to a program or control group. Patients and their physicians received letters followed by phone calls on osteoporosis and the importance of screening and treatment. The evaluation compared bone mineral density (BMD) test utilization and osteoporosis medication treatment (OPT) among patients who received the outreach versus no outreach at 12 months. The effect of the program was estimated through univariate and multivariable logistic regressions. RESULTS: The program had a significant impact on BMD evaluation and OPT initiation. At 12 months, 10.7% of participants and 4.9% of nonparticipants received a BMD evaluation. The odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) was 2.31 (1.94, 2.76), and the number needed to outreach to receive a BMD test was 18. OPT was initiated in 4.0% of participants and 2.5% of nonparticipants. The OR (95% confidence interval) of receiving OPT was 1.60 (1.24, 2.07), and the number needed to outreach was 69. Adjusted ORs were similar in magnitude and significance. CONCLUSION: The program was highly effective by more than doubling the rate of BMD evaluation; however, more intensive interventions may yield an even higher screening rate.

Is a 'healthy diet' and a 'calcium-rich diet' the same thing? Qualitative study examining perceptions of a calcium-rich diet in individuals who have received bone health education.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we aimed to (i) examine perceptions of achieving calcium and vitamin D recommended dietary allowance (RDA) and (ii) determine how participants talked about food in relation to RDA recommendations. METHODS: Participants aged ≥50 years who were prescribed osteoporosis medication and received two modes of bone health education were eligible. Relying on a qualitative description design, we interviewed participants 1 month after they had attended an education session and received a self-management booklet. Calcium and vitamin D intakes were estimated by in-depth questions about diet and supplements and compared with perceptions of achieved RDA levels. Interview transcripts were analysed based on an analytic hierarchical process. RESULTS: Forty-five participants (29 reporting previous fragility fractures) were included. Calcium and vitamin D RDA appeared to be potentially achieved by 64% and 93% of participants, respectively, primarily because of reliance on supplements. Few participants talked about vitamin D in relation to food intake and 49% of participants were unclear about the calcium content of food. Most considered that a healthy diet was equivalent to a calcium-rich diet. We noted no differences in our findings in the subset of individuals with fragility fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Despite reporting a prescription for osteoporosis medication and receiving bone health education, a substantial number of individuals appeared to have sub-optimal calcium levels. This may be attributed to the challenge of achieving RDA with diet alone and the misconception of a healthy diet as a calcium-rich diet.

[Pain management in osteoporosis]. / Schmerztherapie bei Osteoporose.

Osteoporosis is a very common disease all over the world, in which a reduction in bone density can lead to an increased risk of fractures and a diminished physical height. Osteoporosis is also associated with acute and chronic pain, which especially occurs in the back and can significantly reduce the quality of life. To provide sufficient care for affected patients, it is essential to know the particularities of pain management in osteoporosis, such as pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment options. This article gives a comprehensive review of pain management in osteoporosis and also explains the underlying pathomechanisms, risk factors, and diagnostic procedures.

Fragility fractures in France: epidemiology, characteristics and quality of life (the EPIFRACT study).

Between 1 and 2% of people aged 50 years and over living at home in France are likely to experience a fragility fracture each year. Three-quarters of these individuals are not diagnosed with osteoporosis and lose the opportunity for appropriate care. PURPOSE: To estimate the incidence of fragility fractures in France and to describe the characteristics of individuals with such fractures and of their fractures. METHODS: In April-May 2018, a postal survey was performed in France targeting a representative panel of 15,000 individuals aged ≥ 50 years, who were invited to complete a questionnaire. If they reported experiencing a fracture in the previous 3 years, they were asked to provide information on demographics, fracture type, risk factors for fractures and osteoporosis diagnosis. Only fragility fractures were considered, and these were classified as major (associated with increased mortality) or minor, based on the fracture site. RESULTS: Around 13,914 panellists returned an exploitable questionnaire (92.8%). About 425 participants reported ≥ 1 fragility fracture (453 fractures), corresponding to a 12-month incidence rate of 1.4% [95%CI: 1.2, 1.6]. Incidence was higher in women (1.99% [1.87, 2.05]) than in men (0.69% [0.38, 0.86]) and increased with age. Around 157 fractures (34.6%) were classified as major. Participants reporting major fractures were older than those reporting minor fractures (mean age: 72.6 ± 11.3 vs 67.1 ± 10.6) and more likely to report previous corticosteroid use (odds ratio: 1.90 [95%CI: 1.13, 3.18]). No other patient characteristic was associated with fracture severity. About 117 participants with fractures (27.5%) had undergone bone densitometry, and 97 (22.8%) declared having received a diagnosis of osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: Around 340,000 people aged ≥ 50 years living at home in France are estimated to experience osteoporotic fractures each year. However, > 75% of panellists reporting fractures were never diagnosed with osteoporosis and thus did not have the opportunity to receive appropriate care.

Osteoporosis and premature ovarian insufficiency: geographic variation in clinicians' and consumers' knowledge gaps and barriers to care.

PURPOSE: To determine whether geographic variation exists in osteoporosis knowledge, management, and barriers to care in the setting of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), among general practitioners (GPs) and women with POI. METHODS: Australian GPs completed an online questionnaire regarding osteoporosis knowledge, barriers to care and educational preferences for managing osteoporosis in POI. Women with POI/early menopause (EM) completed an online questionnaire regarding osteoporosis knowledge, risk factors and health beliefs. Clinicians and consumers in metropolitan areas were compared to those in rural areas. RESULTS: Of 688 GP respondents, 62.2% practised in major capital cities, 13.1% in major regional cities, 7.8% in regional centres, 8.7% in rural areas and 8.1% in remote areas. Mean ± SD osteoporosis knowledge score was 9.1 ± 1.5/13, with no difference by location. Forty-one percent of GPs reported barriers to care which varied by location. Of 316 women with POI/EM, 61.1% lived in metropolitan, 22.5% in regional, 11.7% in rural and 4.4% in remote locations. The mean osteoporosis knowledge score was 8.2 ± 3.1/20, with lower scores in women living in rural and remote versus metropolitan locations (difference - 1.3; 95% CI - 2.3, - 0.25; p = 0.02). Women in rural areas were less likely to use vitamin D supplements and more likely to have a family history of osteoporosis (both p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: GP knowledge gaps and specific, location-dependent care barriers for osteoporosis in POI were identified. Geographic differences in osteoporosis knowledge and risk factors exist in women with POI/EM. These factors require consideration when designing programs to improve bone health in POI.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Medical Resource Use in Patients with Osteoporosis and Depression: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Patients with either osteoporosis or depression are prone to develop other diseases and require more medical resources than do the general population. However, there are no studies on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and medical resource use by osteoporosis patients with comorbid depression. We conducted this study for clarifying it. Methods: This cross-sectional study from 2005 to 2010 (6 years) analyzed 9776 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) patients > 40 years old. Each patient was assigned to one of four groups: osteoporosis-positive(+) and depression-positive(+) (O+/D+); O+/D-; O-/D+; O-/D-. We used multivariate linear and logistic regression model to analyze the HRQoL and medical resource use between groups. Results: The O+/D+ group reported more unhealthy days of physical health, more unhealthy days of mental health, and more inactive days during a specified 30 days. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of O+/D+ patients who had poor general health (7.40, 95% CI = 4.80-11.40), who needed healthcare (3.25, 95% CI = 2.12-5.00), and who had been hospitalized overnight (2.71, 95% CI = 1.89-3.90) were significantly highest. Conclusions: Low HRQoL was significantly more prevalent in D+/O+ patients. We found that depression severity more significantly affected HRQoL than did osteoporosis. However, both diseases significantly increased the risk of high medical resource use.

Gendered perceptions of osteoporosis: implications for youth prevention programs.

The presentation of osteoporosis as a woman's disease in prevention information influences how osteoporosis is perceived and how prevention information is internalized and applied. Using the Health Belief Model as a framework, gendered perceptions of osteoporosis were investigated in Canadian young adults to inform the design of prevention programs. A combination of the Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS) and semi-structured interviews were used to explore participants' perceptions of osteoporosis severity, susceptibility, and motivation to engage in prevention activities. Sixty multiethnic men and women aged 17-30 years living in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada participated in the study. While the findings from the OHBS indicated that both genders scored high for self-efficacy, the results from the qualitative interviews showed ambivalent attitudes toward prevention behaviors, indicating a disconnect between quantitative and qualitative findings. Perceptions related to severity and susceptibility revealed that while osteoporosis was generally viewed as a woman's disease, perceived individual risk of disease was a negotiation between larger gender constructs of osteoporosis and a variety of risk factors. This study indicates that osteoporosis prevention programs should consider actively acknowledging gendered and youth-based conceptions of osteoporosis in order to increase prevention behaviors in the whole population to reduce future disease.

[Osteoporosis-specific treatment when and how?] / Osteoporose ­ spezifische Therapie wann und wie?

Over 6 million people in Germany suffer from osteoporosis; approximately half of all women over 70 years old and approximately 1 in 5 men over 70 years old are affected. The most relevant clinical consequences of the disease are fractures leading to a clear impairment in the quality of life. Furthermore, following an osteoporotic fracture especially of the hip or vertebra there is increased mortality. Despite higher individual and socioeconomic relevance, too few patients with osteoporosis still receive adequate treatment. Based on the current guidelines of the governing body for osteology (DVO) the indications for specific medicinal treatment can be determined. Furthermore, the selection of the suitable osteoporosis medication can be carried out by considering several factors, including individual ones.

Adherence to Teriparatide Treatment and Risk of Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To conduct a retrospective systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating the fracture risk among adherence versus non-adherence patients to treatment for osteoporosis. Cohort studies involving adherence to specifically Teriparatide treatment and the risk of fracture, published from inception to June 10 2019, were identified through PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, and Scopus database of Systematic Reviews. Five eligible cohort studies were included for analysis. Overall, adherence, compared with nonadherence, had a significant 28% reduction in the risk of all fractures, an 49% reduction in the risk of hip fracture and an 26% reduction in the risk of non-vertebral fracture. Subgroup analyses showed that treatment compliant North American patients had a lower incidence of fracture than treatment compliant Asian patients. The effect size associated with adherence showed no difference with non-adherence when the analysis was limited to a small sample size (<10 000 patients). The findings of this retrospective review indicate that high compliance of Teriparatide treatment result in a decreased risk of fracture, particularly in North American treatment adherence, compared with Asian treatment adherence. Improvement of treatment adherence in patients with osteoporosis should be considered through various means in clinical practice.

The impact of selected factors on acceptance of illness and life satisfaction among female residents of rural areas treated for osteoporosis.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is a chronic condition with serious sequela, including primarily bone fractures, and impacts on almost all spheres of human life. It is important for patients undergoing treatment to accept their health status and feel satisfied with life. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between socio-demographic factors, duration of the illness, self-assessment of the patient's knowledge of osteoporosis, and also between illness management support and acceptance of the illness and life satisfaction among females with chronic osteoporosis, resident in rural areas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study, conducted from September 2016 - June 2017, involved 207 patients of the Clinic of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation and the Clinic of Gynaecology at the Independent Public Teaching Hospital No. 4 in Lublin, eastern Poland. The study used the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Statistical analysis was performed with Student's t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's range test, and chi-squared test. A p-value of <0.05 defined statistical significance of differences. The analysis was performed using commercial SPSS Statistics 19 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: The respondents showed average acceptance of their illness (22.2±6.9) and relatively low satisfaction with life (14.7±5.6). Older age, low level of education, poor living conditions, prolonged illness, and frequent ailments are all associated with lower acceptance of the illness and poorer life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: As part of their treatment, chronically ill patients should be provided with appropriate support, in particular from healthcare personnel, health education and improved living conditions.

Associations between health-related quality of life, physical function and pain in older women with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis and vertebral fractures represent a major health burden worldwide, and the prevalence of osteoporosis is expected to increase as the world's population ages. Suffering from vertebral fracture has a substantial impact on the individual's health-related quality of life (HRQoL), physical function and pain. Complex health challenges experienced by older people with osteoporosis and vertebral fractures call for identification of factors that may influence HRQoL, as some of these factors may be modifiable. The objective is to examine the independent associations between HRQoL, physical function and pain in older women with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture. METHODS: This study has a cross-sectional design, using data from 149 home-dwelling Norwegian women with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture, aged 65+. Data on HRQoL (Short Form 36 (SF-36), Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (QUALEFFO-41)), physical function (walking speed, balance and strength), pain, as well as sociodemographic information were collected. Simple linear regression analyses were conducted and multivariable regression models were fitted to investigate the associations. RESULTS: Lower levels of HRQoL were significantly associated with lower levels of physical function, measured by walking speed, and higher levels of pain. Pain was significantly associated with all of the subscales in SF-36, with the exception of Mental Health and Mental Component Score, and all the subscales of QUALEFFO-41. Walking speed was significantly associated with 5 of 8 subscales of SF-36 (except Bodily Pain, Vitality, Mental Health and Mental Component Score), and with 4 of 6 subscales of QUALEFFO-41 (except Score Pain and Mood). CONCLUSION: This study shows that pain and walking speed were, independently of one another, associated with HRQoL in older women with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture. These findings can inform clinicians and health managers about the importance of pain management and exercise interventions in health care for this group. Future research should address interventions targeting both physical function and pain with HRQoL as an outcome. REGISTRATION: ClincialTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02781974. Registered 18.05.16. Retrospectively registered.

The performance of osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians (OSTA) in identifying the risk of osteoporosis among Malaysian population aged 40 years and above.

The concordance between osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians (OSTA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was fair in the study. Modification of OSTA cutoff values improved its sensitivity to identify subjects at risk for suboptimal bone health (osteopenia/osteoporosis) and osteoporosis. PURPOSE: Osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians (OSTA) is a convenient screening algorithm used widely to identify patients at risk of osteoporosis. Currently, the number of studies validating OSTA in Malaysian population is limited. This study aimed to validate the performance of OSTA in identifying subjects with osteoporosis determined with DXA. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 786 Malaysians in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Their bone health status was assessed by DXA and OSTA. The association and agreement between OSTA and bone mineral density assessment by DXA were determined by Pearson's correlation and Cohen's kappa, respectively. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) for OSTA. RESULTS: OSTA and DXA showed a fair association in the study (r = 0.382, κ = 0.159, p < 0.001). OSTA (cutoff < - 1) revealed a sensitivity of 32.3%, specificity of 92.3%, and AUC of 0.618 in identifying subjects with suboptimal bone health. The sensitivity of OSTA (cutoff < - 4) in determining subjects at risk of osteoporosis was better among women (sensitivity = 20%) than men (sensitivity = 0%). Modified OSTA cutoff values improved the sensitivity of OSTA in identifying subjects with suboptimal bone health (men = 81.0% at cutoff 3.4, women = 82.8% at cutoff 2.0) and osteoporosis (men = 81.8% at cutoff 1.8, women = 81.3% at cutoff 0.8). CONCLUSION: OSTA with its original cutoff values is ineffective in identifying individuals at risk for osteoporosis. Adjusting the cutoff values significantly increases the sensitivity of OSTA, thus highlighting the need to validate this instrument among the local population before using it for osteoporosis screening clinically.

Long-term outcome of patients with pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO) with a particular focus on quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO) is a very rare form of osteoporosis. Vertebral fractures either occur in the last trimester of pregnancy or after childbirth. Pathogenesis is still unclear. Until recently, almost no data existed in regards to the quality of life and long-term clinical outcome of patients with PLO. OBJECTIVES: To determine the long-term clinical outcome of patients with pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO) with respect to the following factors: pain, quality of life, mental condition, vertebral fractures, and capacity to work. METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study, patients were reviewed for at least 2 years, more than 50% of them were followed up until menopause. Bone density (DXA) and vertebral fractures were assessed. Standardized questionnaires were used to analyze factors such as quality of life (Qualeffo-41), anxiety and depression (PHQ-4), and pain (the visual analog scale [VAS]). Additionally, a questionnaire was designed in order to evaluate and discuss some of the reasons behind the occurrence of mental distress at the onset of symptoms. RESULTS: Our report shows the clinical course of 20 patients with PLO, 11 of them until menopause (on average 16.3 years after onset of symptoms). When diagnosis was made, 5.4 vertebral fractures were noticed on average. Three of the 20 patients developed subsequent fractures in the following years. The diagnosis of PLO was made on average after 3.3 months after the onset of symptoms. At the beginning of the investigation, physical and mental health of all patients were poor, but improved within the first 2 years and continued doing so until menopause. The average time it took to return to employment was 3.3 years. CONCLUSION: PLO has a significant impact on pain, mental state, quality of life, and capacity to work. However, the long-term prognosis is promising. The severe mental distress is presumably related to several contributing factors in life such as physical integrity and independence, family life, employment, and financial security.Key Points• PLO has a strong impact on quality of life and can lead to severe mental distress.• At onset of symptoms, patients with PLO are in very poor mental and physical condition; however, the long-term outcome after inpatient rehabilitation seems to be good.• Most patients do not suffer subsequent vertebral fractures until the menopause.

Chinese patients' preference for pharmaceutical treatments of osteoporosis: a discrete choice experiment.

While adherence to osteoporosis treatment is low, patients' preference for osteoporosis treatment is unknown in Chinese patients. Chinese patients are willing to receive treatments with higher clinical efficacy and lower out-of-pocket cost. In addition, annual intravenous infusion and 6-month subcutaneous injection are preferred over weekly oral tablets. PURPOSE: This study was performed to elicit Chinese patients' preferences for osteoporosis medication treatment and to investigate the heterogeneities of the preferences in subgroups. METHODS: A discrete choice experiment comprising 15 choice sets with 4 important attributes was conducted in a Chinese population at risk of osteoporotic fracture. The four attributes were treatment efficacy in reducing the risk of fracture, out-of-pocket cost per year, adverse effects of treatment, and mode of administration. The patients were asked to choose between two hypothetical treatments; they could also choose no treatment. Mixed logit models were used, and any observed heterogeneity in the patients' preferences was further assessed in subgroup analyses. RESULTS: In total, 267 patients were analysed. On average, the patients preferred to receive treatment rather than no treatment. The patients preferred treatment with higher efficacy in preventing fracture and lower out-of-pocket cost. The least preferred adverse effect of medication was gastrointestinal disorders, followed by flu-like symptoms and finally skin reactions. The most preferred mode of administration was annual intravenous infusion, followed by 6-month subcutaneous injection, a weekly oral tablet, and daily nasal spray; daily oral tablets ranked as the least preferred mode of administration. The differences in the patients' preferences among all attributes were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Patients' age was found to contribute to the observed preference heterogeneity in most of the included attributes. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed Chinese patients' preferences for osteoporosis treatments. Annual intravenous infusion and 6-month subcutaneous injection were significantly preferred over weekly oral tablets in this Chinese population.