Improving Osteoporosis Prediction Using Vertebral Bone Quality Score and Paravertebral Muscle Measurements From Lumbar MRI Scans.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to use a novel method of combining vertebral bone quality score with paravertebral cross-sectional area measurements to improve the accuracy of predicting individuals with total hip T-scores <-2.5. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition associated with decreased bone density and increased fracture risk. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the conventional method for diagnosing osteoporosis, but it has limitations. Opportunistic osteoporosis screening techniques using lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particularly the vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score, have shown promise. This study aims to improve the accuracy of predicting individuals with low total hip T-scores using a novel method that combines VBQ scores with paravertebral cross-sectional area (CSA) measurements. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 98 patients with DXA and lumbar MRI scans was analyzed. VBQ scores were calculated based on lumbar MRI images, and CSA measurements of paravertebral and psoas muscles were obtained. Threshold-based logistic regression was used to identify optimal thresholds for predicting total hip T-scores <-2.5. RESULTS: The combined model incorporating the VBQ score and paravertebral muscle percent achieved an accuracy of 96.9% for predicting total hip T-scores <-2.5, compared to 81.6% when using the VBQ score alone. Incorporating paravertebral muscle measurements significantly improved the accuracy of identifying osteoporotic individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of VBQ score and paravertebral muscle measurements enhances the accuracy of predicting individuals with low total hip T-scores. Lumbar MRI scans provide valuable information beyond opportunistic osteoporosis screening, and the inclusion of paravertebral muscle measurements could aid in identifying at-risk individuals more accurately.

The effects of hydroxychloroquine-induced oxidative stress on fracture healing in an experimental rat model.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) sulfate causes oxidative stress (OS) and its effect on fracture healing in an experimental rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, open diaphyseal femur fractures were induced in 24 eight-week-old male rats (mean weight: 225±25 g; range, 200 to 250 g) and then fixed with K-wire. The rats were divided into four groups: HCQ-2, control-2 (C-2), HCQ-4, and control-4 (C-4). During the study period, rats in the HCQ groups received an HCQ solution (160 mg/kg/day), whereas rats in the control groups received saline. The HCQ-2 and C-2 groups were sacrificed on the 14th day, and the HCQ-4 and C-4 groups were sacrificed on the 28th day. After sacrifice, malondialdehyde levels induced by OS were calculated for each rat, and fracture healing was evaluated radiographically, histomorphometrically, histopathologically, and immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Malondialdehyde levels were higher in the HCQ groups than in the control groups (p<0.05). Hydroxychloroquine caused OS in rats. The ratio of total callus diameter to femur bone diameter was lower in HCQ groups compared to control groups (p<0.05). No differences were observed when comparing radiological and histological healing results between the control and HCQ groups. Alkaline phosphatase levels were lower in the HCQ-4 group than the C-4 group at week four (p<0.05), although osteocalcin and osteopontin levels did not differ between groups (p>0.05). Oxidative stress had no adverse effects on histologic healing outcomes and osteoblast functions. Cathepsin K and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b levels were higher in the HCQ-4 group than in the C-4 group (p<0.05). While the number and function of osteoclasts increased due to OS in callus tissue, a decrease in the number of chondrocytes was observed. CONCLUSION: Hydroxychloroquine-induced OS increases the number and function of osteoclasts and decreases the number of hypertrophic chondrocytes and endochondral ossification but has no significant effect on mid-late osteoblast products and histological fracture healing scores.

Vertebral bone quality score for opportunistic osteoporosis screening: a correlation and optimal threshold analysis.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score as a potential tool for opportunistic osteoporosis screening and its correlation with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) values. METHODS: In a single-center retrospective cohort of 130 patients, VBQ and DXA measures were compared using various statistical analyses. The optimal VBQ threshold for predicting osteoporosis was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: VBQ exhibited a significant negative association with DXA values, suggesting that higher VBQ scores are indicative of lower bone density. Age and VBQ were significant predictors of osteoporosis, with both increasing the log-odds of the condition. An optimal VBQ threshold of 2.7 was determined, demonstrating fair discriminatory power and high negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: The study highlighted the potential of VBQ as a diagnostic tool for osteoporosis with high intra- and inter-observer reliability. The optimal VBQ threshold of 2.7 can aid in ruling out osteoporosis and identifying individuals for further evaluation.