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Background: This radiological study aims to assess the prevalence of lateral elbow pathology in an asymptomatic population using 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Bilateral elbow MRI was undertaken in 30 asymptomatic volunteers. Exclusion criteria included elbow pain within 3 months, elbow trauma or previous diagnosis of lateral epicondylar tendinopathy. Baseline patient-reported outcome measures were recorded along with age and body mass index (BMI). Two musculoskeletal radiologists independently graded the degree of abnormality at the common extensor tendon. Results: Thirty volunteers were categorised according to age; 35-44 (n = 10), 45-54 (n = 11), and 55-65 (n = 9) with a 1:1 male-to-female ratio. Radiological evidence of tendon abnormality was found in 37% of volunteers. The proportion with abnormal findings increased with age; 35-44 (10%), 45-54 (36%), 55-65 (67%) and BMI; 18-24.9 (23%), 25-29.9 (43%), > 30 (67%). Changes were generally 'mild' or 'moderate', with a single volunteer showing 'severe' pathology. Kappa for the radiographic agreement was 0.91 (0.83-0.98). Discussion: This study has demonstrated MRI findings suggestive of pathology at the common extensor tendon to be prevalent in an asymptomatic population, increasing with age and BMI. This draws into question the diagnostic and prognostic value of MRI imaging in lateral epicondylar tendinopathy, especially in older patients.
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CONTEXT: Prolonged bisphosphonate (BP) treatment for osteoporosis prevents hip and other fractures but causes atypical femoral fractures (AFF). OBJECTIVE: To establish the relationship between patterns of BP use and the risk of AFF and hip fractures. Other potential risk factors for AFF were also examined. DESIGN: Population-based case-cohort study. SETTING: The Danish National Healthcare system maintains longitudinal records of medication use, healthcare utilization, and x-ray images. PARTICIPANTS: Among all 1.9 million Danish adults ≥50, those with subtrochanteric or femoral shaft fractures between 2010-2015 (n = 4,973) were identified and compared to a random sample (n = 37,021). PREDICTORS: Bisphosphonate use was collected from 1995-2015. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fracture radiographs (n = 4,769) were reviewed by blinded study radiologists to identify AFFs (n = 181) using established criteria. Traditional hip fractures in the random sample (n = 691) were identified by ICD-10. RESULTS: Compared to <1 year of BP use, 5-7 years of use was associated with a 7-fold increase in AFF [adjusted HR = 7.29 (CI: 3.07,17.30)]; the risk of AFF fell quickly after discontinuation. The 5-year number-needed-to-harm for one AFF was 1,424, while the 5-year number-needed-to-treat to prevent one hip fracture was 56. Glucocorticoid and proton pump inhibitor use were independently associated with increased AFF risk. Thirty-one percent of those with AFF had no BP exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of AFF increases with duration of BP use but the beneficial effects of BP therapy in adults ≥50 dramatically exceed this increased risk. Nearly one-third of those with AFF have no BP exposure.