Argentine Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women and Men Aged 50 Years and Older.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to provide an evidence-based framework to guide health care professionals treating patients under glucocorticoid (GC) therapy and develop guidelines for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) in postmenopausal women and men aged ≥50 years. METHODS: An expert panel on bone diseases designed a series of clinically meaningful questions following the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome) structure. Using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) methodology, we made a systematic literature review, extracted and summarized the effect estimates, and graded the quality of the evidence. The expert panel voted each PICO question and made recommendations after reaching an agreement of at least 70%. RESULTS: Seventeen recommendations (9 strong and 8 conditional) and 8 general principles were developed for postmenopausal women and men aged ≥50 years under GC treatment. Bone mineral density (BMD), occurrence of fragility fractures, probability of fracture at 10 years by Fracture Risk Assessment Tool, and other screening factors for low BMD are recommended for patient evaluation and stratification according to fragility fracture risk. The treatment of patients under GC therapy should include counseling on lifestyle habits and strict control of comorbidities. The goal of GIO treatment is the nonoccurrence of new fragility fractures as well as to increase or maintain BMD in certain clinical situations. This was considered for the therapeutic approach in different clinical scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: This GIO guideline provides evidence-based guidance for health care providers treating patients.

Serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and the risk of fractures in the teriparatide versus risedronate VERO clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Using data from the 2-year, randomized, double-dummy VERO trial, we examined the changes in 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations over time, and whether the fracture risk reduction of teriparatide versus risedronate varies by baseline 25(OH)D sufficiency category. METHODS: Postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis received subcutaneous daily teriparatide 20 µg or oral weekly risedronate 35 mg, with concomitant 500-1000 mg of elemental calcium and 400-800 IU/day of vitamin D supplements. Fracture endpoints were analyzed by predefined subgroups of 25(OH)D insufficient and sufficient patients. Heterogeneity of the treatment effect on fractures was investigated by logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: At baseline, mean serum 25(OH)D was 31.9 ng/mL in the teriparatide group and 31.5 ng/mL in the risedronate group, and 16.8% and 17.9% of patients, respectively, were 25(OH)D insufficient. At month 6, the mean serum 25(OH)D concentration decreased in teriparatide-treated patients to 24.5 ng/mL (by approximately 23%) but remained relatively constant in risedronate-treated patients (32.2 ng/mL) (p < 0.001). Proportions of 25(OH)D insufficient patients at month 6 were 26.7% and 5.6%, respectively (p < 0.001). The risk reduction with teriparatide versus risedronate for any of the fracture endpoints did not significantly differ between subgroups by 25(OH)D sufficiency status at baseline, with nonsignificant (p > 0.1) treatment-by-25(OH)D interactions in all fracture analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Serum 25(OH)D concentration decreases during teriparatide treatment. Fracture risk reduction with teriparatide versus risedronate did not significantly differ between the two groups of patients defined by baseline 25(OH)D. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01709110 EudraCT Number: 2012-000123-41.

Effects of Teriparatide Compared with Risedronate on the Risk of Fractures in Subgroups of Postmenopausal Women with Severe Osteoporosis: The VERO Trial.

The 2-year, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled fracture endpoint VERO study included postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis, who had at least 2 moderate or 1 severe baseline vertebral fractures (VFx), and bone mineral density (BMD) T-score ≤-1.5. Patients were treated with either s.c. daily teriparatide 20 µg or oral weekly risedronate 35 mg. As previously reported, the risk of new VFx and clinical fractures (a composite of clinical VFx and nonvertebral fragility fractures [NVFFx]) was statistically significantly reduced with teriparatide compared with risedronate. Here we present the prospectively planned subgroup analyses of fracture data across subgroups, which were predefined by the following baseline characteristics: age, number and severity of prevalent VFx, prevalent nonvertebral fractures (NVFx), glucocorticoid use, prior osteoporosis drugs, recent bisphosphonate use, clinical VFx in the year before study entry, and baseline BMD. Heterogeneity of the treatment effect on the primary endpoint (new VFx), and the four key secondary endpoints (including clinical fractures and NVFFx) were investigated by logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models. A total of 1360 women were randomized and treated (680 per group). Mean age was 72.1 years, mean (SD) number of prevalent VFx was 2.7 (2.1), 55.4% had a BMD T-score <-2.5, 36.5% had a recent clinical VFx, 28.3% had a prior major NVFx, 43.2% were osteoporosis drug-naïve, 39.3% were recent bisphosphonate users, and 9.3% were taking glucocorticoids at a prednisone-equivalent dose of >5 mg/d. For most fracture endpoints, the risk reduction of teriparatide versus risedronate did not significantly differ in any of the subgroups analyzed (treatment-by-subgroup interaction p > 0.1), with most subgroups mirroring results from the total study population. In conclusion, in postmenopausal women with severe osteoporosis, the antifracture efficacy of teriparatide compared with risedronate was consistent in a wide range of patient settings, including treatment-naïve and previously treated patients. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc.

Effects of teriparatide and risedronate on new fractures in post-menopausal women with severe osteoporosis (VERO): a multicentre, double-blind, double-dummy, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: No clinical trials have compared osteoporosis drugs with incident fractures as the primary outcome. We compared the anti-fracture efficacy of teriparatide with risedronate in patients with severe osteoporosis. METHODS: In this double-blind, double-dummy trial, we enrolled post-menopausal women with at least two moderate or one severe vertebral fracture and a bone mineral density T score of less than or equal to -1·50. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 20 µg of teriparatide once daily plus oral weekly placebo or 35 mg of oral risedronate once weekly plus daily injections of placebo for 24 months. The primary outcome was new radiographic vertebral fractures. Secondary, gated outcomes included new and worsened radiographic vertebral fractures, clinical fractures (a composite of non-vertebral and symptomatic vertebral), and non-vertebral fractures. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01709110) and EudraCT (2012-000123-41). FINDINGS: We enrolled 680 patients in each group. At 24 months, new vertebral fractures occurred in 28 (5·4%) of 680 patients in the teriparatide group and 64 (12·0%) of 680 patients in the risedronate group (risk ratio 0·44, 95% CI 0·29-0·68; p<0·0001). Clinical fractures occurred in 30 (4·8%) of 680 patients in the teriparatide group compared with 61 (9·8%) of 680 in the risedronate group (hazard ratio 0·48, 95% CI 0·32-0·74; p=0·0009). Non-vertebral fragility fractures occurred in 25 (4·0%) patients in the teriparatide group and 38 (6·1%) in the risedronate group (hazard ratio 0·66; 95% CI 0·39-1·10; p=0·10). INTERPRETATION: Among post-menopausal women with severe osteoporosis, the risk of new vertebral and clinical fractures is significantly lower in patients receiving teriparatide than in those receiving risedronate. FUNDING: Lilly.

Baja masa ósea, osteoporosis primaria y secundaria en mujeres premenopáusicas / Low bone mass, primary and secondary osteoporosis in premenopausal women / Baixa massa óssea e osteoporose primária e secundária em mulheres na premenopáusicas

Existe escasa información sobre baja masa ósea y osteoporosis en mujeres premenopáusicas. Solo el 2% de las mujeres jóvenes consulta para evaluar la presencia de osteoporosis. En el 50% de las mujeres premenopáusicas que presentan una disminución de su masa ósea se diagnostican enfermedades o medicaciones que la provocan. Las causas deben ser cuidadosamente investigadas para no emitir un diagnóstico apresurado de osteoporosis premenopáusica. Al diagnóstico de baja masa ósea se arriba luego de descartar las causas que ocasionan osteoporosis secundaria y su etiología se relaciona genéticamente con un bajo pico de masa ósea. El cuadro de osteoporosis primaria presenta una densidad mineral ósea (DMO) muy disminuida y fracturas óseas por fragilidad. La etiología no es clara aún, la genética marca el 50-80% de lo que sucede con la masa ósea. Se ha encontrado en diferentes poblaciones, una disminución de la función osteoblástica, resistencia a IGF1, disminución de la hormona de crecimiento, bajos niveles de estradiol, alteración de la expresión del receptor a-estrogénico de los osteoblastos, alteración de la dinámica de secreción de la PTH y aumento de la excresión de interleuquina 1. El diagnóstico se realiza por densitometría, marcadores bioquímicos óseos y radiografías de columna dorsal y lumbar que permiten visualizar fracturas vertebrales asintomáticas. La International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) y las guías argentinas para osteoporosis sugieren definir la DMO premenopáusica por Z-score y se considera normal hasta -2.0. El tratamiento se basa fundamentalmente en generar hábitos saludables para el hueso: ingesta de calcio y vitamina D o suplementos de calcio y vitamina D, actividad física, evitar sustancias perjudiciales como alcohol y tabaco en exceso. Cuando la DMO es muy baja o existe una pérdida acelerada de DMO o fracturas por fragilidad, el tratamiento con teriparatide ha demostrado ser efectivo. Los bifosfonatos solo deben indicarse en situaciones especiales de osteoporosis. Cuando se diagnostica una osteoporosis secundaria, el tratamiento es el de la enfermedad que la provoca. Cada paciente debe ser analizada con mucha prudencia para arribar al diagnóstico correcto y al mejor tratamiento.

There is little information about low bone mass and osteoporosis in premenopausal women. Only 2% of young women consult to evaluate the presence of osteoporosis. A total of 50% of premenopausal women have a disease or take a medication that lessens their bone mass. The causes must be carefully investigated to arrive at a correct diagnosis. Diagnosing low bone mass up after ruling out secondary osteoporosis and its etiology is genetically related to low peak bone mass. Primary osteoporosis presents a very reduced bone mineral density (BMD) with bone fragility fractures. The etiology is not clear yet: genetics marks 50-80% of what happens with bone mass. Decreased osteoblast function, IGF1 resistance, decreased growth hormone, low estradiol levels, altered expression receptor a-estrogenic of osteoblasts, altered dynamics of PTH secretion, and increased excretion of interleukin-1 have been found in different populations. The diagnosis is not only performed by densitometry but also through bone biochemical markers and radiographs of thoracic and lumbar spine radiographs that can diagnose asymptomatic vertebral fractures. The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) and Argentine guidelines suggest definition premenopausal osteoporosis by BMD Z -score, in which a value up to -2.0 is considered normal. The treatment is based primarily on healthy habits for the bone: intake of calcium and vitamin D or calcium and vitamin D supplements, physical activity, and avoiding damaging substances to the bone, like alcohol and tobacco in excess. When BMD is very low or there is a rapid loss of BMD or fragility fractures, teriparatide treatment has proven effective. The bisphosphonates should be indicated only in special patients with osteoporosis. When a secondary osteoporosis is diagnosed, the treatment given is for the disease that has caused it. Each patient must be analyzed with great care to arrive at the correct diagnosis and the best treatment.

Há pouca informação sobre baixa massa óssea e osteoporose em mulheres na pré-menopausa. Apenas 2% das mulheres jovens consulta para avaliar a presença de osteoporose. 50% das mulheres premenopáusicas que apresentam diminuição da massa óssea são diagnosticadas como causas doenças ou medicamentos. As causas devem ser cuidadosamente investigadas para emitir um diagnóstico rápido de osteoporose premenopáusica. Chega-se ao diagnóstico de baixa massa óssea após descartar as causas que provocam osteoporose secundária e sua etiologia é geneticamente relacionada com baixo pico de massa óssea. O quadro de osteoporose primária apresenta densidade mineral óssea (DMO) muito diminuída e fraturas ósseas por fragilidade. A etiologia ainda não está clara, a genética marca 50-80% do que acontece com a massa óssea. Foi encontrada em diferentes populações diminuição da função osteoblástica, resistência a IGF1, diminuição do hormônio de crescimento, baixos níveis de estradiol, alteração da expressão do receptor a-estrogênico dos osteoblastos, alteração da dinâmica de secreção de PTH, aumento da excreção de interleucina 1. O diagnóstco é realizado por densitometria, marcadores bioquímicos ósseos e radiografias de coluna dorsal e lombar que permitem visualizar fraturas vertebrais assintomáticas. A International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) e os Guias argentinos para osteoporose sugerem definir a DMO por Z-score e se considera normal até -2,0. O tratamento baseia-se principalmente em gerar hábitos saudáveis para o osso: ingestão de cálcio e vitamina D ou suplementos de cálcio e vitamina D, atividade física, evitar substâncias prejudiciais como álcool e tabaco em excesso. Quando a DMO é muito baixa ou há uma rápida perda de DMO ou fraturas por fragilidade, o tratamento com teriparatide demonstrou ser eficaz. Os bifosfonatos só devem ser indicados em situações especiais osteoporose. Quando uma osteoporose secundária é diagnosticada, o tratamento é o da doença que a provoca. Cada paciente deve ser analisado com muito cuidado para chegar ao diagnóstico correto e o melhor tratamento.

Evaluación de la respuesta densitométrica en pacientes con osteoporosis posmenopáusica tratadas con ranelato de estroncio o denosumab / Densitometric response in postmenopausal osteoporosis treated with strontium ranelate or denosumab

Tanto el ranelato de estroncio (RSr) como el denosumab (Dmab) son eficaces en el tratamiento de la osteoporosis (OP) posmenopáusica (PM). El efecto de cada fármaco por separado sobre la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) ha sido estudiado recientemente. Con ambas drogas se observó, al año de tratamiento, un aumento significativo de la DMO en columna lumbar (CL), cuello femoral (CF) y cadera total (CT). En este trabajo comparamos la respuesta densitométrica al año de tratamiento con una y otra droga. Utilizamos los registros de 425 pacientes PMOP tratadas con Dmab y 441 tratadas con RSr. En cada paciente analizamos el porcentaje de cambio; se clasificaron como respondedoras aquellas que mostraron un cambio ≥3%. Adicionalmente se comparó la respuesta en pacientes no previamente tratadas con bifosfonatos (BF-naïve) en comparación con pacientes que habían recibido previamente un BF. Al analizar el grupo completo para Dmab, el porcentaje de pacientes respondedoras fue de 68,4% en CL, 63,3% en CF y 49,3% en CT. Por otro lado, en el grupo de pacientes tratadas con RSr, el porcentaje de respondedoras (53,8% en CL, 40,0% en CF y 35,6% en CT) fue estadísticamente menor. Cuando comparamos la respuesta entre las pacientes BF-naïve que recibieron RSr o Dmab, el Dmab indujo mayor respuesta en CL y CF que el grupo RSr, sin diferencias en CT. Cuando se analizaron los subgrupos BF-previo, las tratadas con Dmab mostraron mayor respuesta en todas las regiones. Conclusión: en pacientes con OP-PM, el tratamiento con Dmab produjo mayores incrementos densitométricos que el RSr, siendo el porcentaje de pacientes respondedoras mayor con Dmab que con RSr. (AU)

Both strontium ranelate (SrR) and denosumab (Dmab) are effective in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP). The effect of each drug on bone mineral density (BMD) has been studied separately by us. With both treatments, there was a significant increase after one year of treatment at the lumbar spine (LS) and hip. In this paper we compared the densitometric response after one year of treatment with both drugs used separately. We used the clinical records of 425 PM patients treated with Dmab and 441 treated with SrR. For each patient we analyzed the percentage of change; those who showed a change ≥3% were classified as responders. Additionally, the response was compared in patients not previously treated with bisphosphonates (BP-naïve) compared to patients who had previously received a BP. When analyzing the complete group for Dmab, the percentage of "responders" was 65.2% at the LS, 62.9% at the femoral neck (FN) and 47.4% at the total hip (TH). On the other hand, in the group of patients treated with SrR the percentage of responders (53.8% at the LS, 40.0% at the FN and 35.6% at the TH) was statistically lower. When comparing the response between in BF-naïve patients receiving RSr or Dmab, Dmab induced a greater response at the LS and FN than the RSr group, with no statistical differences at the TH. When the subgroups with prior BP treatment were analyzed, those treated with Dmab showed greater response in all regions. Conclusion: in patients with PMOP treatment with Dmab produced greater densitometric increments than SrR, and the percentage of responders was higher with Dmab than with SrR. (AU)

Prevalence of Osteoporosis in Women in Buenos Aires Based on Bone Mineral Density at the Lumbar Spine and Femur.

The aim of the study was to report values for osteoporosis (OP) prevalence in Buenos Aires. Bone mineral density (BMD) at different skeletal sites was measured from November 2012 to July 2014. Participants were recruited through a newspaper advertisement inviting women at least 50 yr of age to receive free BMD measurement. After signing an informed consent form, 5448 women living in Buenos Aires and surrounding districts were studied. Lumbar spine (L1-L4), femur neck, and total hip BMDs were measured (Lunar Prodigy, software version 12.3 GE, Madison, WI, USA). OP was defined as a T-score ≤-2.5 at the lumbar spine or the femoral neck. Results showed that 1021 out of 5448 studied subjects (18.7%) had OP at the lumbar spine or the femoral neck. Comparison of age of the population sample with reference data for the general population showed a moderate (+0.6%) increase in prevalence. Prevalence of OP was low, up to the age of 70 yr when based on femoral neck BMD only. Conversely, the prevalence of OP at the lumbar spine, which was reportedly high in women up to the age of 70 yr, tended to level off over that age. The results of the total femur only added a slight (+0.7%) nonsignificant increase to the OP prevalence. A total 346,500 out of 1,853,000 women aged 50+ yr in Buenos Aires had OP at the lumbar spine or femoral neck, whereas only 163,500 had OP at the upper femur, reducing the number by 53%. The present study assessed OP prevalence in the most densely populated urban area in Argentina. The results are similar to those reported for Caucasian populations in the United States and Canada. As measurement of only the BMD of femoral neck overlooks the diagnosis in half of the women, future studies should include measurement of the lumbar spine in combination with the femoral neck for a more accurate estimation of OP prevalence.

Prevalencia de osteoporosis: discrepancia de acuerdo a las áreas esqueléticas de medición / Prevalence of osteoporosis: discrepancy according to the skeletal areas of evaluation

Existe discrepancia en la elección de las áreas esqueléticas a evaluar para determinar la prevalencia de osteoporosis (OP). La International Society for Clinical Densitometry sugiere evaluar la columna lumbar (CL) y el fémur proximal (FT), mientras que la International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) sugiere medir solo el cuello femoral (CF). La estimación de la prevalencia de OP evaluada solo por CF en mujeres mayores de 50 años de Buenos Aires mostró un sub-diagnóstico del 53%. Objetivo: analizar la discrepancia en la prevalencia de OP, según el área esquelética evaluada por DXA, en los estudios internacionales disponibles. Materiales y Métodos: Se incluyeron los trabajos publicados en la literatura internacional, en idioma inglés que contenían: 1. Medición simultánea de CL y CF. 2. Análisis por décadas a partir de los 50 años y hasta por lo menos la década 70-79. 3. Diagnóstico densitométrico de osteoporosis con el criterio de la OMS: T-score ≤-2.5. Resultados: fueron incluidos doce estudios. La evaluación de estos estudios arrojó un sub-diagnóstico global del 52 % si la prevalencia de OP fuera estimada solo por la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) de CF. Cuando analizamos por décadas la sub-estimación fue del 75% en la 6a década, 58% en la 7a década y del 22% en 8a década, mostrando claramente que el subdiagnóstico disminuye a medida que aumenta la edad y desaparece después de los 80 años. Conclusión: Estos resultados señalan que la prevalencia de OP debe ser determinada a través de la evaluación de la DMO de ambas áreas esqueléticas: CL y CF. (AU)

There is discrepancy in the election of skeletal areas to be measured to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis.The International Society for Clinical Densitometry suggests evaluating the lumbar spine and proximal femur, while the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) suggests measuring only the femoral neck.The estimate of the prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) evaluated only for femoral neck (FN) in women over 50 years of Buenos Aires showed underdiagnosis of 53%. Objective: To analyze the discrepancy on the prevalence of OP, according to the skeletal area evaluated by DXA, in international studies. Material and Methods: We included the works published in the international English literature that contained: 1- Simultaneous measurement of lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN). 2- Analysis for decades from 50 years and up to at least the decade 70-79. 3- Densitometric diagnosis of osteoporosis according to WHO: T-score ≤-2.5. Results: Twelve studies were included. The evaluation of these studies showed an overall underdiagnosis of 52% if the prevalence of OP was estimated only for bone mineral density of the femoral neck.When we analyzed for decades the underestimation was 75% in the sixth decade, 58% in the seventh and 22% in the eighth decade, clearly showing that the underdiagnosis decreases as age increases and disappears after 80 years. Conclusion: This over-all review of 12 studies indicates that lumbar spine as well as femoral neck should be assessed by DXA to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis. (AU)

Guías 2012 para el diagnóstico, la prevención y el tratamiento de la osteoporosis / [Guidelines for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, 2012].

Osteoporosis is a constantly growing disease which affects over 200 million people worldwide. The present recommendations are guidelines for its diagnosis, prevention and treatment, but they do not constitute standards for clinical decisions in individual patients. The physician must adapt them to individual patients and special situations, incorporating personal factors that transcend the limits of these guidelines and are dependent on the knowledge and art of the physician. These guidelines should be reviewed and updated periodically as new, better and more effective diagnostic and therapeutic tools become available.

[Guidelines for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, 2012]. / Guías 2012 para el diagnóstico, la prevención y el tratamiento de la osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a constantly growing disease which affects over 200 million people worldwide. The present recommendations are guidelines for its diagnosis, prevention and treatment, but they do not constitute standards for clinical decisions in individual patients. The physician must adapt them to individual patients and special situations, incorporating personal factors that transcend the limits of these guidelines and are dependent on the knowledge and art of the physician. These guidelines should be reviewed and updated periodically as new, better and more effective diagnostic and therapeutic tools become available.

Guías 2012 para el diagnóstico, la prevención y el tratamiento de la osteoporosis. / [Guidelines for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, 2012].

Osteoporosis is a constantly growing disease which affects over 200 million people worldwide. The present recommendations are guidelines for its diagnosis, prevention and treatment, but they do not constitute standards for clinical decisions in individual patients. The physician must adapt them to individual patients and special situations, incorporating personal factors that transcend the limits of these guidelines and are dependent on the knowledge and art of the physician. These guidelines should be reviewed and updated periodically as new, better and more effective diagnostic and therapeutic tools become available.

Increase in android fat mass with age in healthy women with normal body mass index.

Body fat distribution is gender specific: men tend to accumulate adipose tissue in the android region, whereas women tend to do so in the gynoid region. The aim of the study was to assess total fat mass (TFM), android fat (AF), and gynoid fat (GF) mass in a selected group of healthy adult women with normal body mass index (BMI) to evaluate variations in fat distribution. Seventy-seven women (20--69yr of age) with BMI values between ≥18.5 and ≤24.9kg/m(2) were included. TMF, AF, GF, and the AF to GF ratio (A:G) were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results showed an increase in AF after the fifth decade of life (D), which reached statistical significance in the sixth and seventh decades (p<0.05--0.008), a 33% increase in kg of AF between the fourth and seventh and a 20% increase in A:G between the third and the seventh, with no significant changes in TFM and GF. In normal BMI women, age appears to be associated with changes in fat mass distribution with an increase in AF, which might have potential deleterious health consequences, after the fifth D.

[FRAX: a new instrument for calculating 10-year absolute fracture risk]. / FRAX: un nuevo instrumento para calcular el riesgo absoluto de fracturas a 10 años.

The efficacy of new pharmacological agents for the prevention of osteoporotic fractures and the clinical decision to intervene with that purpose in daily medical practice have been guided by the evaluation of bone mineral density (BMD). However, given the multifactorial nature of the proposed endpoint, a new calculator has been proposed: Fracture Risk Assessment Tool FRAX, which follows the same objectives of previous models, but integrates and combines several of those factors according to their relative weight. It can estimate absolute risk of hip fracture (or a combination of osteoporotic fractures) for the following 10 years. The calculator could be adapted for use in any country by the incorporation of hip fracture incidence and age- and sex-adjusted life expectancy in the same country. This instrument has been presented as a new paradigm to assist in clinical and therapeutic decision-making. In the present review some of its characteristics are discussed, such as: the purported applicability to different populations, the convenience of using 10-year absolute fracture risk for the whole age range under consideration, and whether the efficacy of pharmacological treatment for the prevention of bone fractures in osteoporotic patients can be expected to be equally effective among patients selected for treatment on the basis of this model. Finally, we would like to call attention to the fact that risk thresholds for intervention are not yet clearly defined; those thresholds can obviously be expected to have a profound impact on the number of patients amenable to treatment.

FRAX TM: un nuevo instrumento para calcular el riesgo absoluto de fracturas a 10 años / FRAX TM: A new instrument for calculating 10-year absolute fracture risk

La eficacia de nuevos agentes farmacológicos para la prevención de fracturas osteoporóticas y la decisión de intervención con la misma finalidad en la práctica clínica han sido guiadas por la evaluación de la densitometría ósea (DMO). Sin embargo, reconociendo la naturaleza multifactorial de ese desenlace, recientemente se dio a conocer el calculador Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX™) que persiguiendo los mismos objetivos de modelos previos, integra y combina varios de esos factores ponderadamente para estimar el riesgo absoluto de fractura de cadera o un combinado de fracturas osteoporóticas para los siguientes 10 años. El mismo sería ajustable a cualquier país incorporando al modelo la incidencia de fractura de cadera y las expectativas de vida edad- y sexo-específicas para la población a que pertenece el individuo. Este instrumento es presentado como un nuevo paradigma para ayudar en la toma de decisiones terapéuticas, especialmente farmacológicas. En la presente revisión se discuten algunas de sus características, como ser: la pretendida aplicabilidad a poblaciones de distintos países, la conveniencia de utilizar el riesgo absoluto a 10 años para todo el espectro etario de interés y si la eficacia de los tratamientos farmacológicos para la prevención de fracturas óseas en pacientes osteoporóticos podrá comprobarse también en pacientes seleccionados para tratamiento en base a este modelo. Finalmente, se llama la atención sobre el hecho de que aún no están claramente determinados los umbrales de riesgo orientadores para la toma de decisiones, los que obviamente tendrán un relevante impacto en el número de pacientes pasibles de tratamiento.

The efficacy of new pharmacological agents for the prevention of osteoporotic fractures and the clinical decision to intervene with that purpose in daily medical practice have been guided by the evaluation of bone mineral density (BMD). However, given the multifactorial nature of the proposed endpoint, a new calculator has been proposed: Fracture Risk Assessment Tool FRAX TM, which follows the same objectives of previous models, but integrates and combines several of those factors according to their relative weight. It can estimate absolute risk of hip fracture (or a combination of osteoporotic fractures) for the following 10 years. The calculator could be adapted for use in any country by the incorporation of hip fracture incidence and age- and sex-adjusted life expectancy in the same country. This instrument has been presented as a new paradigm to assist in clinical and therapeutic decision-making. In the present review some of its characteristics are discussed, such as: the purported applicability to different populations, the convenience of using 10-year absolute fracture risk for the whole age range under consideration, and whether the efficacy of pharmacological treatment for the prevention of bone fractures in osteoporotic patients can be expected to be equally effective among patients selected for treatment on the basis of this model. Finally, we would like to call attention to the fact that risk thresholds for intervention are not yet clearly defined; those thresholds can obviously be expected to have a profound impact on the number of patients amenable to treatment.

Incidencia de fracturas de cadera en Corrientes, Bariloche y Comodoro Rivadavia / Incidence of hip fractures in Corrientes, Bariloche and Comodoro Rivadavia

La epidemiología de las fracturas de cadera fue estudiada durante 1 año en las ciudades de Corrientes, Bariloche y Comodoro Rivadavia, ubicadas en el nordeste y sur de la Argentina. Los resultados fueron comparados con estudios realizados previamente en el norte y centro del país. Sesenta y siete pacientes (43 mujeres, 24 hombres) de Corrientes, 36 pacientes (23 mujeres, 13 hombres) de Bariloche y 33 pacientes (25 mujeres, 8 hombres) de Comodoro Rivadavia de 50 años o más sufrieron una fractura atraumática de cadera. La incidencia de fracturas de cadera en las mujeres y los hombres fue la siguiente; Corrientes: 144 y 105, Bariloche 268 y 181, y Comodoro Rivadavia 252 y 78 fracturas de cadera /100.000 habitantes.año, respectivamente. La incidencia de fracturas de cadera en las mujeres del sur del país (Bariloche y Comodoro Rivadavia) fue similar entre sí pero inferior a los estudios realizados previamente. Los hombres de Comodoro Rivadavia tuvieron una incidencia inferior a la de Bariloche. La incidencia de fracturas de cadera en las mujeres de la ciudad de Corrientes fue la más baja. Los hombres de esta ciudad tuvieron una incidencia similar a la registrada previamente en otros estudios realizados en la región central. Los nuevos datos aportan información enriquecedora para completar la ya existente en el norte y centro de nuestro extenso territorio. Futuros estudios sobre factores de riesgo, realizados con similar metodología, serían de utilidad para poder comprender mejor las diferencias encontradas.

A pilot study of body composition and bone mineral density in healthy men from Argentina.

A precise assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition can be performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Values of body composition for males would be useful to evaluate the occurrence of alterations in body composition in a number of diseases. The objectives of this study were to establish BMD and body composition values in healthy men and to analyze age-related changes. BMD and body composition of total body and subareas were determined in 116 healthy men (aged 20-79 yr) using DXA. Comparison between 20-29- and 70-79-yr-old men showed that older subjects were shorter (p<0.03), and had a higher body mass index (p<0.01). Fat mass increased (+46.7%; p<0.001) especially in the trunk. Lean mass (LM) decreased (-9.4%; p<0.05) mainly in the arms and legs. Bone mineral content (BMC) and BMD decreased (-15.3% [p<0.001], -6.3% [p<0.05], respectively). Correlation was observed between BMC and LM (r=0.7, p<0.01). Values of BMD and body composition in healthy men were obtained. A relation was observed between bone mass and body composition, suggesting that the age-related decrease in LM may be associated to bone mass loss. Further studies should be conducted to elucidate the role of body composition in the occurrence of osteoporosis in men.

A pilot study on the impact of body composition on bone and mineral metabolism in Parkinson's disease.

The impact of body composition on bone and mineral metabolism in Parkinson's disease (PD) was evaluated. Body fat mass, lean mass, bone mineral content, and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by DXA in 22 PD patients and 104 controls. Female patients exhibited reduced body mass index, fat mass, and BMD compared to controls (p<0.05). Significant positive correlation was found between 25 OHD levels and BMC. Diminished bone mass in women with PD was found to be associated with alterations in body composition and low 25 OHD levels.