The estimated prevalence of osteoporosis in Bahrain: a multi-centered-based study.

OBJECTIVES: the primary aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and risk factors of low bone mineral density in Bahrain. METHODS: this was a retrospective study, which targeted a cohort of 4822 Bahraini subjects (mean age 59.36 years: 93% females). Demographic data and results of lumbar and femur DEXA scan for the targeted sample, over the period 2016-2018, were retrieved from four hospitals. RESULTS: The prevalence of low BMD was 62.3% (46.4% had osteopenia and 15.9% had osteoporosis). The highest rate of osteopenia was detected at the age group younger than 44 years. However, with increasing age, the rate of osteopenia declined, whereas osteoporosis increased (P < 0.001). Females were found to be at higher risk of developing both osteopenia (45.8%) and osteoporosis (18.1%) compared to males (39% and 12.4%, respectively) (P < 0.001). Postmenopausal women exhibited higher rates of low BMD (42.4% osteopenia, 22.3% osteoporosis) compared to elderly men (30.9% osteopenia, 9% osteoporosis). CONCLUSIONS: We reported high prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in Bahrain. Low BMD was more common in females, especially in postmenopausal women. Highest prevalence of osteopenia happened at young age. Therefore, we advocate screening at younger age than previously recommended.

Vancomycin flushing syndrome in orthopaedic practice: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin flushing syndrome (VFS), also known as red man syndrome, is an allergic reaction to vancomycin. It typically presents as a rash on the face, neck, and upper torso after intravenous administration of vancomycin. VFS is blamed on rapid intravenous infusion of vancomycin during management and rarely happens after local use. A review of the literature showed that in the last 23 years, 4 such cases have been reported. Here, we add another case of VFS developed after slow local absorption of vancomycin in cement beads. CASE SUMMARY: A 44-year-old male with a known case of hypertension, no history of allergies to medications, and a history of chronic osteomyelitis of the right tibia with discharging sinus over the anterolateral aspect of the leg. The pus culture grew Staphylococcus aureus, which was sensitive to clindamycin and vancomycin. The patient underwent irrigation and debridement with the placement of vancomycin cement beads made from 4 g of vancomycin powder and 40 g of polymethyl methacrylate. Three hours postoperatively, the patient developed a pruritic, erythematous, macular rash predominantly on his face, neck, chest, and lower extremities and to a lesser extent his upper extremities. A diagnosis of VFS was made and was successfully treated with cetirizine (10 mg, oral) and methylprednisolone sodium succinate (125 mg, intravenous). The patient continued to have itching with a facial rash for 12 h with gradual improvement. A decision was made to not remove the beads as the patient continued to improve. Gradually, the rash disappeared after 96 h with no further sequela. CONCLUSION: VFS can occur not only after rapid intravenous injection of vancomycin but also with local release, as in our case. As orthopaedic surgeons routinely use vancomycin with polymethyl methacrylate in chronic osteomyelitis and revision arthroplasty, they should be aware of such a complication occurring.

Genetic Influence of Fracture Nonunion (FNU): A Systematic Review.

Purpose: Nonunion of fractures occurs in about 15% of all fractures causing repeated surgical interference and prolonged morbidity. We performed this systematic review to assess genes and polymorphisms influencing fractures' nonunion (FNU). Methods: We searched between 2000 and July 2022 in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) Catalog, and the Science Citation Index, with the keywords nonunion of fractures, genetic influence, and GWAS. The exclusion criteria were review articles and correspondence. The data were retrieved to determine the number of studies, genes, and polymorphisms and the total number of subjects screened. Results: A total of 79 studies were reported on nonunion of fractures and genetic influence. After the inclusion and exclusion criteria, ten studies with 4402 patients' data were analyzed. Nine studies were case-controlled, and 1 GWAS. It was identified that patients with polymorphisms in the genes ANXA3, BMP2, CALY, CYR61, FGFR1, IL1ß, NOG, NOS2, PDGF gene, and TACR1 are prone to develop a nonunion of fractures. Conclusion: We believe that for patients who develop an early nonunion of fractures, a genetic study should be conducted for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and genes so that alternative and more aggressive treatment can be performed to heal fractures without prolonged morbidity.

Can we suppress excessive post-surgical scar formation: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic scars (HSs) formation is a complication that occurs after wounds heal with secondary intention and sometimes after clean surgical incisions. Many treatments are in vogue now with varying successes. Although the mechanism or mechanisms that cause a HS to form are not clearly understood, one thing that is clear is that once scar tissue matures, any intervention will not be successful. In this paper, we report on a case where a patient who was known to develop HS was treated with a new combination of ingredients (Phyto-chemicals + Silicone JUMI) to suppress HS formation. CASE SUMMARY: A 68-year-old female of African descent presented a severe HS post total knee replacement (TKR), which the patient describes as itchy and painful. Due to complications caused by the scar, she was apprehensive about undergoing TKR on her other knee. However, after the TKR of the contralateral side post-removal of skin clips, JUMI anti-scar cream (JASC) was used to suppress excessive scar formation. CONCLUSION: JASC appears potent and efficacious at suppressing excessive scar formation. We believe that this warrants further studies on larger patient groups and on different surgical sites.

The efficacy of new neuronal growth factor in the healing of the sciatic nerves in rabbits.

Background and Objective: Regeneration of nervous tissue is unpredictable and an ideal growth factor to influence the healing of the injured nerves is not available. A recent study in rats had shown that a new neuronal growth factor (NNGF) was effective in the early healing of the sciatic nerves. The aim of this experimental study is to test the efficacy of NNGF in the healing of iatrogenic division of the sciatic nerves in a larger animal (rabbits). Methods: White New Zealand 20 male rabbits of 6 months of age were divided into two groups. Intramuscular ketamine and xylazine were used to anesthetize the animals. The sciatic nerves were divided using scalpel blade 15 and 10/0 Vicryl was used to repair the divided neural tissue. In the study group, 10 mg/kg body weight of NNGF was instilled on the top of the divided nerves and the wound was closed. At 4 weeks, the operated limbs were observed for any trophic skin changes. Nerve conduction studies were carried out using train-of-four-Watch SX, Organon (Ireland) Ltd., and Ireland. The rabbits were put to death humanely and the sciatic nerves were removed and delivered to the pathologist in 2% formalin. The pathologists were blinded about the two groups. Results: Electromyographic study done at 4 weeks showed in the untreated group; the mean twitches 1-T4 was 0.45 ± 0.31% and in the treated group, the average was 77.912 ± 5% (P > 0.001). Microscopic anatomy in the treated group revealed prominent healing by regeneration was evidenced by showing growth of its proximal segments into an empty endoneurial tube which was not seen in the control group. In the control group, the nerves showed no histological element of healing by regeneration. Conclusions: NNGF proves that in a larger animal at 4 weeks profoundly influenced early regeneration of experimentally created divisions of myelinated nerve tissue.

Résumé Contexte et objectif: La régénération des tissus nerveux est imprévisible et un facteur de croissance idéal pour influencer la guérison des nerfs blessés n'est pas disponible. Une étude récente chez le rat a montré qu'un nouveau facteur de croissance neuronal (NNGF) était efficace dans la guérison précoce des nerfs sciatiques. L'objectif de cette étude expérimentale est de tester l'efficacité du NNGF dans la guérison de la division iatrogène des nerfs sciatiques chez un animal plus grand (lapin). Méthodes: White New Zealand 20 lapins mâles de 6 mois ont été divisés en deux groupes. La kétamine intramusculaire et la xylazine ont été utilisées pour anesthésier les animaux. Les nerfs sciatiques ont été divisés en utilisant la lame scalpel 15 et 10/0 vicryl ont été utilisés pour réparer le tissu neural divisé. Dans le groupe d'étude, 10 mg / kg de poids corporel du NNGF ont été inculqués sur le dessus des nerfs divisés et la plaie a été fermée. À 4 semaines, les membres opérés ont été observés pour tout changement de peau trophique. Des études de conduction nerveuse ont été menées à l'aide de SX Train-of-Nat-Watch, Organon (Ireland) Ltd. et Ireland. Les lapins ont été mis à mort avec humanité et les nerfs sciatiques ont été retirés et livrés au pathologiste dans 2% de formol. Les pathologistes ont été aveuglés sur les deux groupes. Résultats: électromyographique L'étude réalisée à 4 semaines a montré dans le groupe non traité; Les contractions moyennes 1 à T4 étaient de 0,45 ± 0,31% et dans le groupe traité, la moyenne était de 77,912 ± 5% (p> 0,001). L'anatomie microscopique dans le groupe traité a révélé une guérison importante par régénération a été mise en évidence en montrant la croissance de ses segments proximaux dans un tube endoneurial vide qui n'a pas été observé dans le groupe témoin. Dans le groupe témoin, les nerfs n'ont montré aucun élément histologique de guérison par régénération. Conclusions: NNGF prouve que chez un animal plus grand à 4 semaines, a profondément influencé la régénération précoce des divisions créées expérimentalement du tissu nerveux myélinisé. Mots-clés: Facteurs de croissance, régénération nerveuse, nerfs sciatiques.

Effects of Teriparatide on Bone Mineral Density and Prevention of Fragility Fractures in Saudi Arabian Subjects with Osteoporosis: A Two-Year Clinical Study from a Single Center.

Design: A prospective study was conducted. Setting. This study took place at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam AbdulRahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Primary and Secondary Outcomes. The study aimed to evaluate changes in BMD and prevention of fragility fractures. Materials and Methods: We followed up 439 patients who were prescribed teriparatide at the King Fahd Hospital of the University, AlKhobar, and 415 (94.5%) patients completed a 24-month teriparatide course. The data gathered before starting medication were age, sex, previous therapy, history of fractures, and other diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiac disease. At the time of the final assessment after 24 months, a history of fractures if any during the treatment was collected and a DXA scan was done. Results: A total of 415 patients were followed up for 2 years. Three hundred and sixty-five patients (87.9%) were females, and the rest were males. The average age was 68.21 ± 17.6 years. Two hundred and forty-eight patients (59.8%) were treatment naïve, and 167 (40.2%) were on treatment for osteoporosis. Twenty patients (4.8%) sustained fracture on treatment. The pretreatment DXA showed that the mean hip T-score was -3.1 ± 0.79, and after completion of the treatment, it was -1.5 ± 0.62 (P < 0.001), while the T-score of the lumbar spine was 4.4 ± 0.86 versus -3.2 ± 0.87 (P < 0.001). Seventeen (4.09%) had fractures while on teriparatide treatment. The mean significant gain (MSG) for BMD for the hip was 0.095 g/cm2, and for the lumbar spine, it was was 0.109 g/cm2 with P < 0.001 at 95% CI. Conclusions: Our study shows that 94.5% completed the treatment duration, and there was an increase in the BMD. The decrease in T-scores of the lumbar spine and hip was significant so was the reduction in the number of fractures.

Osteoporosis: Is the prevalence increasing in Saudi Arabia.

Background and Objective: The objective of this analysis is to report from a teaching hospital in eastern Saudi Arabia hospital based prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Methods: This is a retrospective study of all patients who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan between January 1, and December 31, 2018, at King Fahd Hospital of the University at Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia. Demographic data of patients, which included age, sex, diabetes mellitus status based on fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1C, Vitamin D level, parathormone level, and T score of the neck of femur and lumbar spine was extracted from the Quadrumed patient care system. The data was entered into database and analyzed. Results: Three hundred and one patients had a DXA scan for the year 2018, a jump of 27.2% of requests to diagnose osteoporosis. There were 55 (18.27%) were male and rest females (246). The average age for males was 65.2 ± 10.5 and females 62.9 ± 9.4 years. Using T score of the lumbar spine, 63.6% were osteoporotic in males and 52.8% in females. Conclusions: The hospital-based study shows that the prevalence of osteoporosis has significantly increased in men to 63.6%, while in postmenopausal women to 58.4%, this is high compared to the earlier reports.

Résumé Contexte et objectif: L'objectif de cette analyse est de faire rapport d'un hôpital d'enseignement dans l'hôpital de l'Arabie Saoudite est basé Prévalence de l'ostéopénie et de l'ostéoporose. Méthodes: Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective de tous les patients atteints de rayons X à double énergie Absorptiométrie (DXA) Numérisation entre le 1er janvier et le 31 décembre 2018, à l'hôpital roi Fahd de l'Université d'Alkhobar, en Arabie saoudite. Données démographiques des patients, qui comprenaient l'âge, le sexe, le diabète suit des Mellitus basé sur la glycémie à jeun, l'hémoglobine A1C, la vitamine D Le niveau de niveau, de la parathormone et du score T du col du fémur et de la colonne lombaire a été extrait du système de soins quadrumé des patients. le Les données ont été entrées dans la base de données et analysées. Résultats: Trois cent et un patients avaient une analyse DXA pour l'année 2018, un saut de 27,2% des demandes de diagnostiquer l'ostéoporose. Il y avait 55 (18,27%) étaient des femmes et des femmes de repos (246). L'âge moyen des hommes était de 65,2 ± 10,5 et les femelles 62,9 ± 9,4 ans. En utilisant la score T de la colonne lombaire, 63,6% étaient ostéoporotes chez les hommes et 52,8% chez les femmes. Conclusions: le L'étude à l'hôpital montre que la prévalence de l'ostéoporose a considérablement augmenté chez les hommes à 63,6%, tandis que dans les femmes ménopausées À 58,4%, cela est élevé par rapport aux rapports précédents. Mots-clés: ostéopénie, ostéoporose, prévalence, Arabie Saoudite, Vitamine D.

Treatment of bisphosphonate induced osteonecrosis of jaw in rats using an angiogenesis factor (A-Heal) and ABMDO (Autologous Bone Marrow Derived Osteoblasts).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to create Bisphonates Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (BRONJ) in rats and treat them with an angiogenesis factor (A-Heal) and ABMDO (Autologous Bone Marrow Derived Osteoblasts). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty female Wistar rats were procured. Rats were labeled as Group I to III. Group I = Osteoblast group, Group II = A-Heal and Group III Control group. In Groups I-III, BRONJ was created and treated in Group I with ABMDO, Group II with A-Heal and Group III was the control group. At the end of the four weeks post treatment, all the animals were humanely killed. The intact maxillae were removed in total. Histopathological and radiological examinations were carried out with physicians blinded to the groups. RESULTS: Computerized tomography revealed that Groups I and II demonstrated the presence of dense osteosclerosis, intralesional calcifications, and adequate healing of the overlying soft tissues compared to Group III, which showed the presence of bone erosions at the alveolar ridge with a lack of intralesional calcifications and ulceration of the overlying soft tissues. Histologically, H&E staining Group 1 and Group 2 both showed marked reactive bone formation. Group 2 additionally revealed the most prominent vascular proliferation (also highlighted by Factor VIII, an endothelial cell marker) among all groups. Group 3 showed cartilaginous proliferation with less reactive bone formation, implicating decreased endochondral ossification compared to Groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSION: This study shows that angiogenesis factor (A-Heal) and ABMDO were successful in the treatment of experimentally created BRONJ in an animal model.

The clinical and radiological effectiveness of autologous bone marrow derived osteoblasts (ABMDO) in the management of avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH) in sickle cell disease (SCD).

PURPOSE: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is a common issue faced by orthopaedic surgeons that ranges between 10 and 18%, but in patients with SCD, the incidence reaches 30%. There is no definite treatment except joint arthroplasty. Regenerative medicine is an option to cure or delay joint arthroplasty. We report here our experience with the injection of ABMDO to manage ANFH and report our medium-term results, the progression of the ANFH if any and the delay in total hip arthroplasty. (THA). METHODS: Sixty-Three (63) patients with SCD and ANFH were examined and thoroughly investigated, and those who had ANFH < grade II were consented to receive ABMDO. Patients were clinically assessed preoperatively using the Visual analogue scale (VAS), Modified Harris Hips Score (MHHS) and Azam-Sadat Score (ASS) for Quality of Life Score for Chronic Hip Disease. Ten millilitres of bone marrow were aspirated under local anaesthesia and placed in 20 CC of culture media. Osteoblasts were cultured from the aspirated bone marrow. Under anaesthesia, the osteonecrosed lesion was drilled using a 3-mm cannulated drill, and 5 million osteoblasts were injected at the lesion site. Patients were evaluated in the outpatient clinic after 2 weeks. At 4 months, a repeat MRI was done, and patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 25.93 ± 5.48 years. There were 41 (65%) females and 22 (35%) males. The mean hemoglobin S was 83.2 ± 5.1%. The average follow-up was 49.05 ± 12.9 (range: 24-60) months. TheVAS significantly improved from 7.79 ± 1.06 initially to 4.07 ± 1.08 (p < 0.0001) at 2 weeks and continued to improve for the next 24 months, when it was 2.38 ± 0.55 (p < 0.0001). The MHHS improved from 41.77 ± 5.37 initially to 73.19 ± 6.48 at 4 months (p < 0.001), and at 24 months, it was 88.93 ± 3.6 (p < 0.001). The ASS also significantly improved from 2.76 ± 0.49 preoperatively to 7.92 ± 0.09 (p < 0.0001) at 24 months. A comparison of the MRI's from before and after the osteoblast implantation revealed new bone formation and amelioration of the avascular lesions. Three patients were unsatisfied with their outcomes. and one patient suffered a repeat attack of the vaso-occlusive crisis within 6 months of the osteoblast injection. CONCLUSIONS: The results give credence to our earlier short follow-up results showing that osteoblast transplantation has great potential in the healing of avascular lesions. Our study fits the criteria of a Phase II clinical trial, and we believe a larger study equivalent to Phase III numbers should be conducted and include patients with not only SCD but also steroid-induced and idiopathic avascular necrosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Chondrocytes for Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

RESULTS: There were a total of 60 patients who were followed up. Three patients in Group II were removed from the analysis as they underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A notably significant improvement was noticed in the ABMDC group on all scores of VAS and MKSSSF with P < 0.0001. The control group continued to be dissatisfied with the treatment they were taking. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that a single injection of 5 million of ABMDC was efficient in reducing the symptoms, improving the functional score and betterment of QOL.

Efficacy of autologous bone marrow derived Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), osteoblasts and osteoblasts derived exosome in the reversal of ovariectomy (OVX) induced osteoporosis in rabbit model.

Background: A recent study showed that OVX-induced osteoporosis was reversed after injection of osteoblasts cultured from the bone marrow in rats. The present study evaluated the effect of injecting MSCs, osteoblasts, and exosomes isolated from osteoblasts for the treatment of osteoporosis in the rabbit model. Methods: Osteoporosis was created in 40 rabbits by performing ovareictomy at 6 months of age, and 1 mg/kg body weight of methyl prednisolone sodium succinate was injected daily for 8 weeks. Animals were fed twice daily and were given water ad libitum. MSCs and osteoblasts were grown from the bone marrow as per the methodology described earlier. From osteoblasts, exosomes were extracted. After the 15th day, MSCs (Group 2), osteoblasts (Group 3), and exosomes (Group 4) were injected into 5 animals each, and 0.5 ml of normal saline were injected into the control group (Group 1). After 12 weeks (11 months of age), all the animals were euthanized. The whole femur and the lumbar vertebrae 3-5 were dissected out and were subjected to radiological assessment using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computerized tomography (HRpQCT). All parameters of the bone volume, trabecular number, thickness, and spacing were assessed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences), version 21.0, Chicago, Illinois. A p value of <0.05 was considered Statistically significant with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. Results: Structural indices of the osteoblasts-injected animals were significantly better than the control group for the distal femur. The most significant improvement was seen in the osteoblasts, MSCs, and exosomes group in that order. The p value of all parameters was <0.0001 in the osteoblasts group, whereas the total and bone volume had a lower p value in the MSCs group. In the osteoblasts group, the positive changes were similar in the distal femur and lumbar vertebrae, but with MSCs and exosomes, the changes were more pronounced in the vertebral spine than the distal femur. Conclusions: This study shows that autologous bone marrow-derived osteoblasts have the robust influence of reversing OVX-induced osteoporosis in rabbits.

Time out: should vitamin D dosing be based on patient's body mass index (BMI): a prospective controlled study.

The recommended daily dose of vitamin D is 2000 IU was found to be insufficient in many patients. The objective of the present study is to find whether the daily dose of vitamin D should be based on BMI. Two hundred and thirty patients with an established vitamin D deficiency (serum level of 25 Hydroxy vitamin D3 (25OHD3) of ≤20 ng/ml) and patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 were included in the study. Demographic data, comorbidities and BMI were recorded. Pre-treatment and post-treatment serum 25OHD3, calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were tested at 0-, 3- and 6-month periods. Patients were treated with a standard dose of 50 000 IU of vitamin D weekly and 600/1200 mg of calcium a day. Once their level of 25OHD3 reached ≥30 ng/ml, patients were randomised into two groups. Group A received a standard recommended maintenance dose of 2000 IU daily and Group B patients received 125 IU/kg/m2 of vitamin D3. The data were entered in the database and analysed. The mean age of Group A was 50⋅74 ± 7⋅64 years compared to 52⋅32 ± 7⋅21 years in Group B. In both groups, pre-treatment vitamin D level was ≤15 ng/ml and increased to 34⋅6 ± 2⋅6 and 33⋅7 ± 2⋅4 ng/ml at the end of 3 months treatment with a dose 50 000 IU of vitamin D3 and calcium 600/1200 mg once a day for group A and group B, respectively. At 6 months, patients in Group A 25OHD3 level was 22⋅8 ± 3⋅80 and in Group B was 34⋅0 ± 1⋅85 ng/ml (P < 0⋅001). This preliminary study suggests that obese patients need higher dosage of vitamin D than the recommended dose. It is prudent that the dosage should be based on the BMI to maintain normal levels for a healthy musculoskeletal system.

Osteoporosis among Bahraini Citizens: The First Report.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis and its complications are increasing as the population is aging world over. Every country needs an initial assessment of prevalence to take appropriate steps in limiting the complications of osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to find the prevalence of osteoporosis in the Kingdom of Bahrain. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of patients who underwent scans for the diagnosis of osteoporosis between January 2016 and December 2017 at the University Medical Center, King Abdullah Medical City, Dr. Sulaiman AlHabib Hospital, Kingdom of Bahrain. The data were collected from the picture archiving and communication system for the study period. Patients' medical records were reviewed for the investigations and treatment ordered. The data were entered into the database and analyzed using SPSS Inc., version 19. RESULTS: A total of 205 patients with an average age of 58.39 ± 12.12 years were included in the study. There were 185 (90.25%) females and 20 (9.75%) males. Seventy-nine (38.5%) were osteoporotic based on the T score of either at the hip (-< 2.61 ± 1.08) or the spine (-< 3.26 ± 0.78), with a mean age of 60.8 ± 13.1 years. Seventy-two (91.1%) of the osteoporotic patients were female and 42 (58.4%) were ≥65 years. Patients who were osteoporotic were significantly older with P < 0.001. There were 9 patients (4.39%) who had osteoporosis-related fractures. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the prevalence of osteoporosis is common among Bahraini citizens. As the country's total population is <1.2 million, it will not be difficult to target the ≥65-year-old men and women in early diagnosis and treatment to prevent osteoporosis-related fractures.

Middle East experience from the Asia And Latin America Fracture Observational Study (ALAFOS): Baseline characteristics of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis using teriparatide.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the baseline clinical characteristics and fracture history of patients taking teriparatide in routine clinical practice in the Middle East (ME) subregional cohort of the Asia and Latin America Fracture Observational Study (ALAFOS). METHODS: Herein, we report baseline clinical characteristics of patients who were prescribed teriparatide (20 µg/day, subcutaneous injection) in four participant ME countries (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Lebanon). RESULTS: The ME cohort included 707 patients mean (SD) age 69.3 (11.6) years. Mean (SD) bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores at baseline were -3.13 (1.28) for lumbar spine, -2.88 (0.94) for total hip, and -2.65 (1.02) for femoral neck. Osteoporotic fractures after age 40 years were reported in 45.8% (vertebral fracture 14.4%, hip fracture 18.4%) and comorbidities in 57.4% of patients. Before starting teriparatide, 19.9% of patients took other osteoporosis medications. The median (Q1; Q3) EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level visual analog scale score for perceived overall health status was 70 (50; 80). Mean (SD) worst back pain in the previous 24 hours was 4.0 (3.2) using a 10-point numeric rating scale. CONCLUSION: This analysis indicated that in ME countries, teriparatide is usually prescribed to patients with low BMD and high comorbidities, with prior fractures.

The burden of osteoporosis in Saudi Arabia: a scorecard and economic model.

Objectives: Aging populations are contributing to an increased volume of osteoporotic fractures. The goals of this study were to (1) develop a scorecard on epidemiological burden, policy framework, service provision, and service uptake for osteoporosis in Saudi Arabia and (2) estimate the direct costs of managing osteoporotic fractures in Saudi Arabia.Methods: Osteoporosis data specific to Saudi Arabia were collected through a systematic literature review and surveys with osteoporosis experts. The data were used to build a scorecard, as done previously for the European Union and select Latin American countries. The scorecard applied traffic light colour coding to identify areas of risk in Saudi Arabia's management of osteoporosis. The data were also used to parameterize a burden of illness model. The model estimated the direct medical costs of fractures among adults aged 50-89 years in Saudi Arabia. The model included hospitalization, testing, hip fracture surgery, and drug costs.Results: In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Health was aware of impending increases in the number of fractures and had prioritized osteoporosis on the national agenda. Accordingly, reimbursement restrictions for osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment were minimal. However, a national fracture registry and unified system for monitoring care were not in operation. This represents a critical gap in care that will continue to contribute to the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of osteoporosis if not addressed. In total, 174,225 osteoporosis-related fractures were estimated to occur in Saudi Arabia in 2019, with an annual cost of SR2.38 billion ($636 million USD; $1.55 billion PPP). Hospitalization was the primary cost driver.Conclusions: In 2019, Saudi Arabia was expected to incur SR2.38 billion ($636 million USD; $1.55 billion PPP) in costs owing to 174,225 osteoporosis-related fractures. The establishment of a national fracture registry and implementation of fracture liaison services will be paramount to reducing the fracture burden.

Broken Kirschner Wires Can Migrate: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Kirschner wires are in use in orthopedic and trauma surgery since the past 80 years. These wires can break due to metal fatigue and migrate which can cause lethal complications. CASE REPORT: A 27-year-old female sickle cell patient with avascular necrosis of the head of femur, drilling, and injection of the osteoblasts in the head of femur was being performed. A 2 cm of 2.0 mm proximal tip of the guide wire broke. Discussion started whether to leave the wire and the young decided to leave the broken wire, but the wisdom directed us to remove it. CONCLUSION: Migration of wires does occur, we believe not only broken wires should be removed but also even the unbroken wire to be removed once the purpose of use is achieved.

Spinal cord injury regeneration using autologous bone marrow-derived neurocytes and rat embryonic stem cells: A comparative study in rats.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an important cause of traumatic paralysis and is mainly due to motor vehicle accidents. However, there is no definite treatment for spinal cord damage. AIM: To assess the outcome of rat embryonic stem cells (rESC) and autologous bone marrow-derived neurocytes (ABMDN) treatment in iatrogenic SCI created in rats, and to compare the efficacy of the two different cell types. METHODS: The study comprised 45 male Wistar rats weighing between 250 and 300 g, which were divided into three groups, the control, rESC and ABMDN groups. The anesthetized animals underwent exposure of the thoracic 8th to lumbar 1st vertebrae. A T10-thoracic 12th vertebrae laminectomy was performed to expose the spinal cord. A drop-weight injury using a 10 g weight from a height of 25 cm onto the exposed spinal cord was conducted. The wound was closed in layers. The urinary bladder was manually evacuated twice daily and after each evacuation Ringer lactate 5 mL/100 g was administered, twice daily after each bladder evacuation for the first 7 postoperative days. On the 10th day, the rats underwent nerve conduction studies and behavioral assessment [Basso, Beattie, Brenham (BBB)] to confirm paraplegia. Rat embryonic stem cells, ABMDN and saline were injected on the 10th day. The animals were euthanized after 8 wk and the spinal cord was isolated, removed and placed in 2% formalin for histopathological analysis to assess the healing of neural tissues at the axonal level. RESULTS: All the animals tolerated the procedure well. The BBB scale scoring showed that at the end of the first week no recovery was observed in the groups. Post-injection, there was a strong and significant improvement in rats receiving rESC and ABMDN as compared to the control group based on the BBB scale, and the Train-of-four-Watch SX acceleromyography device exhibited statistically significant (P < 0.0001) regeneration of neural tissue after SCI. Histological evaluation of the spinal cord showed maximum vacuolization and least gliosis in the control group compared to the rESC and ABMDN treated animals. In the ABMDN group, limited vacuolization and more prominent gliosis were observed in all specimens as compared to the control and rESC groups. CONCLUSION: This study provided strong evidence to support that transplantation of rESC and ABMDN can improve functional recovery after iatrogenic SCI. The transplanted cells showed a beneficial therapeutic effect when compared to the control group.

Stem-cell therapy for ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats: a comparison of three treatment modalities.

Background: Recent studies have shown that ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats can be reversed by infusion of osteoblasts cultured from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This study compares the influence of MSCs, osteoblasts, and exosomes derived from osteoblasts for the treatment of osteoporosis. Methods: Osteoporosis was induced in 40 female Sprague Dawley rats by performing ovariectomy. After 12 weeks, bone marrow was harvested and MSCs separated from bone-marrow aspirate as described by Piao et al. After 15 days, autologous osteogenically differentiated cells from the MSCs were available. Exosomes were isolated from osteoblasts by modification of the technique described by Ge et al. MSCs and osteoblasts (106 cells in 0.5 mL normal saline) and exosomes (100 µg protein) were injected into the tail veins of the animals. Animals were euthanized after 12 weeks and femurs and lumbar spines dissected and analyzed using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Results: When compared to the control group, osteoblast-treated animals showed significant differences in all parameters compared, with P-values ranging between <0.002 and <0.0001. Comparison among osteoblasts, MSCs, and exosomes, showed that osteoblasts had positive and statistically significant new-bone formation. The comparison for the spine was similar to the distal femur for osteoblasts. Conclusion: This study showed robust positive bone-forming changes after osteoblast injection in the distal femur and the spine when compared to controls, MSCs, and exosomes.

Effects of pulsed low-frequency magnetic field therapy on pain intensity in patients with musculoskeletal chronic low back pain: study protocol for a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of pulsed low-frequency magnetic field (PLFMF) on the management of chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A randomised double-blinded controlled clinical trial will be conducted, involving 200 patients with CLBP. Participants will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either active PLFMF (experimental arm) or sham treatment (control arm) using a permuted-block design which will be stratified according to three subtypes of musculoskeletal CLBP (nociceptive, peripheral neuropathic or central sanitisation). The intervention consists of three sessions/week for 6 weeks. The primary outcome is the percentage change in Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain at week 24 after treatment completion with respect to the baseline. Secondary outcomes include percentage NRS pain during treatment and early after treatment completion, short form 36 quality of life, Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire; Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21, Patient Specific Functional Scale, Global perceived effect of condition change, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale. Measures will be taken at baseline, 3 and 6 weeks during the intervention and 6, 12 and 24 weeks after completing the intervention. Adverse events between arms will be evaluated. Data will be analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study is funded by Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU). It has been approved by the institutional review board of IAU (IRB- 2017-03-129). The study will be conducted at King Fahd Hospital of the University and will be monitored by the Hospital monitoring office for research and research ethics. The trial is scheduled to begin in September 2018. Results obtained will be presented in international conferences and will be published in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12618000921280, prospectively.

Are we closing the gaps in the management of osteoporosis following fragility fractures of the femur?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify deficiencies in initiating anti-osteoporotic treatment following a fragility femoral fracture. METHODS: All patients ≥55 years of age treated for a fragility femoral fracture between June 2012 and May 2017 were enrolled. Medications at discharge and at 90 days and 1 year of follow up were analyzed. Patients were classified into 4 groups: Group I did not receive any treatment for osteoporosis; Group II received only calcium and vitamin D3; Group III received an anabolic agent, calcium, and vitamin D3; and Group IV received bisphosphonates, calcium, and vitamin D3. RESULTS: A total of 167 patients with an average age of 65.81±12.55 years were included. There were 88 (52.7%) males and 79 (47.3%) females. At discharge, 107 patients (64.1%) were not prescribed optimal treatment for osteoporosis, and this reduced to 55 (32.9%) at the 90-day follow up. At 1 year, the number of patients receiving suboptimal treatment was further reduced to 25.74%. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of patients with fragility fractures receiving insufficient treatment was lower in the present study than in previous reports, increased efforts and coordinated treatment plans initiated by a fracture liaison service should be of high priority.