Trends in fractures in patients with spondyloarthritis: a nationwide population-based study (TREND-EspA study).

Our aim was to analyze trends in fracture rates in SpA patients over an extended time period. Only an increase of axial fractures, more specifically vertebral fractures, is observed in SpA. PURPOSE: To analyze fracture incidence and trend in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) over an extended time period. METHODS: Retrospective observational population-based study with matched cohorts. Data from the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) of Spain were reviewed. All SpA patient hospitalizations reported from 1999 to 2015 (SpA cohort) were analyzed. A control cohort (non-SpA cohort) matched by age, sex, region, and year of hospitalization was recruited. The age and sex-adjusted crude incidence rate was calculated for any fractures (axial and peripheral). Generalized linear models (GLM) were used for trend analysis. Association between fracture type and SpA (and its subtypes) was assessed using unconditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: In the SpA cohort, the age and sex-adjusted rates per 100,000 inhabitants/year of total fracture and different types of fracture were 45.72 any fractures, 17.64 axial, and 28.02 peripheral; 29.42 osteoporotic (12.67 vertebra, 12.29 hip, 1.50 pelvis, 1.82 humerus and 2.09 radius). In the non-SpA cohort, they were 65.79 any, 12.08 axial, 51.52 peripheral; 31.17 osteoporotic (4.94 vertebra, 16.15 hip, 2.29 pelvis, 3.64 humerus, 5.38 radius). Between 1999 and 2015, the trend in incidence rate for total fracture and different types of fracture increased similarly for both cohorts. In the SpA cohort, an increase of axial fractures was found (AOR 1.444; 95%CI 1.297-1.609), and specifically of vertebral fractures (AOR 2.440; 95%CI 2.097-2.839). Other types of fractures did not increase. CONCLUSIONS: Only an increase of axial fractures, more specifically vertebral fractures, is observed in SpA. Trend in incidence is similar in both cohorts.

Experience With the Use of Rituximab for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Tertiary Hospital in Spain: RITAR Study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: There is evidence supporting that there are no relevant clinical differences between dosing rituximab 1000 mg or 2000 mg per cycle in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in clinical trials, and low-dose cycles seem to have a better safety profile. Our objective was to describe the pattern of use of rituximab in real-life practice conditions. METHODS: Rituximab for RA in clinical practice (RITAR) study is a retrospective cohort study from 2005 to 2015. Eligibility criteria were RA adults treated with rituximab for active articular disease. Response duration was the main outcome defined as months elapsed from the date of rituximab first infusion to the date of flare. A multivariable analysis was performed to determine the variables associated with response duration. RESULTS: A total of 114 patients and 409 cycles were described, 93.0% seropositive and 80.7% women. Rituximab was mainly used as second-line biological therapy. On demand retreatment was used in 94.6% of cases versus fixed 6 months retreatment in 5.4%. Median response duration to on demand rituximab cycles was 10 months (interquartile range, 7-13). Multivariable analysis showed that age older than 65 years, number of rituximab cycles, seropositivity, and first- or second-line therapy were associated with longer response duration. The dose administered at each cycle was not significantly associated with response duration. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests that 1000 mg rituximab single infusion on demand is a reasonable schedule for long-term treatment of those patients with good response after the first cycles, especially in seropositive patients and when it is applied as a first- or second-line biological therapy.

Second Hip Fracture: Incidence, Trends, and Predictors.

Older persons who have suffered a hip fracture (HFx) are at increased risk of subsequent hip fractures. The cumulative incidence of a second hip fracture (SHFx) has been estimated in 8.4%; however, no studies have been carried out in our country, and the information on risk markers of SHFx is limited. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence, explore trends, and examine predictors of SHFx in a suburban population of Spain. An observational longitudinal retrospective study was performed in a universal health coverage setting (Alcorcón, 1999-2011). Data were obtained from the area hospital discharge database. Annual incidence of HFx was estimated over 100,000 population (general and persons with HFx), and median time to SHFx by Kaplan-Meier tables. Cox regression was used for the analysis of association between SHFx and baseline predictors, measured by hazard ratio (HR). Among the 3430 patients who suffered a first HFx in the study period, 255 (7.4%) experienced a SHFx (4.5% of men and 8.5% of women). Median time between the first and second HFx was 3.7 years (SD 3.2). Annual incidence of HFx in population over 45 was 290.5 per 100,000 inhabitants (131.03 in men and 433.11 in women). Annual incidence of SHFx among persons with a HFx was 956.7 per 100,000 (1052.1 in women and 595.5 in men). There was a decline trend along the study period with an annual reduction of 10.4% (95% CI 7.7-13.0%; p < 0.001) in both sexes. The following associations were found: female sex (HR 1.41, 95% CI 0.97-2.02), age (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.04), living in a nursing house (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.10-1.94), and moderate to severe liver disease (HR 4.96, 95% CI 1.23-20.06). In our environment the occurrence of a SHFx is 7.4%, three-fold risk compared to no previous HFx. Being woman, elderly, living in a nursing home, and having severe to moderate liver disease may be important predictors of a SHFx. There seems to be adequate time between the first and the SHFx for interventions that may reduce the risk.

Influence of patient personality in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Individualized treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on genetic/serologic factors is increasingly accepted. Moreover, patients are more actively involved in the management of their disease. However, personality has received little attention with respect to perception of the need and adherence to treatment. Our objective was to evaluate whether patient personality was associated with the acceptance or rejection of more aggressive early treatment. We performed a cross-sectional study in two hospitals with early arthritis clinics where sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic variables are systematically recorded. Patients completed Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control, Pain-Related Self-Statement Scale and Pain-Related Control Scale. Aggressive treatment was considered if patients received more than two DMARDs or biological agents during the first year of follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of aggressive treatment. One hundred seventy-six RA patients were included (80 % women, disease begin median age 55 years). Treatment was considered aggressive in 57.9 % of the sample. Scores were high in extraversion in 50.8 % of patients, neuroticism in 29.5 % and psychoticism in 14.7 %. Neuroticism was the only factor associated with aggressive treatment, which was less probable (p = 0.04, OR = 0.40). Neuroticism also decreased the possibility of receiving a combination of biologics and DMARDs (p = 0.04, OR = 0.28). Patients with high scores on neuroticism are more worried, obsessive and hypochondriac, leading them to reject more aggressive therapy. It is important to educate about their disease so that they will accept more aggressive approaches in clear cases of poor outcome.

High incidence of clinical fragility fractures in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence of clinical fragility fractures in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and analyze risk factors for fracture. METHODS: Incidence of clinical fragility fractures in 330 postmenopausal women with RA was compared to that of a control population of 660 age-matched postmenopausal Spanish women. Clinical fractures during the previous five years were recorded. We analyzed associations with risk factors for fracture in both populations and with disease-related variables in RA patients. RESULTS: Median age of RA patients was 64 years; median RA duration was eight years. Sixty-nine percent were in remission or on low activity. Eighty-five percent had received glucocorticoids (GCs); 85 %, methotrexate; and 40 %, ≥1 biologic DMARD. Fifty-four patients and 47 controls had ≥1 major osteoporotic fracture (MOF). Incidence of MOFs was 3.55 per 100 patient-year in patients and 0.72 in controls (HR: 2.6). Risk factors for MOFs in RA patients were age, previous fracture, parental hip fracture, years since menopause, BMD, erosions, disease activity and disability, and cumulative dose of GCs. Previous fracture in RA patients was a strong risk for MOFs (HR: 10.37). CONCLUSION: Of every 100 postmenopausal Spanish women with RA, 3-4 have a MOF per year. This is more than double that of the general population. A previous fracture poses a high risk for a new fracture. Other classic risk factors for fracture, RA disease activity and disability, and the cumulative dose of GCs are associated with fracture development.

Association of spondyloarthritis and sarcoidosis: A retrospective observational population-based matched cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between spondyloarthritis (SpA) and sarcoidosis. METHODS: An observational retrospective population-based matched cohort study was conducted. Using data from the Spanish Minimum Basic Data Set. All the admissions of patients with SpA reported between 1999 and 2015 were analysed and a control group matched by age, sex and year of admission was selected. Crude and age- and sex-adjusted incidence rates for sarcoidosis were calculated. Generalized linear models were used for trend analysis and unconditional logistic regression models for calculating crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) to assess the association between sarcoidosis and SpA. RESULTS: The study database contained data on 214,280 hospitalisations: 107,140 admissions of patients with SpA and 107,140 of patients without SpA. Overall, 220 of the admissions were of patients with sarcoidosis: 133 (0.12%) in the SpA group and 87 (0.08%) in the non-SpA group (P<0.05). The incidence rates of sarcoidosis were 2.68 and 1.64 per 100,000 per year in the SpA and non-SpA groups, respectively. The trend was similar in the two cohorts. Regarding potential associations between SpA and sarcoidosis, the crude and adjusted ORs were 1.52 (95% CI: 1.16-2.01) and 1.50 (95% CI: 1.14-1.97) overall in patients with SpA, with adjusted ORs of 1.42 (95% CI: 1.03-1.94) and 1.81 (95% CI: 1.29-2.55) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship that is not due to chance between sarcoidosis and SpA and specifically that sarcoidosis is significantly associated with ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis.

Trends in orthopaedic surgery for spondyloarthritis: outcomes from a National Hospitalised Patient Registry (MBDS) over a 17-year period (1999-2015).TREND-EspA study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of orthopaedic surgery (OS) (including total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty, upper limb arthroplasty, arthrodesis and spinal surgery) and associated trends in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) over a long period (17 years). METHODS: An observational, retrospective, population-based, serial cross-sectional study was conducted. All hospital admissions of patients with SpA reported between 1999 and 2015 were analysed, and a control group was selected and matched by age, sex and year of admission. Incidence rates for OS (and subtypes) were calculated. Generalised linear models were used to analyse trends; unconditional logistic regression models were used to calculate crude and adjusted ORs (aORs) with the aim of evaluating the association between OS and SpA. RESULTS: The study database contained data on 214 280 hospital admissions (SpA/non-SpA 1:1 ratio). In the SpA cohort, 5 382 admissions (5.02%) had undergone OS compared with 3 533 in the non-SpA cohort (3.29%) (AOR 1.64; 95% CI 1.57 to 1.72). OS rates increased for both cohorts (+4.92% per year vs +8.41%). The trend in OS, THA, arthrodesis and spinal surgery decreased or stabilised in patients under age 60 in the SpA cohort, while the non-SpA cohort remained stable. In the SpA cohort, the mean age was 53.68 years (SD 13.65) in 1999, increasing to 62.76 years (SD 12.74) in 2015. In the non-SpA cohort, the mean age remained stable at around 63 years. CONCLUSIONS: A 9-year difference in the age of patients undergoing OS was observed in patients with SpA. The incidence of OS, THA and arthrodesis decreased in patients under age 60, and the incidence of spinal surgery decreased in patients under age 40. Our findings suggest that these patients are increasingly able to defer surgical interventions.

Risk of ischaemic stroke among new users of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate: a nested case-control study.

Background: Several studies have reported that the use of chondroitin sulphate (CS) and glucosamine may reduce the risk of acute myocardial infarction. Although it is thought that this potential benefit could be extended to ischaemic stroke (IS), the evidence is scarce. Objective: To test the hypothesis that the use of prescription glucosamine or CS reduces the risk of IS. Design: Case-control study nested in an open cohort. Methods: Patients aged 40-99 years registered in a Spanish primary healthcare database (BIFAP) during the 2002-2015 study period. From this cohort, we identified incident cases of IS, applying a case-finding algorithm and specific validation procedures, and randomly sampled five controls per case, individually matched with cases by exact age, gender and index date. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed through a conditional logistic regression. Only new users of glucosamine or CS were considered. Results: A total of 13,952 incident cases of IS and 69,199 controls were included. Of them, 106 cases (0.76%) and 803 controls (1.16%) were current users of glucosamine or CS at index date, yielding an AOR of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.54-0.82) (for glucosamine, AOR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.39-0.77; and for CS, AOR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.60-0.99). The reduced risk among current users was observed in both sexes (men, AOR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.49-0.98; women, AOR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.50-0.85), in individuals above and below 70 years of age (AOR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.53-0.89 and AOR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.41-0.85, respectively), in individuals with vascular risk factors (AOR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.39-0.74) and among current/recent users of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (AOR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.55-0.92). Regarding duration, the reduced risk was observed in short-term users (<365 days, AOR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.48-0.78) while faded and became nonsignificant in long-term users (>364 days AOR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.57-1.31). Conclusions: Our results support a protective effect of prescription CS and glucosamine in IS, which was observed even in patients at vascular risk. Mini abstract: Our aim was to analyse whether the use of glucosamine or chondroitin sulphate (CS) reduces the risk of ischaemic stroke (IS). We detected a significant decrease.

Trends in amyloidosis in spondyloarthritis: results from the Spanish National Inpatient Registry over a 17-year period (1999-2015)-TREND-EspA study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of amyloidosis and trends therein in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) over a long period (17 years). METHODS: An observational retrospective population-based matched cohort study was conducted. All the admissions of patients with SpA, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease (SpA-IBD) and reactive arthritis (ReA), reported between 1999 and 2015, were analysed and a control group matched by age, sex and year of admission was selected. Incidence rates for amyloidosis were calculated. Generalised linear models were used for trend analysis and unconditional logistic regression for calculating crude and adjusted ORs (AOR) to assess the association between amyloidosis and SpA. RESULTS: The study database contained data on 107 140 admissions in each group. Between 1999 and 2015, 792 patients in the SpA cohort (0.7% of all admissions) had a diagnosis of amyloidosis versus 68 in the non-SpA cohort (0.1%) (p<0.001). From 1999 to 2015, incidence rates of amyloidosis tended to decrease in the SpA cohort (-4.63%/year overall), while they increased in the Non-SpA cohort (+10.25%/year overall). We found strong associations of amyloidosis with all SpAs (AOR 10.4; 95% CI 8.2 to 13.3) and with each type studied (AORs 10.05 (7.84 to 12. 88) for AS, 9.5 (7.3 to 12.4) for PsA, 22.9 (16.6 to 31.7) for SpA-IBD and 10.1 (6.1 to 16.7) for ReA). CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of amyloidosis among patients with SpA has strongly decreased in Spain. Amyloidosis is most strongly associated with SpA-IBD while the strength of association with PsA and ReA is similar to that with AS.

Risk of acute myocardial infarction among new users of chondroitin sulfate: A nested case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the use of chondroitin sulfate (CS) or glucosamine reduces the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). DESIGN: Case-control study nested in a primary cohort of patients aged 40 to 99 years, using the database BIFAP during the 2002-2015 study period. From this cohort, we identified incident cases of AMI and randomly selected five controls per case, matched by exact age, gender, and index date. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed through a conditional logistic regression. Only new users of CS or glucosamine were considered. RESULTS: A total of 23,585 incident cases of AMI and 117,405 controls were included. Of them, 89 cases (0.38%) and 757 controls (0.64%) were current users of CS at index date, yielding an AOR of 0.57 (95%CI: 0.46-0.72). The reduced risk among current users was observed in both short-term (<365 days, AOR = 0.58; 95%CI: 0.45-0.75) and long-term users (>364 days AOR = 0.56; 95%CI:0.36-0.87), in both sexes (men, AOR = 0.52; 95%CI:0.38-0.70; women, AOR = 0.65; 95%CI:0.46-0.91), in individuals over or under 70 years of age (AOR = 0.54; 95%CI:0.38-0.77, and AOR = 0.61; 95%CI:0.45-0.82, respectively) and in individuals at intermediate (AOR = 0.65; 95%CI:0.48-0.91) and high cardiovascular risk (AOR = 0.48; 95%CI:0.27-0.83), but not in those at low risk (AOR = 1.11; 95%CI:0.48-2.56). In contrast, the current use of glucosamine was not associated with either increased or decreased risk of AMI (AOR = 0.86; 95%CI:0.66-1.08). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support a cardioprotective effect of CS, while glucosamine seems to be neutral. The protection was remarkable among subgroups at high cardiovascular risk.

Orthopedic Surgery in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results from the Spanish National Registry of Hospitalized Patients over 17 Years.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the trend of orthopedic surgery (OS) rates on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Retrospective observational study based on information provided by the Spanish National System of Hospital Data Surveillance. All hospitalizations of patients with RA for orthopedic surgery [total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), arthrodesis, and upper limb arthroplasty (ULA)] during 1999-2015 were analyzed. The age-adjusted rate was calculated. Generalized linear models were used for trend analysis. RESULTS: There were 21,088 OS in patients over 20 years of age (77.9% women). OS rate adjusted by age was 754.63/100,000 RA patients/year (women 707.4, men 861.1). Neither an increasing nor a decreasing trend was noted for the total OS. However, trend and age interacted, so in the age ranges 20-40 years and 40-60 years, an annual reduction of 2.69% and 2.97%, respectively, was noted. In the age ranges over 80 years and 60-80 years, we noted an annual increase of 5.40% and 1.09%, respectively. The average age at time of OS increased 5.5 years during the period analyzed. For specific surgeries, a global annual reduction was noted in rates for arthrodesis. In THA, there was an annual reduction in patients under 80 years. In TKA and ULA, there was an annual reduction in patients under 60 years. CONCLUSION: Although the overall OS rate has not changed, there is a decrease in the rate of arthrodesis at all ages, THA in patients under 80 years of age, as well as TKA and ULA in patients under 60 years of age.

East-west gradient in hip fracture incidence in Spain: how much can we explain by following the pattern of risk factors?

Our objective was to analyze the incidence and trend of hip fracture in Spain and its distribution by Autonomous Community (AC). In Spain, the age-adjusted incidence rate of hip fracture is decreasing. There is great variability in the incidence and tendency of hip fracture among the different ACs. Genetic, demographic, and climatic factors and cohort effect factors of the civil war explain 96% of this variability. INTRODUCTION: In Spain, there is great variability between the different Autonomous Communities (ACs) in the incidence of hip fracture. The objectives of our study are (1) to estimate the incidence rate and trend of hospital admissions for hip fracture in Spain and by ACs and (2) to analyze risk factors/markers that could explain the variability in the incidence and trend between different ACs. METHOD: This work includes 2 studies (TREND-HIP and VAR-HIP). TREND-HIP: retrospective, national, observational study based on the administrative database of the National Health System that includes a Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) of hospital admissions. VAR-HIP: ecological study based on the analysis of the results obtained in TREND-HIP study, with different risk factors/markers obtained from different sources. RESULTS: In the 17 years included in the analysis, there were 744,848 patients diagnosed with hip fracture. The global age-adjusted rate of hip fracture at the national level was 315.38/100,000 person*year (95% CI 312.36-317.45); by AC, the rate varied from 213.97 in the Canary Islands to 363.13 in the Valencia and Cataluña communities. We observe an east-west gradient in Spain. The trend for both sexes was - 0.67% (95% CI 0.9990-0.9957) (p < 0.001). In the analysis of risk factors/markers that explain this distribution, we found significant correlations with genetic factors, demographics, climatic factors and the time a region was on the Republican side of the civil war. The linear regression model that includes the factors that show significant correlation explains 96% of the variability observed. CONCLUSION: In Spain, the age-adjusted incidence rate for hip fracture is decreasing. There is a great variability in the incidence and tendency of hip fracture among the different ACs. Genetic, demographic, climatic factors and the cohort effect of the civil war explain 96% of this variability.

Mortality after osteoporotic hip fracture: incidence, trends, and associated factors.

BACKGROUND: It is known that mortality after hip fracture increases compared to the general population; the trend in mortality is a controversial issue. The objective of this study is to examine incidence, trends, and factors associated with mortality in patients with osteoporotic hip fractures. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study that uses the Registry for Hospital Discharges of the National Health System of our hospital. Patients older than 45 having an osteoporotic hip fracture between 1999 and 2015 were identified. Demographic data and comorbidities were obtained. A survival analysis was performed (Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier). Incidence rate, standardized death rate (SDR), trend (Poisson regression), and risk (hazard ratio) were calculated. RESULTS: During 1999-2015, in our hospital, there were a total of 3992 patients admitted due to osteoporotic hip fracture. Out of these 3992 patients, 3109 patients (77.9%) were women with an average age of 84.47 years (SD 8.45) and 803 (22.1%) were men with an average age of 81.64 years (SD 10.08). The cumulative incidence of mortality was 69.38%. The cumulative mortality rate for 12 months was 33%. The annual mortality was 144.9/1000 patients/year. The 1-year mortality rate increased significantly by 2% per year (IRR 1.020, CI95% 1.008-1.033). The median overall survival was 886 days (CI95% 836-951). The probability of mortality density for a period of 10 years following a hip fracture was 16% for women and 25% for men (first 90 days). The SDR was 8.3 (CI95% 7.98-8.59). Variables that showed statistically significant association with mortality were aged over 75, masculine, institutionalization, mild to severe liver disease, chronic kidney disease, COPD, dementia, heart failure, diabetes, the Charlson Index > 2 , presence of vision disorders and hearing impairment, incontinence, and Downton scale. CONCLUSIONS: For the last 17 years, an increase of mortality for patients with hip fracture and a higher mortality rate in men than in women were observed. Institutionalization combined with comorbidities is associated with a higher mortality.

Weather conditions and their effect on seasonality of incident osteoporotic hip fracture.

Our aim was to analyze the seasonality and the effect of weather conditions on the incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture in a Southern European region. INTRODUCTION: The objective of this work is to evaluate seasonality and the effect of weather conditions on the incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture in a Southern European region. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all patients admitted to Alcorcón Foundation University Hospital with a diagnosis of osteoporotic hip fracture between the years 1999 and 2015. In a time series analysis, we examined the association between hip fracture incidence and different weather conditions and seasonality using general additive models (with Poisson distribution). The incidence rate ratio (IRR) crude and adjusted by season was estimated for all parameters. Hip incidence was further analyzed by sex and age (below or over 75) subgroups. RESULTS: Four thousand two hundred seventy-one patients with an osteoporotic hip fracture were included (79% females, mean age 83.8). Season fracture rate was significantly higher in fall and winter (67.06 and 64.41 fractures/season) compared to summer and spring (59.71 and 60.06; p < 0,001). Hip fracture incidence was 15% greater in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. Fog [IRR 1.15 (95% CI: 1.003-1.33)], atmospheric pressure (per 100 mb) [IRR 1.05 (95% CI: 1.004-1.114)], and frost [IRR 1.15 (95% CI: 1.03-1.30)] were significantly associated with increased hip fracture. Haze [IRR 1.10 (95% CI: 0.99-1.23)] showed a trend without statistical significance. Daily average temperature (per 5 °C) [IRR 0.98 (95% CI: 0.957-0.996)], rain (per 10 ml) [IRR 0.99 (95% CI: 0.981-1.0)], wind speed [IRR = 0.952, (95% CI: 0.907-0.998)], and daily ultraviolet radiation (per 100 joules) [IRR 0.998 (95% CI: 0.996-1.0)] were negatively associated with fracture. After adjusting by season and trend, all these associations disappear. CONCLUSIONS: In this Southern region, hip fracture incidence exhibits a seasonal pattern different from those communicated in Northern regions. There is short-term association with different weather conditions that partly explain this seasonal pattern.

Trends in hip fracture in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results from the Spanish National Inpatient Registry over a 17-year period (1999-2015). TREND-AR study.

PURPOSE: To analyse trends in hip fracture (HF) rates in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over an extended time period (17 years). METHODS: This observational retrospective survey was performed by reviewing data from the National Surveillance System for Hospital Data, which includes more than 98% of Spanish hospitals. All hospitalisations of patients with RA and HF that were reported from 1999 to 2015 were analysed. Codes were selected using the Ninth International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification: ICD-9-CM: RA 714.0 to 714.9 and HF 820.0 to 820.3. The crude and age-adjusted incidence rate of HF was calculated by age and sex strata over the last 17 years. General lineal models were used to analyse trends. RESULTS: Between 1999 and 2015, 6656 HFs occurred in patients with RA of all ages (84.25% women, mean age 77.5 and 15.75% men, mean age 76.37). The age-adjusted osteoporotic HF rate was 221.85/100 000 RA persons/ year (women 227.97; men 179.06). The HF incidence rate increased yearly by 3.1% (95% CI 2.1 to 4.0) during the 1999-2015 period (p<0.001) and was more pronounced in men (3.5% (95% CI 2.1 to 4.9)) than in women (3.1% (95% CI 2.3 to 4.1)). The female to male ratio decreased from 1.54 in 1999 to 1.14 in 2015. The average length of hospital stays (ALHS) decreased (p<0.001) from 16.76 days (SD 15.3) in 1999 to 10.78 days (SD 7.72) in 2015. Age at the time of hospitalisation increased (p<0.001) from 75.3 years (SD 9.33) in 1999 to 79.92 years (SD 9.47) in 2015. There was a total of 326 (4.9%) deaths during admission, 247 (4.4%) in women and 79 (7.5%) in men (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In Spain, despite the advances that have taken place in controlling disease activity and in treating osteoporosis, the incidence rate of HF increased in both male and female patients with RA.

Trends in osteoporotic hip fracture epidemiology over a 17-year period in a Spanish population: Alcorcón 1999-2015.

Our aim was to analyze trends in osteoporotic hip fracture rates in a suburban health area over a long time period. We detected a steady decrease, especially in women, that could be explained by historical, administrative, lifestyle changes as well as by medical behavior. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze trends in osteoporotic hip fracture rates in a suburban health area over a long time period. METHODS: This is an ecological retrospective study of all discharges occurring in the Alcorcón health area and registered in the minimum basic data set (MBDS). The incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture was calculated by age and sex strata over the last 17 years. General lineal models were used to analyze trends. RESULTS: Between 1999 and 2015, 4271 osteoporotic hip fractures occurred in people over 45 (78% women; mean age 83). The annual osteoporotic hip fracture rate was 290/100,000 persons over 45 (women 428; men 134), or 767/100,000 persons over 65 (women 1087, men 364). The incidence of fractures decreased yearly by 3.6% (95% CI 2.8 to 4.5) in the 1999-2015 period (p < 0.001) and was more pronounced in women [3.9% (95% CI 3.0 to 4.8)] than in men [2.4% (95% CI 0.9 to 3.8)]. In people over 65 years, fracture incidence decreased yearly by 3.7% (95% CI 2.8 to 4.6; p < 0.001). Again, this was more pronounced in women [4% (95% CI 3.05 to 4.9)] than in men [2.4 (95% CI 0.8 to 3.9)] while the female/male ratio decreased from 4.45 in 1999 to 2.4 in 2015. These differences were similar for extracapsular and intracapsular fractures. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a downward trend in the incidence of hip fracture in Alcorcón, both in men and in women. Possible explanations are discussed, including the effectiveness of osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment campaigns over the last 20 years, and the so-called "cohort effect."

Cut-Offs and Response Criteria for the Hospital Universitario La Princesa Index (HUPI) and Their Comparison to Widely-Used Indices of Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate cut-off points and to establish response criteria for the Hospital Universitario La Princesa Index (HUPI) in patients with chronic polyarthritis. METHODS: Two cohorts, one of early arthritis (Princesa Early Arthritis Register Longitudinal [PEARL] study) and other of long-term rheumatoid arthritis (Estudio de la Morbilidad y Expresión Clínica de la Artritis Reumatoide [EMECAR]) including altogether 1200 patients were used to determine cut-off values for remission, and for low, moderate and high activity through receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis. The areas under ROC (AUC) were compared to those of validated indexes (SDAI, CDAI, DAS28). ROC analysis was also applied to establish minimal and relevant clinical improvement for HUPI. RESULTS: The best cut-off points for HUPI are 2, 5 and 9, classifying RA activity as remission if ≤2, low disease activity if >2 and ≤5), moderate if >5 and <9 and high if ≥9. HUPI's AUC to discriminate between low-moderate activity was 0.909 and between moderate-high activity 0.887. DAS28's AUCs were 0.887 and 0.846, respectively; both indices had higher accuracy than SDAI (AUCs: 0.832 and 0.756) and CDAI (AUCs: 0.789 and 0.728). HUPI discriminates remission better than DAS28-ESR in early arthritis, but similarly to SDAI. The HUPI cut-off for minimal clinical improvement was established at 2 and for relevant clinical improvement at 4. Response criteria were established based on these cut-off values. CONCLUSIONS: The cut-offs proposed for HUPI perform adequately in patients with either early or long term arthritis.

[Protocol for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in patients with cystic fibrosis]. / Efectividad en la aplicación de tres protocolos de prevención y tratamiento de la osteoporosis en pacientes adultos con fibrosis quística.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Reduction of bone mineral density (BMD) is a complication of cystic fibrosis (CF) which is observed in parallel to the increment of life expectancy in these patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the evolution of BMD following the application of a protocol for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We performed a multidisciplinary prospective study in 21 adult patients with CF with a mean age of 24.3 (r: 19-44) years. We evaluated BMD results depending on the treatment schedule, and the annual relative change of BMD percentage was correlated with changes observed in respiratory function, corporal mass index (CMI), Brasfield radiologic score and Shwachman clinical score for a 3 years follow up period. Three regimens of treatment were applied: general measurements, supplementation of calcium and vitamin D, and 10 daily mg of alendronate plus calcium and vitamin D supplements. RESULTS: Basal assessment showed that 14.2% of CF patients had a marked diminution of bone mass with respect to an age and sex matched control population, with a Z score of < -2 DE in lumbar vertebral and/or total femur. Another 38% showed a lessening of Z score between -1 and -2.5 DE. We observed a progressive annual reduction of BMD in all the anatomic areas analyzed: -0.52% (1.87) in lumbar spine, -1.17% (1.91) in total femur and -2.16% (2.65) in neck femur. The hip BMD annual decrement was related to that observed in FEV1. Only patients treated with alendronate did not suffer progressive BMD lose. Treatment with a combination of calcium, vitamin D and alendronate was more efficient in hip BMD than calcium plus vitamin D alone (p < 0.05). Also, this combination was better than no treatment at hip and femoral neck levels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our work confirms that Spanish young adults patients with CF show low control matched BMD, and that it even worsens at follow-up. This decrement is not adequately halted with preventive treatment with supplements of calcium and vitamin D, and only patients treated with alendronate show increments of their BMD.

[A study of bone mineral density in adult patients with cystic fibrosis]. / Estudio de la densidad mineral ósea en pacientes adultos con fibrosis quística.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Due to recent medical advances, patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) can expect longer survival rates and, as a result, face previously unreported complications such as osteoporosis. Our goal was to determine the mineral bone density in young adult patients with CF attended in the adult CF Unit, and correlate these findings with other clinical variables of interest in this patient population. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We carried out a transversal study from 1999 to 2002 of 34 patients with CF (19 males and 15 females. Mean age 23 years). Upon enrollment in the study, patient gender and age were recorded along with Schwachman and Brasfield scores, pulmonary function test results (spirometry) and sputum analysis, phosphorus and calcium balance, vitamin D intake, and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) findings of the spinal column (L2-L4) and femur. RESULTS: 54.5% of all study patients were found to have an abnormal mineral bone density. Fifteen patients met criteria for osteopenia and 3 for osteoporosis. Age, treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, and pulmonary function test results correlated with bone density. CONCLUSIONS: DEXA scans should be performed in young adults with CF at least once during the course of their illness on the basis of the high prevalence of mineral bone density abnormalities in this population.

[2011 Up-date of the consensus statement of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on osteoporosis]. / Actualización 2011 del consenso Sociedad Española de Reumatología de osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: Due to increasing improvement in the diagnosis, evaluation and management of osteoporosis and the development of new tools and drugs, the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) has promoted the development of recommendations based on the best evidence available. These recommendations should be a reference to rheumatologists and other health professionals involved in the treatment of patients with osteoporosis. METHODS: Recommendations were developed following a nominal group methodology and based on a systematic review. The level of evidence and degree of recommendation were classified according to the model proposed by the Center for Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford. The level of agreement was established through Delphi technique. Evidence from previous consensus and available clinical guidelines was used. RESULTS: We have produced recommendations on diagnosis, evaluation and management of osteoporosis. These recommendations include the glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, premenopausal and male osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: We present the SER recommendations related to the biologic therapy risk management.