Diane L. Schneider

Mortality after all major types of osteoporotic fracture in men and women: an observational study

BACKGROUND Mortality increases after hip fractures in women and more so in men. Little is known, however, about mortality after other fractures. We investigated the mortality associated with all fracture types in elderly women and men. METHODS We did a 5-year prospective cohort study in the semi-urban city of Dubbo, Australia, of all residents aged 60 years and older (2413 women and 1898 men). Low-trauma osteoporotic fractures that occurred between 1989 and 1994, confirmed by radiography and personal interview, were classified as proximal femur, vertebral, and groupings of other major and minor fractures. We calculated standardised mortality rates from death certificates for people with fractures compared with the Dubbo population. FINDINGS 356 women and 137 men had low-trauma fractures. In women and men, mortality was increased in the first year after all major fractures. In women, age-standardised mortality ratios were 2.18 (95% CI 2.03-2.32) for proximal femur, 1.66 (1.51-1.80) for vertebral, 1.92 (1.70-2.14) for other major, and 0.75 (0.66-0.84) for minor fractures. In men, these ratios were 3.17 (2.90-3.44) for proximal femur, 2.38 (2.17-2.59) for vertebral, 2.22 (1.91-2.52) for other major, and 1.45 (1.25-1.65) for minor fractures. There were excess deaths (excluding minor fractures in women) in all age-groups. INTERPRETATION All major fractures were associated with increased mortality, especially in men. The loss of potential years of life in the younger age-group shows that preventative strategies for fracture should not focus on older patients at the expense of younger women and of men.

The Contribution of Testosterone to Skeletal Development and Maintenance: Lessons from the Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome

Although androgen status affects bone mass in women and men, an androgen requirement for skeletal normalcy has not been established. Women with androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) have 46,XY genotypes with androgen receptor abnormalities rendering them partially or completely refractory to androgen. Twenty-eight women with AIS (22 complete and 6 high grade partial), aged 11-65 yr, responded to questionnaires about health history, gonadal surgery, and exogenous estrogen use and underwent bone mineral density (BMD) assessment by dual energy x-ray absortiometry. BMD values at the lumbar spine and proximal femur were compared to age-specific female normative values and listed as z-scores. Average height for adults in this cohort, 174 cm (68.5 in.), was moderately increased compared with the average height of adult American women of 162.3 cm, with skewing toward higher values: 5 women exceeded 6 ft in height, and 30% of the 18 adult women with complete AIS exceeded 5 ft, 11 in. in height. The average lumbar spine and hip BMD z-scores of the 6 women with partial AIS did not differ from population norms. In contrast, the average lumbar spine BMD z-score of women with complete AIS was significantly reduced at -1.08 (P = 0.0003), whereas the average value for hip BMD did not differ from normal. When BMD was compared between women who reported good estrogen replacement therapy compliance and those who reported poor compliance, there was a significantly greater deficit at the spine for women with poor compliance (z = -2.15 +/- 0.15 vs. -0.75 +/- 0.28; P < .0001). Furthermore, hip BMD was also significantly reduced in the noncompliant group (z = -0.95 +/- .40). Comparison of BMD values to normative male standards gave z-score reductions (z = -1.81 +/- 0.36) greater than those observed with female standards. Because of the high prevalence of tall stature in this study sample, we calculated bone mineral apparent density, a variable that adjusts for differences in bone size. Even for the estrogen-compliant group, bone mineral apparent density z-scores were subnormal at both the spine (z = -1.3 +/- 0.43; P < 0.01) and the hip (z = -1.38 +/- 0.28; P = 0.017). Six women with complete AIS had sustained cortical bone fractures, of whom 3 reported multiple (>3) fractures. We conclude that even when compliance to exogenous estrogen use is excellent, women with complete AIS show moderate deficits in spine BMD, averaging close to 1 SD from normative means, and that with correction of BMD for bone size, skeletal deficits are magnified and include the proximal femur. The results suggest that severe osteopenia in some women with AIS probably reflects a component of inadequate estrogen replacement rather than androgen lack alone.

Vitamin C Supplement Use and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women

Vitamin C is known to stimulate procollagen, enhance collagen synthesis, and stimulate alkaline phosphatase activity, a marker for osteoblast formation. Studies of dietary vitamin C intake and the relation with bone mineral density (BMD) have been conflicting, probably because of the well‐known limitations of dietary nutrient assessment questionnaires. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the independent relation of daily vitamin C supplement use with BMD in a population‐based sample of postmenopausal women. Subjects were 994 women from a community‐based cohort of whom 277 women were regular vitamin C supplement users. Vitamin C supplement use was validated. Daily vitamin C supplement intake ranged from 100 to 5000 mg; the mean daily dose was 745 mg. Average duration of use was 12.4 years; 85% had taken vitamin C supplements for more than 3 years. BMD levels were measured at the ultradistal and midshaft radii, hip, and lumbar spine. After adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), and total calcium intake, vitamin C users had BMD levels approximately 3% higher at the midshaft radius, femoral neck, and total hip (p < 0.05). In a fully adjusted model, significant differences remained at the femoral neck (p < 0.02) and marginal significance was observed at the total hip (p < 0.06). Women taking both estrogen and vitamin C had significantly higher BMD levels at all sites. Among current estrogen users, those also taking vitamin C had higher BMD levels at all sites, with marginal significance achieved at the ultradistal radius (p < 0.07), femoral neck (p < 0.07), and total hip (p < 0.09). Women who took vitamin C plus calcium and estrogen had the highest BMD at the femoral neck (p = 0.001), total hip (p = 0.05), ultradistal radius (p = 0.02), and lumbar spine. Vitamin C supplement use appears to have a beneficial effect on levels of BMD, especially among postmenopausal women using concurrent estrogen therapy and calcium supplements.

Effects of lower doses of conjugated equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate on endometrial bleeding.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate vaginal bleeding profiles with lower doses of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) as continuous combined therapy. DESIGN The Womens Health, Osteoporosis, Progestin, Estrogen (Womens HOPE) study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING Study centers across the United States. PATIENT(S) Two thousand six hundred seventy-three healthy, postmenopausal women. INTERVENTION(S) Women received CEE, 0.625 mg/d; CEE, 0.625 mg/d, plus MPA 2.5 mg/d; CEE, 0.45 mg/d; CEE, 0.45 mg/d, plus MPA, 2.5 mg/d; CEE 0.45 mg/d, plus MPA, 1.5 mg/d; CEE, 0.3 mg/d; CEE, 0.3 mg/d, plus MPA, 1.5 mg/d; or placebo for 1 year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Bleeding data were analyzed in efficacy-evaluable and intention-to-treat populations. RESULT(S) Cumulative amenorrhea and no bleeding rates were higher with lower doses of CEE/MPA than with CEE 0.625/MPA 2.5. A linear trend between time since menopause and cumulative amenorrhea was observed (P<.05) in all CEE/MPA groups except the CEE 0.45/MPA 1.5 group. The proportion of patients who experienced no bleeding in cycle 1 was 89%, 82%, and 80% in the CEE 0.3/MPA 1.5, CEE 0.45/MPA 1.5, and CEE 0.45/MPA 2.5 groups, respectively. These values were significantly greater than the incidence of no bleeding in the CEE 0.625/MPA 2.5 group (P<.05). CONCLUSION(S) Lower-dose regimens of CEE and MPA produce higher rates of amenorrhea and no bleeding compared with CEE 0.625/MPA 2.5 and may be appropriate for newly menopausal patients.

Effect of alendronate on vertebral fracture risk in women with bone mineral density T scores of -1.6 to -2.5 at the femoral neck : The fracture intervention trial

OBJECTIVES To determine the efficacy of alendronate treatment on risk of vertebral fracture in a subgroup of women from the Fracture Intervention Trial who had bone mineral density T scores between -1.6 and -2.5 at the femoral neck and to describe how soon after initiation of therapy alendronate becomes effective and whether it is consistent in women with and without existing radiographic vertebral fracture. PATIENTS AND METHODS From May 1992 to March 1997, postmenopausal women aged 55 to 80 years were randomized to receive alendronate at 5 mg/d for 2 years and 10 mg/d thereafter or placebo for up to 4.5 years (mean, 3.8 years) in a controlled, double-blind, multicenter study. RESULTS A total of 3737 postmenopausal women were included in the study, 1878 in the alendronate group and 1859 in the placebo group. Risk of vertebral fracture was significantly reduced by alendronate compared with placebo for clinical (relative risk [RR], 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19-0.76; P=.005) and radiographic (RR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.41-0.81; P=-.002) fracture. The reductions in vertebral fracture risk were consistent in women with and without an existing radiographic vertebral fracture for clinical (RR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.12-0.84; and RR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.16-1.17; respectively) and radiographic (RR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.34-0.82; and RR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.38-1.10; respectively) fractures. In both groups, the effect of alendronate on clinical vertebral fracture was noted soon after therapy was initiated. The absolute risk of vertebral fracture was low in women without a baseline radiographic fracture. CONCLUSIONS In women with low bone mass who do not meet the bone mineral density criterion for osteoporosis, alendronate is effective in reducing the risk of vertebral fractures. The absolute benefit of this therapy in women with a T score between -1.6 and -2.5 is greater in women with an existing vertebral fracture and/or with other risk factors. The effect of alendronate occurs early.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Bone Mineral Density in Older Women: The Rancho Bernardo Study

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to inhibit synthesis of prostaglandins and may help prevent bone loss, but no study has shown the differential association of type or dose of NSAID compound with bone mineral density (BMD). The purpose of this study was to determine the relation of NSAIDs by type and dose to BMD. Participants were 932 Caucasian, community‐dwelling women aged 44–98 years from southern California. Data were collected from 1988 to 1991 through the use of standardized medical questionnaires. Medication use was validated by a nurse. BMD at the ultradistal and midshaft radii were measured using single‐photon absorptiometry, and at the hip and lumbar spine using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Women (mean age, 72 years) were classified into 818 nonusers and 114 regular daily users of NSAIDs, of which 84 used propionic acid NSAIDs and the remainder used acetic acid NSAIDs. Occasional NSAID users were excluded. Women who used propionic acid NSAIDs, but not acetic acid NSAIDs, had higher BMD at all five sites and significantly higher BMD at the midshaft radius and lumbar spine. These differences remained after controlling for known covariates of osteoporosis. When women with self‐reported osteoarthritis were excluded from the model, significantly higher BMD in propionic acid NSAID users was also observed at the femoral neck and total hip. Those who concurrently used estrogen and propionic acid NSAIDs had the highest BMD at all sites, suggesting an additive effect. We conclude that regular daily use of propionic acid NSAIDs, with or without simultaneous use of estrogen, may be helpful in preventing bone loss in older women. However, further research is needed to confirm these results before any clinical practice guidelines can be recommended due to the increased risk of serious complications associated with NSAID use.

Alendronate Reduces the Risk of Multiple Symptomatic Fractures: Results from the Fracture Intervention Trial

To evaluate the effect of alendronate on the occurrence rate of multiple symptomatic fractures and on the risk of multiple symptomatic fractures (likelihood of having more than one fracture diagnosed because of the symptoms the fractures caused over the study period) among women with osteoporosis.

Influence of insurance coverage on delays in seeking emergency care in patients with acute chest pain

The time required to decide to seek medical care for acute chest pain is the major modifiable component in the process of care delivery. This study demonstrates that prehospital delay in the setting of acute chest pain was related to the type of health insurance.

The primary care osteoporosis risk of fracture screening (POROS) study: Design and baseline characteristics

OBJECTIVE POROS evaluates a 3-step fracture risk screening program in women 50-64 not previously diagnosed with osteoporosis. This report details the research design and baseline characteristics. METHODS Recruiting from 6 primary care sites, baseline characteristics, including fracture risk factors, were assessed via self-administered questionnaires (SAQs). Subjects with >or=1 risk factor were randomized to Intervention or Non-Intervention. Those without any risk factors were placed in the No Risk Factors group. Bone turnover was measured in the Intervention group via urine N-telopeptide (NTx) testing. Subjects with NTx>50 had central hip and spine Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (dxa). All groups were followed for 24 months, completing SAQs on osteoporosis management and fractures. At baseline, comparisons were made on demographics, health status, and prevalence of fracture risk factors. RESULTS 2839 women were enrolled and included in baseline analyses (1464 Intervention, 372 Non-Intervention, and 1003 No Risk Factors). The mean age was 56.1 and 81.1% were postmenopausal. As expected by randomization, the Intervention and Non-Intervention groups had similar baseline characteristics. The most commonly reported fracture risk factors were body mass index <24 kg/m(2) and needing to use arms to stand from a chair. Subjects in the No Risk Factors group were more likely to be younger, heavier, Hispanic, in good health, a non-smoker, and to drink less alcohol. CONCLUSION A stepwise screening program, utilizing data on fracture risk factors and high bone turnover prior to obtaining central bone density, can contribute significantly to fracture risk assessment in perimenopausal and younger postmenopausal women.

Images in DensitometryA Case Study

This is a 65-yr-old woman with dermatomyositis and extensive calcinosis. On physical examination subcutaneous nodules were widely distributed on her chest and extremities. Her current CPK is 163 IU/L (normal range 0-175); however, with a recent flare of her symptoms, the CPK peaked at 411 IU/L. Her current medications are Imuran 25 mg/d, Prednisone 4 mg/d, and conjugated equine estrogen 0.625 mg/d.