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Susan L Greenspan

Publications and source records attributed to Susan L Greenspan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Elevations in serum and urinary calcium with parathyroid hormone (1-84) with and without alendronate for osteoporosis.

CONTEXT: The effect of PTH therapy on serum and urinary calcium levels and the risk of hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria has not been formally evaluated. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine changes in serum and urinary calcium associated with PTH(1-84) therapy in the PaTH trial and the extent to which a defined algorithm resolved the elevated values. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTION: A total of 178 postmenopausal women were randomized to PTH(1-84) either alone or in combination with alendronate during the first year of the PaTH study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The main outcome measures were fasting serum calcium at baseline and 1, 3, and 12 months and 24-h urinary calcium at baseline and 3 months. RESULTS: In 14% of participants, serum calcium more than 10.5 mg/dl (>2.6 mmol/liter) developed. Following the defined algorithm, 58% of elevated measurements were normal on repeat testing; 38% required discontinuation of calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and one necessitated a decrease in PTH injection frequency to normalize serum calcium. One participant developed transient hypercalcemia between study visits and required hospitalization; the episode resolved with iv hydration and PTH discontinuation. Baseline characteristics associated with the development of hypercalcemia were serum calcium [relative hazards = 1.9 per 0.5 mg/dl (0.12 mmol/liter); 95% confidence interval = 1.1-3.2] and serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [relative hazard = 1.9 per 10 pg/ml (26 pmol/liter); 95% confidence interval = 1.2-3.1]. Fifteen women (8%) developed hypercalciuria [urinary calcium > 400 mg (100 mmol)/24 h or calcium/creatinine ratio > 0.4]; 80% of cases resolved after discontinuing calcium and vitamin D, 13% without intervention, and one after PTH injection frequency was decreased. Higher baseline urinary calcium excretion was associated with development of hypercalciuria [relative hazard = 1.5 per 50 mg/d (12.5 mmol/d); 95% confidence interval = 1.2-4.0]. Proportions of patients with elevated serum and urinary calcium were similar on single and combination therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of episodic hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria in the PaTH trial was 21%. Episodes were generally mild, and nearly all cases resolved spontaneously or with discontinuation of calcium and vitamin D. The algorithms used to address hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria in the PaTH trial proved effective in safely resolving clinical episodes of increased urinary or serum calcium and might therefore be helpful to clinicians caring for patients on PTH.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Prevention of bone loss in survivors of breast cancer: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Few data are available on the safety and efficacy of once-weekly oral bisphosphonate therapy in breast cancer survivors. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine whether risedronate, 35 mg weekly, is efficacious and safe in preventing bone loss associated with chemotherapy-induced menopause. DESIGN: The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial over 12 months. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 87 newly postmenopausal women with status post chemotherapy, recruited from a breast cancer clinic in an academic medical center. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned to receive risedronate 35 mg/wk or placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes were the 12-month changes in spine and hip bone mineral density. Secondary outcomes included changes in markers of bone resorption (urine N-telopeptide cross-linked collagen type I) and formation (osteocalcin, N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen, and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase). RESULTS: After 12 months, bone mineral density increased by 1.2% at the spine and 1.3% at the hip in women on risedronate vs. significant decreases for women in the placebo group of 0.9% at the spine and 0.8% at the hip (P < 0.01, difference between groups). N-telopeptide cross-linked collagen type I, a marker of bone resorption, decreased by 19.3%, and N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen, a marker of bone formation, decreased by 26.6% in participants on active therapy compared with increases in the control group. Risedronate was well tolerated, and the retention rate was 95% at 1 yr. CONCLUSIONS: Risedronate once weekly prevented bone loss and reduced bone turnover in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy. Early measures to prevent bone loss should be considered in this cohort of breast cancer survivors.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2006

A pilot study of heel ultrasound to screen for low bone mass in children with leukemia.

The optimal method to assess pediatric bone mass remains controversial. Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is commonly used but quantitative ultrasound is less expensive, free of ionizing radiation, and predicts fractures as well as DXA does, in adults. Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) was determined using a portable calcaneal ultrasonometer and, compared with DXA derived areal bone mineral density (BMD) values in 42 young patients (ages 4.5 to 20.3 y) with leukemia. Reduced BMD was defined as a DXA z score of <-1. Mean z scores for lumbar spine BMD were significantly lower than zero (-0.77+/-1.23 SD, P=0.0004). Mean z scores for whole body BMD were also significantly lower than different from 0 (-0.34+/-1.04 SD, P=0.05). Calcaneal BUA was highly correlated with DXA measurement of lumbar, whole body, and femoral neck BMD. BUA was significantly associated with the probability of having a reduced lumbar BMD z score (P=0.03) and having a reduced whole body z score of (P=0.03). Area under the receiver operator characteristic curves for model including BUA predicting reduced bone density by DXA were 0.77 and 0.86 for lumbar and whole body z score cutoffs, respectively. Our data suggest that calcaneal BUA may serve as a reliable screening tool to detect reduced bone mass in pediatric patients with leukemia.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2006

Quality of life in prostate cancer patients taking androgen deprivation therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), self-reported HRQOL was compared in prostate cancer patients receiving short- (< 6 months) or long-term (> or = 6 months) ADT and healthy controls. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Academic medical center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-six men, including those with prostate cancer receiving short-term, long-term, and no ADT and healthy controls. Men taking medications or having diseases known to affect bone mineral metabolism were excluded. MEASUREMENTS: The 36-item Short Form Medical Outcomes Study Health Survey (an HRQOL assessment) and a comorbidity index were administered to each participant. Characteristics, including body composition (assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) and gonadal status (serum total and free testosterone) were measured approximately 3 months or less before the HRQOL assessment. RESULTS: As expected, men receiving ADT had significantly lower levels of testosterone, free testosterone, and lean body mass, as well as greater body fat and comorbidity index (all P<.01) than men not receiving ADT (i.e., men with prostate cancer and healthy controls). Participants receiving ADT reported significantly poorer QOL in the areas of physical function (P<.001), general health (P<.001), and physical health component summary (P<.001) than men not receiving ADT. There were no significant differences in HRQOL outcomes between participants receiving short- or long-term ADT. Comorbidity and testosterone levels were associated with several QOL scales. After controlling for the significant joint predictors of comorbidity and total testosterone using hierarchical regression analysis, ADT was no longer a significant predictor, and only comorbidity and total testosterone contributed to the explanation of the variance of the physical health component summary. Comorbidity alone contributed to the explanation of the variance in physical function, bodily pain, general health, and vitality. CONCLUSION: Patients with prostate cancer who were receiving ADT experience worse HRQOL than those not receiving ADT, but duration of ADT was not a contributing factor. After controlling for comorbidity, total testosterone level rather than ADT accounted for a small yet statistically significant percentage of the total variance of the physical health component summary. These findings have important clinical implications regarding the decision to treat prostate cancer patients with ADT.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Bone loss after initiation of androgen deprivation therapy in patients with prostate cancer.

CONTEXT: Although androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer is associated with bone loss, little is known about when this bone loss occurs. OBJECTIVE: We postulated that men on ADT would experience the greatest bone loss acutely after initiation of ADT. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a 12-month prospective study at an academic medical center. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: We studied 152 men with prostate cancer (30 with acute ADT, < 6 months; 50 with chronic ADT, > or = 6 months; and 72 with no ADT) and 43 healthy age-matched controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed bone mineral density (BMD) of the hip, wrist, total body, and spine; body composition; and markers of bone turnover. RESULTS: After 12 months, men receiving acute ADT had a significant reduction in BMD of 2.5 +/- 0.6% at the total hip, 2.4 +/- 1.0% at the trochanter, 2.6 +/- 0.5% at the total radius, 3.3 +/- 0.5% at the total body, and 4.0 +/- 1.5% at the posteroanterior spine (all P < 0.05). Men with chronic ADT had a 2.0 +/- 0.6% reduction in BMD at the total radius (P < 0.05). Healthy controls and men with prostate cancer not receiving ADT had no significant reduction in BMD. Both use and duration of ADT were associated with change in bone mass at the hip (P < 0.05). Men receiving acute ADT had a 10.4 +/- 1.7% increase in total body fat and a 3.5 +/- 0.5% reduction in total body lean mass at 12 months, whereas body composition did not change in men with prostate cancer on chronic ADT or in healthy controls (P < 0.05). Markers of bone formation and resorption were elevated in men receiving acute ADT after 6 and 12 months compared with the other men with prostate cancer and controls (P < 0.05). Men in the highest tertile of bone turnover markers at 6 months had the greatest loss of bone density at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Men with prostate cancer who are initiating ADT have a 5- to 10-fold increased loss of bone density at multiple skeletal sites compared with either healthy controls or men with prostate cancer who are not on ADT, placing them at increased risk of fracture. Bone loss is maximal in the first year after initiation of ADT, suggesting initiation of early preventive therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

One year of alendronate after one year of parathyroid hormone (1-84) for osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: Since the use of parathyroid hormone as a treatment for osteoporosis is limited to two years or less, the question of whether antiresorptive therapy should follow parathyroid hormone therapy is important. We previously reported results after the first year of this randomized trial comparing the use of full-length parathyroid hormone (1-84) alone, alendronate alone, or both combined. In the continuation of this trial, we asked whether antiresorptive therapy is required to maintain gains in bone mineral density after one year of therapy with parathyroid hormone (1-84). METHODS: In the data reported here, women who had received parathyroid hormone (1-84) monotherapy (100 microg daily) in year 1 were randomly reassigned to one additional year with either placebo (60 subjects) or alendronate (59 subjects). Subjects who had received combination therapy in year 1 received alendronate in year 2; those who had received alendronate monotherapy in year 1 continued with alendronate in year 2. Bone mineral density at the spine and hip was assessed with the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and quantitative computed tomography (CT). RESULTS: Over two years, alendronate therapy after parathyroid hormone therapy led to significant increases in bone mineral density in comparison with the results for placebo after parathyroid hormone therapy, a difference particularly evident for bone mineral density in trabecular bone at the spine on quantitative CT (an increase of 31 percent in the parathyroid hormone-alendronate group as compared with 14 percent in the parathyroid hormone-placebo group). During year 2, subjects receiving placebo lost substantial bone mineral density. CONCLUSIONS: After one year of parathyroid hormone (1-84), densitometric gains appear to be maintained or increased with alendronate but lost if parathyroid hormone is not followed by an antiresorptive agent. These results have clinical implications for therapeutic choices after the discontinuation of parathyroid hormone.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Effect of hormone replacement, alendronate, or combination therapy on hip structural geometry: a 3-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

UNLABELLED: This study examined the effect of hormone replacement, alendronate, or combination therapy on hip structural geometry in 373 postmenopausal women over 3 years. We found that antiresorptive agents alone or in combination result in improvement in parameters of hip structural geometry and BMD. These data provide additional information regarding potential mechanisms for fracture reduction with antiresorptive therapy. INTRODUCTION: Fracture reduction is only partially explained by increased BMD. The aim of this study was to examine changes in structural geometry of the hip, derived from DXA in postmenopausal women after treatment with antiresorptive agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of 373 women over the age of 65 years, who were randomized to hormone replacement therapy, alendronate, combination therapy, or placebo for 3 years. The outcomes included the DXA-derived hip structure analysis program by Beck, which is an engineering interpretation of the DXA data. The indices included cross-sectional area, section modulus (a measure of bending strength), outer diameter, cortical thickness, and buckling ratio (an index of cortical bone stability). Properties were measured in cross-sectional regions traversing the femur at the narrowest point on the femoral neck, the intertrochanteric region, and the proximal shaft. RESULTS: In the femoral neck, improvement in the hip structure analysis indices were generally significantly greater with combination therapy than either monotherapy; increases were also greater at the intertrochanter compared with hormone replacement therapy. For example, the section modulus at the intertrochanter and narrow neck increased 10.6% and 10.3%, respectively, with combination therapy, 9.1% and 7.3% with alendronate, 5.8% and 6.9% with hormone replacement therapy, and 3.4% and 3.2% with placebo (p < 0.01 across the four groups). Buckling ratio increased, suggesting decreased stability in the placebo group, whereas there was either no change or significant improvements (p < 0.05) in each active treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that changes in the distribution of bone mass underlying the improvements in density with antiresorptive agents in combination or alone have positive effects on structural strength and stability at the proximal femur. This study provides additional information on the potential mechanisms for fracture reduction with antiresorptive agents.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Early changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover are associated with long-term changes in bone mineral density in elderly women on alendronate, hormone replacement therapy, or combination therapy: a three-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

Elderly women on combination therapy with alendronate and hormone replacement for osteoporosis have greater gains in bone mass than those on monotherapy. It is not known whether early changes in markers can predict the long-term changes in bone density with therapy. We assessed bone density and biochemical markers of bone turnover [urine N-telopeptide cross-linked collagen type 1 (NTx), serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin] every 6 months for 3 yr in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. After a 3-month run-in phase, 373 community-dwelling, elderly women were randomized to 1) alendronate, 2) hormone replacement therapy, 3) combination therapy with alendronate and hormone replacement therapy, or 4) placebo. Women on active treatment with the greatest decrease in markers of bone turnover at 6 months had the greatest increases in spine and hip bone density at 3 yr. The response to alendronate was generally associated with greater reductions in markers than the response to hormone replacement and was associated with greater increases in bone density at the spine and hip. Those in the tertile with the greatest decrease in urinary NTx had a 10.1% increase in spine bone density and a 6.1% increase in hip bone density compared with those in the lowest tertile, who had a 5.9% increase in spine bone density and a 2.1% increase in hip bone density. In women on active treatment, the area under the receiver operator curve for a 6-month change in markers to predict a response in bone mineral density at 3 yr was highest for urine NTx (range, 75-78%) and lowest for osteocalcin (range, 60-66%). We conclude that short-term changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover at 6 months predict bone density changes at the spine and hip at 3 yr in elderly women on alendronate, hormone replacement therapy, or combination therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

The effect of hormone replacement on physical performance in community-dwelling elderly women.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to determine the effect of hormone replacement on physical performance measures, functional ability, physical activity, falls, and cognitive function in elderly women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Following a 3-month, open-label, run-in phase, we randomized 373 community-dwelling women aged 65 years and older to receive conjugated equine estrogen 0.625 mg/day plus or minus medroxyprogesterone 2.5 mg/day vs placebo for 3 years in a double-blind fashion. We assessed time to rise from a chair, timed walking, balance, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Physical Activity Scale of the Elderly, Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination, and falls. RESULTS: Over 3 years, except for balance scores, performance measures declined significantly (all P<.05). There were no significant mean differences between women on hormone replacement versus placebo for rising time (0.1, -0.5 to 0.7 seconds [mean, 95% confidence interval]), walking normal (0.0, -0.4 to 0.4 seconds), and walking fast (0.2, -0.1 to 0.6 seconds). There were no significant mean differences between the two groups for the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (0.1, -0.1 to 0.3 points), Physical Activity Scale of the Elderly (-3, -15 to 8 points), Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (-0.1, -0.3 to 0.3 points), or the proportion of participants reporting falls (-1, -11 to 9%). CONCLUSION: In elderly women, hormone replacement had no statistically significant effect on cognition or balance, nor did it prevent the age-related decline in physical measures of mobility, ability to rise from a chair, self-reported activities of daily living, physical activity scores, or falls.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2005

Vitamin D supplementation in older women.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine if vitamin D supplementation, 400-800 IU daily, could effectively treat vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency over 3 months. METHODS: To test this hypothesis, we conducted a cross-sectional survey followed by a 3-month, open-label run-in phase prior to a randomized clinical trial. We enrolled 573 community-dwelling women age 65 or older, 373 of whom completed the run-in phase. All women received a daily multivitamin containing 400 IU of vitamin D and one to two calcium supplements containing 200 IU of vitamin D. We assessed bone mineral metabolism (including 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone), markers of bone turnover, and bone mineral density. RESULTS: Of the 553 screened participants who had baseline vitamin D levels available, 16% had vitamin D deficiency (serum vitamin D < 10 ng/ml) and 48% had vitamin D insufficiency (serum vitamin D between 10 and 20 ng/ml). Only 36% of participants had normal vitamin D levels (serum vitamin D > or = 20 ng/ml). Baseline vitamin D intake was negatively associated with serum parathyroid hormone (r = -0.29, p <.0001), and not associated with bone mineral density or bone resorption. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with decreased physical activity and slower gait. Of the 373 women who completed the run-in phase and received treatment with a multivitamin and vitamin D-containing calcium supplement, vitamin D deficiency decreased from 16% at baseline to 0% at 3 months, and vitamin D insufficiency decreased from 48% at baseline to 20% at 3 months (p <.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, which are common among ambulatory, community-dwelling elderly women, can be normalized in 80% of patients over 3 months with vitamin D supplementation of 400-800 IU/d.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Altered bone mass in children at diagnosis of Crohn disease: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have indicated that bone mineral density is reduced in children with inflammatory bowel disease. The exact cause of this reduction is unclear, but it is often attributed to corticosteroid use. This study examined the prevalence of reduced bone mass in otherwise healthy children newly diagnosed with Crohn disease without previous corticosteroid exposure. METHODS: Eighteen steroid-naive children newly diagnosed with Crohn disease underwent dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Disease activity, growth and pubertal development, nutritional assessment and bone mass measurements were recorded. z scores were adjusted for bone age. RESULTS: Five of the 18 patients (28%) had a total bone mineral density z score less than -1 (one had a z score less than -2). Ten (56%) subjects had lumbar spine bone mineral density z scores less than -1 (two had z score less than -2). The subjects had significantly reduced mean lumbar spine bone mineral density z scores (P = 0.002). Delayed pubertal development correlated with whole body bone mineral density z scores (r = 0.64; P = 0.004). Most subjects were not meeting United States recommended dietary allowances for daily intake of calcium, vitamin D and total calories. The majority of subjects were not participating in weight-bearing physical activity. CONCLUSION: Decreased bone mass is common in steroid naive children newly diagnosed with Crohn disease. Crohn disease appears to contribute to impaired bone mass independent of corticosteroid therapy.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2005

Vitamin D insufficiency in preadolescent African-American children.

To determine the proportion of vitamin D insufficiency in 6- to 10-year-old preadolescent African-American children residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and to estimate their therapeutic response to vitamin D 400 IU/day for 1-month, an open-label pre- and post-comparison of vitamin D status following vitamin D 400 IU daily for 1 month during winter and early spring was conducted. Outcomes included serum calcium, phosphorus, albumin, 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25 (OH) D], 1, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D [1, 25 (OH) (2) D], parathyroid hormone (PTH), and markers of bone turnover (serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and urine n-telopeptide crosslinked collagen type 1 [NTX]). Dietary intake of vitamin D was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Forty-one of the 42 enrolled subjects (mean age: 8.9 +/- 1.2 yrs [SD]) were analyzed, and 20/41 (49%) were vitamin D insufficient. Vitamin D insufficient group had a suggestive trend of being older (9.2 +/- 1.0 years vs. 8.5 +/- 1.3 years, p = 0.06) and more pubertally advanced (Tanner II: 7/20 vs. Tanner II: 1/21, p = 0.02). Mean dietary intake of vitamin D was 277 ( 146 IU/day (n = 41). Adequate intake for vitamin D (200 IU/day) was not met in 16/41 (39%); however, the dietary intake of vitamin D was not significantly different between the vitamin D insufficient and vitamin D sufficient groups.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2004

Skeletal integrity in patients with nail patella syndrome.

Nail patella syndrome (NPS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder resulting from a heterogeneous loss of function in the LMX1B gene. It is associated with multiple skeletal deformities, yet it is unknown whether this is associated with osteoporosis. To examine bone mass and the prevalence of fragility fractures, we assessed bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine and hip in 31 adults and 12 children with mutation-confirmed NPS and 60 healthy age- and gender-matched adult controls. For the adults with NPS, BMD was 11-20% lower at the hip sites (P < or = 0.001) and 8% lower at the spine (P < 0.05) than that of controls. Even when adjusted for body mass index, the BMD remained significantly lower in patients with NPS in all hip regions but not in the spine. Adults with NPS also had a significantly lower Z-score (sd values from normal) at all hip sites (all P < 0.05), compared with age- and gender-matched controls in the manufacturer's database. However, children had significantly lower Z-scores only at the femoral neck and trochanter. Participants with NPS also had a higher prevalence of fractures (odds ratio 30.9, 95% confidence interval 6.4-149.6, P < 0.001) and scoliosis (odds ratio 16.0, 95% confidence interval 3.3-78.2, P < 0.001). The majority of these fractures occurred in women before puberty and in long bones, especially the clavicle. We conclude that adults with NPS have a BMD that is 8-20% lower than controls, which is associated with an increase in the prevalence of fractures and scoliosis. Future studies are needed to determine whether bone quality, geometry, or turnover could account for these findings.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity leads to an increase in bone turnover and a decrease in bone mass.

Little is known about the effects on the skeleton of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRGB) surgery for morbid obesity and subsequent weight loss. We compared 25 patients who had undergone LRGB 11 +/- 3 months previously with 30 obese controls matched for age, gender, and menopausal status. Compared with obese controls, patients post LRGB had significantly lower weight (92 +/- 16 vs. 133 +/- 20 kg; P < 0.001) and body mass index (31 +/- 5 vs. 48 +/- 7 kg/m(2); P < 0.001). Markers of bone turnover were significantly elevated in patients post LRGB compared with controls (urinary N-telopeptide cross-linked collagen type 1, 93 +/- 38 vs. 24 +/- 11 nmol bone collagen equivalents per mmol creatinine; and osteocalcin, 11.6 +/- 3.4 vs. 7.6 +/- 3.6 ng/ml; both P < 0.001). Fifteen patients were studied prospectively for an average of 9 months after LRGB. They lost 37 +/- 9 kg and had a 29 +/- 8% fall in body mass index (both P < 0.001). Urinary N-telopeptide cross-linked collagen type 1 increased by 174 +/- 168% at 3 months (P < 0.01) and 319 +/- 187% at 9 months (P < 0.01). Bone mineral density decreased significantly at the total hip (7.8 +/- 4.8%; P < 0.001), trochanter (9.3 +/- 5.7%; P < 0.001), and total body (1.6 +/- 2.0%; P < 0.05), with significant decreases in bone mineral content at these sites. In summary, within 3 to 9 months after LRGB, morbidly obese patients have an increase in bone resorption associated with a decrease in bone mass. Additional studies are needed to examine these findings over the longer term.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Vignettes in osteoporosis: a road map to successful therapeutics.

UNLABELLED: The diagnosis and management of osteoporosis have become increasingly more complex as new drugs enter the marketplace and meta-analyses of randomized trials with "other" agents become more prolific. We describe five common clinical scenarios encountered in the practice of osteoporosis medicine and various road maps that could lead to successful therapy. INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis have changed dramatically in the last decade. Advances in diagnostic technologies and a range of newer treatment options have provided the clinician with a wide array of choices for treating this chronic disease. Despite the issuance of several "guidelines" and practice recommendations, there still remains confusion among clinicians about basic approaches to the management of osteoporosis. This paper should be used as a case-based approach to define optimal therapeutic choices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five representative cases were selected from two very large clinical practices (Bangor, ME; Pittsburgh, PA). Diagnostic modalities and treatment options used in these cases were selected on an evidence-based analysis of respective clinical trials. Subsequent to narrative choices by two metabolic bone disease specialists (SG and CR), calculation of future fracture risk and selection of potential alternative therapeutic regimens were reviewed and critiqued by an epidemiologist (DB). RESULTS: A narrative about each case and possible management choices for each of the five cases are presented with references to justify selection of the various therapeutic options. Alternatives are considered and discussed based on literature and references through July 2003. The disposition of the individual patient is noted at the end of each case. CONCLUSIONS: A case-based approach to the management of osteoporosis provides a useful interface between guidelines, evidence-based meta-analyses, and clinical practice dilemmas.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

The management of osteoporosis following hip fracture: have we improved our care?

To determine if physicians have improved the recognition and treatment of osteoporosis in patients with an acute hip fracture, we performed a retrospective analysis of discharge data from 1995 and 2000 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a large tertiary care, academic institution. We examined patients admitted with an acute hip fracture in 1995 and 2000 and age- and sex-matched patients admitted with community acquired pneumonia in 2000. Outcomes included age, gender, race, discharge diagnoses (from ICD-9 codes) and discharge medications (from discharge summaries) in all patients. There were 136 acute hip fracture patients (mean age 73+/-18 years) in 1995, 117 acute hip fracture patients (mean age 76+/-16 years) in 2000 and 116 patients with community-acquired pneumonia (mean age 78+/-7 years). Patients admitted in 2000 with an acute hip fracture were more likely to be diagnosed with osteoporosis (18% vs. 4%, P<0.02), more likely to be discharged on calcium (17% vs. 7%, P<0.02) and more likely to be discharged on antiresorptive therapy (15% vs. 2%, P<0.001) than those admitted in 1995. Moreover, patients admitted with community-acquired pneumonia were just as likely to receive calcium, vitamin D or antiresorptive agents at the time of discharge as those with an acute hip fracture in 2000. Patients with a diagnosis of osteoporosis in 2000 were older and more likely to receive antiresorptive agents than those without a diagnosis (29% vs. 11%, P<0.05). None of the patients received a bone mineral density examination while in the hospital. Although there was an improvement in the management of osteoporosis after an acute hip fracture from 1995 to 2000, there was no difference in management of patients with hip fracture versus pneumonia in the year 2000. However, patients with a "diagnosis" of osteoporosis in 2000 were more likely to be discharged on appropriate therapeutic options. We conclude that although we have improved our care of osteoporosis for elderly in general from 1995 to 2000, patients with an acute hip fracture are not receiving any additional treatment unless they have a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Further studies are needed to determine which factors are needed to target patients for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

The effects of parathyroid hormone and alendronate alone or in combination in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: Parathyroid hormone increases bone strength primarily by stimulating bone formation, whereas antiresorptive drugs reduce bone resorption. We conducted a randomized, double-blind clinical study of parathyroid hormone and alendronate to test the hypothesis that the concurrent administration of the two agents would increase bone density more than the use of either one alone. METHODS: A total of 238 postmenopausal women (who were not using bisphosphonates) with low bone mineral density at the hip or spine (a T score of less than -2.5, or a T score of less than -2.0 with an additional risk factor for osteoporosis) were randomly assigned to daily treatment with parathyroid hormone (1-84) (100 microg; 119 women), alendronate (10 mg; 60 women), or both (59 women) and were followed for 12 months. Bone mineral density at the spine and hip was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and quantitative computed tomography. Markers of bone turnover were measured in fasting blood samples. RESULTS: The bone mineral density at the spine increased in all the treatment groups, and there was no significant difference in the increase between the parathyroid hormone group and the combination-therapy group. The volumetric density of the trabecular bone at the spine increased substantially in all groups, but the increase in the parathyroid hormone group was about twice that found in either of the other groups. Bone formation increased markedly in the parathyroid hormone group but not in the combination-therapy group. Bone resorption decreased in the combination-therapy group and the alendronate group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence of synergy between parathyroid hormone and alendronate. Changes in the volumetric density of trabecular bone, the cortical volume at the hip, and levels of markers of bone turnover suggest that the concurrent use of alendronate may reduce the anabolic effects of parathyroid hormone. Longer-term studies of fractures are needed to determine whether and how antiresorptive drugs can be optimally used in conjunction with parathyroid hormone therapy.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗