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V Patel

Publications and source records attributed to V Patel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Detection of depression in women of child-bearing age in non-Western cultures: a comparison of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 in Mongolia.

BACKGROUND: This study assesses, for the first time, the validity and internal reliability of the Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the WHO Self-Reporting Questionnaire 20-item version (SRQ-20) in detecting depression in Mongolian women of reproductive age. METHODS: 100 women age recruited from two psychiatric units specialising in depression (n = 55) and three community-based child immunisation clinics (n = 45) in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia, were formally psychiatrically assessed by a clinician and by administering the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R). Each woman also completed the EPDS and SRQ-20. RESULTS: Ninety four women provided complete data and identical optimal cut-off points for both the EPDS (11.5) and SRQ-20 (8.5) were determined against both the psychiatrist's and CIS-R based diagnosis using standard validation parameters. On all parameters the SRQ-20 performed better than the EPDS. The sensitivity of the SRQ-20 in detecting depression was 93% and the specificity 97% against the psychiatrist's diagnosis. Internal reliability was satisfactory. LIMITATIONS: The use of a mixed clinical and community sample for validation, and a single psychiatrist may limit the generalisability of these results. CONCLUSIONS: The SRQ-20 performed well and better than the EPDS in detecting depression in this group of Mongolian women.

Adolescent↗

Development of robotic program: an Asian experience.

Robotic surgery was started in the Department of Urology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, in April 2004. We present our experience in developing the program and report the results of our first 50 cases of robotic radical prostatectomy. A three-arm da Vinci robotic system was installed in our hospital in March 2004. Prior to installation, the surgeons underwent training at various centers in the United States and Paris. The operating theatre was renovated to house the system. Subsequently, the initial few cases were done with the help of proctors. Data were prospectively collected on all patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for localized carcinoma of the prostate. Fifty patients underwent robot assisted radical prostatectomy from March 2004 to June 2005. Their ages ranged from 52 to 75 years, (average age 60.2 years). PSA levels ranged from 2.5 to 35 ng/ml (mean 10.6 ng/ml). Prostate volume ranged from 18 to 130 cc (average 32.4 cc). Average operating time for the first 20 cases was 4 h and for the next 30 cases was 2.5 h. Patients were discharged 1-3 days post-operatively. Catheters were removed on the fifth day following a cystogram. The positive margin rate as defined by the presence of cancer cells at the inked margin was 30%. Twenty-one patients had T1c disease and one had T1b on clinical staging. Of these, two were apical margin positive. Twenty-six patients had T2 disease and eight of them were apical margin positive. Two patients had T3 disease, one of whom was apical margin positive. Five patients (10%) had PSA recurrence. Five patients had a poorly differentiated carcinoma and the rest had Gleason 6 or 7. Eighty percent of the patients were continent on follow-up at 3 months. Of those who were potent before the surgery, 50% were potent at 3-6 months. The robotic surgery program was successfully implemented at our center on the lines of a structured program, developed at Vattikuti Urology Institute (VUI). We succeeded in creating a team and safely implemented the robotic program in our system. Adequate funding and extensive training followed by a short term proctoring are essential for this implementation.

Aged↗

The burden and determinants of dysmenorrhoea: a population-based survey of 2262 women in Goa, India.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and determinants of dysmenorrhoea, the most common menstrual complaint, in a community in India. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Catchment area of primary health centre in Goa, India. POPULATION: Three thousand women aged 18-45 years randomly selected. A total of 2494 women consented to participate (83.1%). METHODS: Eligible participants were asked standardised questions regarding menstrual complaints over the past 12 months, and socio-demographic, psychosocial and reproductive risk factors. Vaginal or urine specimens were collected for the diagnosis of reproductive tract infections. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dysmenorrhoea of moderate to severe intensity. RESULTS: A total of 2262 women were eligible. More than half reported dysmenorrhoea; moderate to severe dysmenorrhoea was reported by 755 participants (33.4%, 95% CI 31.4-35.4). There was a linear association between severity of pain and impact (medication and taking rest) and the onset of pain (premenstrual onset associated with more severe pain). On multivariate analyses, the risk of moderate-severe dysmenorrhoea was associated with the experience of violence (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.5-34); other somatic complaints (OR 3.67, 95% CI 2.7-4.9 for highest somatoform symptom score category compared with the lowest); gynaecological complaints (non-menstrual lower abdominal pain: OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.3-2.3; dysuria: OR 1.98, 1.4-2.7); menorrhagia (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.4-2.6); and illiteracy (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.0-1.7). Having had a pregnancy (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.4-0.7), older age of menarche (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.5-0.9, for age >14 compared with <13 years) and older age (OR 0.43, 0.3-0.6 for age 40-50, compared with 18-24 years) were protective. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of dysmenorrhoea is greater than any other gynaecological complaint, and is associated with significant impact. Social disadvantage, co-morbidity with other somatic syndromes and reproductive factors are determinants of this complaint.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of the pharmacology of hydroxamate- and carboxylate-based matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPIs) for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Hydroxamic-and carboxylic-acid based matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPIs) were compared for their potency against various MMPs, pharmacodynamic properties and in vivo efficacy in a model of cartilage degeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MMPIs were evaluated for their ability to inhibit human MMPs using the quenched fluorescence assay. The ability of the MMPIs to inhibit the degeneration of the knee joint was evaluated in rats injected intraarticularly with iodoacetate. The amount of MMPI in the plasma and cartilage was determined using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/ MS/MS). Plasma protein binding was measured by ultrafiltration and unbound MMPI was quantitated using HPLC. RESULTS: The hydroxamic acid based inhibitor PGE-3321996 and the carboxylic acids PGE-2909492 and PGE-6292544 were potent MMP-13 inhibitors, but only the hydroxamic acid PGE 3321996 demonstrated significant inhibition of knee degeneration in the rat iodoacetate model. Both of the carboxylic acids demonstrated superior pharmacokinetic properties and established much higher plasma concentrations than the hydroxamic acid. However, neither of the carboxylic acids was detectable in the cartilage, whereas, the hydroxamic acid was present in both the cartilage and the plasma. The carboxylic acid based MMPIs also demonstrated higher plasma protein binding (>99%) than the hydroxamic acid (79%). CONCLUSIONS: Carboxylic acid-based MMPIs were identified that had superior in vivo plasma exposure compared to a hydroxamic acid inhibitor but lacked in vivo efficacy in the rat iodoacetate model of cartilage degeneration. The lack of in vivo efficacy of the carboxylic acid based MMPIs were probably due to their lack of cartilage penetration which was related to their physicochemical properties.

Amino Acids↗

Gene expression changes in a patient presenting nonleukaemic nasal granulocytic sarcoma to acute myelogenous leukaemia using 40 K cDNA microarray.

This is a case report of granulocytic sarcoma occurring as a nasal lesion prior to the onset of acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML). To understand this case in more detail, we used 40,000 human cDNA microarray to identify the gene expression patterns of nonleukaemic stage bone marrow (BM), AML stage BM and AML stage peripheral blood cells and subsequently define the molecular basis of this disease progression. Of significance, we have tracked the expression profile of BM samples during the course of nonleukaemic to leukaemic progression, and identified a number of genes that may account for the growth potential of leukaemia cells and indicate poor prognosis of this case.

Aged, 80 and over↗

The burden and determinants of reproductive tract infections in India: a population based study of women in Goa, India.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Reproductive tract infections (RTI) present major health, social, and economic problems in developing countries. Our objective was to describe the prevalence and risk factors of RTIs in a population based sample of women aged 18-45 years. METHOD: 2494 women of 3000 randomly selected from the population defined by a primary health centre catchment area consented to participate. Participants were interviewed regarding complaints and risk factors. Laboratory specimens were collected for the diagnosis of RTIs. Analyses of risk factors were carried out separately for the outcomes of sexually transmitted infections: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis; and endogenous infections: bacterial vaginosis (BV) and candida. RESULTS: Endogenous infections were relatively common (BV 17.8%; candida 8.5%), and sexually transmitted infections (STI) were infrequent (4.2%). Factors indicative of poverty and marginalisation were associated with STIs and BV. Gender disadvantage, particularly spousal violence, was associated with BV, while concern about a husband's extramarital relationships, an indicator of sexual risk, was associated with STI. Husband's discharge was strongly associated with STI, and a non-white vaginal discharge was associated with both STI and BV. Condom use and oral contraceptive use were associated with a reduced risk of BV. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the population burden of RTIs is attributed to endogenous infections. Socioeconomic deprivation and gender disadvantage are associated with raised risk for BV, while the risk factors for STIs indicated that disadvantaged women were likely to be infected by their husbands.

Adolescent↗

Content analysis of children's television advertising in relation to dental health.

This paper provides some disturbing facts and figures about the amount of television being watched by children. In addition, it reports on the volume and type of television advertising aimed at young people, both in the United Kingdom and other developed countries. In view of recent public and professional concern as to the possible adverse effects of food advertising on children's health, this study set out to examine what proportion of television advertisements, directed at children, promoted products potentially harmful to dental health. Forty-one hours of children's television programming broadcast on ITV1, the main UK commercial channel, were recorded on to videotape for subsequent analysis. Almost 1,000 adverts were analysed; each was timed and broadly categorised as relating to a food/drink product or non food/drink product. Advertisements for food and drink were further subdivided according to their sugar and/or acid content. We found that, on average, 24 adverts were shown per broadcast hour, which accounted for 15.8% of the total schedule time. 34.8% of adverts related to food/drink products, and 95.3% of these promoted products that were deemed potentially cariogenic or erosive. The most frequently promoted food/drink products included breakfast cereals with added sugar (26.3%), confectionery (23.7%) and non-carbonated soft drinks (18.1%). It is very concerning that, despite recent specific codes of practice outlined by the Independent Television Commission for Children's Advertising, many food and drink products promoted during children's programming are potentially damaging to dental health.

Acids↗

Fornix vs limbal-based trabeculectomy with mitomycin C.

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of limbus- and fornix-based conjunctival flaps in patients undergoing trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C augmentation. METHODS: A retrospective review of the records of 71 consecutive eyes of 59 patients who underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C. All the patients had at least 6 months of follow-up. The first 35 eyes underwent surgery with a limbal-based flap, whereas all subsequent surgeries were by fornix-based procedures. RESULTS: No significant difference was detected between the groups with regard to patient demographics, preoperative visual field and intraocular pressure parameters, postoperative intraocular pressures at day 1, months 1, 3, and 6 postoperatively, need for intervention, need for supplementary glaucoma medication, and final visual acuity. There were four cases of overdrainage and hypotony in the limbal-based group, whereas none occurred in the fornix-based group. In all 83% percent of eyes in the limbal-based group achieved intraocular pressures off medication of less than 18 mmHg, whereas 94% of the fornix based group obtained such IOP control. One patient in the limbal-based group developed late postoperative endophthalmitis. CONCLUSION: Trabeculectomy with MMC augmentation is a safe and effective procedure for reduction of IOP and visual rehabilitation whether a fornix- or a limbal-based conjunctival flap is utilised. In this series, there was a greater risk of excessive drainage with subsequent hypotonous complications when surgery was undertaken by a limbal-based procedure.

Adult↗

CARDS on the table: should everybody with type 2 diabetes take a statin?

BACKGROUND: Vascular complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The recently published Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study (CARDS) showed that atorvastatin (10 mg, once daily vs. placebo) markedly reduces vascular events in this high-risk population. The participants (n = 2838) were fairly typical T2DM = 2838) patients without cardiovascular disease and with at least one other risk factor: hypertension, retinopathy, albuminuria or current smoking. In the treatment group, coronary events were reduced by 36% (p = 0.001) and stroke by 48% (p = 0.001). The trial was terminated two years early on ethical grounds. The number needed to treat (NNT) was 27 for four years to prevent one event. However, the benefit may have been greater since a proportion of the placebo group received statin therapy. The benefit from statin treatment was independent of sex, age, baseline lipid levels, was independent of sex, age, baseline lipid levels, systolic blood pressure, retinopathy, albuminuria, systolic blood pressure, retinopathy, albuminuria, smoking or HbA smoking or HbA(1c). The frequency of adverse events did not differ between the groups. These findings support those of other statin trials. SCOPE: CARDS does not comment on renal function. However, other trials suggest that statins preserve renal function in those with and without DM. We discuss the CARDS study in this context in this brief overview paper. CONCLUSIONS: the evidence shows that we need to control glucose to prevent microvascular complications, to lower cholesterol to prevent macrovascular disease and to lower blood pressure to prevent both. It may be that the benefit of statins extends beyond a threshold low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in patients with T2DM. More trials are needed in this field.

Atorvastatin↗

The use of ezetimibe in achieving low density lipoprotein lowering goals in clinical practice: position statement of a United Kingdom consensus panel.

There is no doubt that lowering serum cholesterol levels reduces the risk of major coronary events. This evidence has led treatment guidelines to set progressively lower targets for low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). However, despite widespread use of statins, substantial numbers of patients do not achieve the LDL-C goals. Using higher doses of statins in an attempt to achieve these targets may increase the risk of serious adverse effects. Furthermore, the use of combination therapy with agents such as bile acid sequestrants, niacin and fibrates has been limited by increased potential for side effects, drug interactions and poor compliance. Ezetimibe, a selective cholesterol transport inhibitor, reduces the intestinal uptake of cholesterol without affecting absorption of triglycerides or fat-soluble vitamins. In clinical studies, ezetimibe 10 mg, in combination with statins or as monotherapy, was well tolerated and reduced LDL-C by 34-53% and 17-18%, respectively. The available evidence for ezetimibe is reviewed. The role of ezetimibe in increasing the proportion of patients attaining LDL-C treatment goals is discussed.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

Recalculation of cardiovascular risk score as a surrogate marker of change in clinical care of diabetes patients: the Alphabet POEM project (Practice Of Evidence-based Medicine).

AIMS: To assess the impact of evidence-based strategies on the care of subjects with diabetes, in particular on their coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, using the Alphabet Strategy template and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk calculators as novel audit tools. METHODS: Diabetes and cardiovascular parameters were collected on 400 consecutive type 2 diabetes patients attending the outpatient clinic. The subjects were men and women aged 21-75 years with necessary follow-up data from referral or first chronological available letter in the notes (T(0)) to the most recent follow-up visit (T(fu)). The disease risk scores: a significant reduction in average follow-up period was 5 years. Absolute CHD risk was calculated using the Framingham risk function and the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) risk engine. The results were analysed using Student's paired t-test and chi-squared test. RESULTS: (T(0) vs. T(fu)): Advice: smoking status improved 18.3 vs. 15.5%: p = 0.3. Blood pressure: systolic blood pressure improved 145.8 +/- 21.1 vs. 140.1 +/- 20.5mmHg: p < 0.0001. Diastolic blood pressure improved 82.0 +/- 12.2 vs. 76.5 +/- 11.0mmHg: p < 0.0001. Cholesterol: total cholesterol improved 5.8 +/- 1.6 vs. 4.9 +/- 1.0 mmol/L: p < 0.0001; high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol improved 1.05 vs. 1.26 mmol/L: p < 0.001. Diabetes control: glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)% worsened 7.9 +/- 1.8 vs. 8.1 +/- 1.5: p < 0.0001. However, when adjusted for duration of diabetes, this improved non-significantly by 12% overall. Eye examination: improved 86.5 vs. 97.5%: p < 0.001. Feet examination: improved 69.8 vs. 83.5%: p < 0.001. Guardian drugs: significantly more patients were on aspirin (29.0 vs. 83.5%: p < 0.001), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (32.0 vs. 64.5%: p < 0.001), and lipid lowering therapy (16.8 vs. 55.0%: p < 0.001). Heart Framingham 10-year absolute cardiac risk was achieved (20.6 +/- 10.04% vs. 16.7 +/- 9.1%: p = 0.001). Using the UKPDS risk engine, there was a non-significant reduction in absolute CHD risk over the follow-up period (23.8 +/- 14.8% vs. 23.7 +/- 15.5: p = NS). There were significant improvements between age-adjusted risk score (T(adj)) and follow-up values (T(fu)) (Framingham: 23.67% (T(adj)) vs. 16.7% (T(fu)); UKPDS 31.2% (T(adj)) vs. 23.7% (T(fu))). For UKPDS stroke risk, a significant improvement was seen from T(adj) to T(fu) (19.0% (T(adj)) vs. 16.4% (T(fu)): p < 0.001), with a significant deterioration noted between T(0) and T(fu) (11.5% (T(0)) vs. 16.4% (T(fu)): p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The Alphabet Strategy is a novel evidence-based approach to clinical diabetes care, which produced a statistically significant improvement in most of the assessed parameters. The Alphabet Practice Of Evidence-based Medicine (POEM) template is a useful clinical tool for diabetes care and audit. It includes most of the components of diabetes audit required by the National Service Framework (NSF) and the United Kingdom GP contract.

Adult↗

DNA damage and cell cycle arrest induced by 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-fluorobenzothiazole (5F 203, NSC 703786) is attenuated in aryl hydrocarbon receptor deficient MCF-7 cells.

The fluorinated benzothiazole analogue 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-fluorobenzothiazole (5F 203, NSC 703786) is a novel agent with potent and selective antitumour properties and, in the form of its L-lysylamide prodrug Phortress (NSC 710305), is a current candidate for early phase clinical studies. Previous findings have indicated that cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) may play a role in the antitumour activity of molecules in the benzothiazole series including the nonfluorinated parent compound 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)benzothiazole (DF 203, NSC 674495) (Kashiyama et al, 1999; Chua et al, 2000; Loaiza-Pérez et al, 2002). In this study, we assessed and verified that a fully functional aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signalling pathway is a necessary requisite for the induction of efficient cytotoxicity by 5F 203 in MCF-7 wild-type sensitive cells. Drug exposure caused MCF-7 sensitive cells to arrest in G(1) and S phase, and induced DNA adduct formation, in contrast to AhR-deficient AH(R100) variant MCF-7 cells. In sensitive MCF-7 cells, induction of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 transcription (measured by luciferase reporter assay and real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)), and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity was demonstrated, following treatment with 5F 203. In contrast, in resistant AH(R100) cells, drug treatment did not affect CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 transcription and EROD activity. Furthermore, AH(R100) cells failed to produce either protein/DNA complexes on the xenobiotic responsive element (XRE) sequence of CYP1A1 promoter (measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay) or DNA adducts. The data confirm that activation of the AhR signalling pathway is an important feature of the antitumour activity of 5F 203.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases↗

Gene discovery in oral squamous cell carcinoma through the Head and Neck Cancer Genome Anatomy Project: confirmation by microarray analysis.

The near completion of the human genome project and the recent development of novel, highly sensitive high-throughput techniques have now afforded the unique opportunity to perform a comprehensive molecular characterization of normal, precancerous, and malignant cells, including those derived from squamous carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC). As part of these efforts, representative cDNA libraries from patient sets, comprising of normal and malignant squamous epithelium, were generated and contributed to the Head and Neck Cancer Genome Anatomy Project (HN-CGAP). Initial analysis of the sequence information indicated the existence of many novel genes in these libraries [Oral Oncol 36 (2000) 474]. In this study, we surveyed the available sequence information using bioinformatic tools and identified a number of known genes that were differentially expressed in normal and malignant epithelium. Furthermore, this effort resulted in the identification of 168 novel genes. Comparison of these clones to the human genome identified clusters in loci that were not previously recognized as being altered in HNSCC. To begin addressing which of these novel genes are frequently expressed in HNSCC, their DNA was used to construct an oral-cancer-specific microarray, which was used to hybridize alpha-(33)P dCTP labeled cDNA derived from five HNSCC patient sets. Initial assessment demonstrated 10 clones to be highly expressed (>2-fold) in the normal squamous epithelium, while 14 were highly represented in the malignant counterpart, in three of the five patient sets, thus suggesting that a subset of these newly discovered transcripts might be highly expressed in this tumor type. These efforts, together with other multi-institutional genomic and proteomic initiatives are expected to contribute to the complete understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of HNSCCs, thus helping to identify new markers for the early detection of preneoplastic lesions and novel targets for pharmacological intervention in this disease.

Aged↗

Postnatal depression and infant growth and development in low income countries: a cohort study from Goa, India.

BACKGROUND: Postnatal depression is a recognised cause of delayed cognitive development in infants in developed countries. Being underweight is common in South Asia. AIMS: To determine whether postnatal depression contributes to poor growth and development outcomes in Goa, India. METHODS: Cohort study for growth outcomes with nested case-control study for developmental outcomes. A total of 171 babies were weighed and measured at 6-8 weeks following birth. The following measures were used: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for maternal mood, and sociodemographic and infant health variables. Outcome measures were: weight (<5th centile), length (<5th centile), and Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants scores at six months. RESULTS: Postnatal depression was a strong, and independent, predictor of low weight and length and was significantly associated with adverse mental development quotient scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for the first time that postnatal depression, a potentially treatable disorder, is a cause of poor growth and development in South Asia.

Adult↗

The reliability of a structured examination protocol and self administered vaginal swabs: a pilot study of gynaecological outpatients in Goa, India.

OBJECTIVES: Low participation rates for gynaecological examination and low reliability of clinical reporting of gynaecological examination findings are problems in community studies of gynaecological morbidity in India. This pilot study aimed to describe the reliability of a new examination protocol for recording the findings of gynaecological examination and the reliability and acceptability of the use of self administered vaginal swabs for the diagnosis of reproductive tract infections. METHOD: 75 women attending a gynaecology outpatient clinic were purposively sampled. Each woman was examined by two gynaecologists independently who recorded findings on the new examination protocol. Two swabs were collected from each woman, one by the gynaecologist and one by the woman. Swabs were smeared on separate slides which were stained and read for bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis by laboratory technicians blind to the mode of collection of the slides. RESULTS: The study showed a high inter-rater reliability for most of the items of the examination protocol. The interslide agreement for the diagnosis of the two RTIs was high. One third of women preferred the self administered swab. CONCLUSIONS: The examination protocol is a reliable method of recording gynaecological examination findings, and self administered swabs a useful way of obtaining vaginal specimens from women who did not wish to undergo gynaecological examinations in studies in the Indian setting.

Adolescent↗

A micro-computed tomography study of the trabecular bone structure in the femoral head.

The goal of this study was to characterize the trabecular microarchitecture of the femoral head using micro-computed tomography (ICT). Femoral head specimens were obtained from subjects following total hip replacement. Cylindrical cores from the specimens were scanned to obtain 3-D images with an isotropic resolution of 26 Im. Bone structural parameters were evaluated on a per millimeter basis: relative bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), thickness (Tb.Th) and separation (Tb.Sp), structure model index (SMI), and connectivity (Conn.D). The ICT data show that the first two millimeters, starting at the joint surface, are characterized by more plate-like trabeculae, and are significantly denser than the underlying trabecular bone. Regional differences in the trabecular architecture reveal that the superior pole has significantly higher BV/TV, Tb.N and Tb.Th values, with lower Tb.Sp compared to the inferior and side poles. Because subchondral bone is essential in the load attenuation of joints, the difference in bone structure between the subchondral and trabecular bone might arise from the different functions each have within joint-forming bones. The denser trabecular structure of the superior pole as compared to the inferior pole can be interpreted as a functional adaptation to higher loading in this area.

Journal Article↗