The impact of bisphosphonates on mortality and cardiovascular risk among osteoporosis patients after cardiovascular disease

Association between osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease in elderly people: evidence from a retrospective study

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the associations between osteoporosis, biochemical indexes, bone mineral density (BMD), and cardiovascular disease.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was used to examine the relationships between these parameters. Logistic regression and correlation analyses were conducted to assess the associations between elevated levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), homocysteine, and the presence of osteoporosis. Additionally, correlations between BMD and biochemical indexes were analyzed. The incidence of cardiovascular disease and its correlation with BMD were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the utility of BMD in identifying cardiovascular disease.

Results

The results revealed that elevated triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL levels were positively associated with osteoporosis, while higher HDL levels and homocysteine were negatively associated. Correlation analysis demonstrated negative correlations between triglyceride levels and BMD, and positive correlations between total cholesterol and HDL levels with BMD. LDL levels showed a weak negative correlation, and homocysteine levels exhibited a strong negative correlation with BMD. The osteoporosis group had lower BMD and a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease compared to the non-osteoporosis group. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the correlation between lower BMD and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence supporting the associations between osteoporosis, biochemical indexes, BMD, and cardiovascular disease. Aberrations in lipid profiles and homocysteine levels may contribute to osteoporosis development. Lower BMD, particularly in individuals with osteoporosis, appears to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. BMD shows promise as a diagnostic tool for identifying individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and establish the clinical implications of these relationships. Future longitudinal studies are necessary to determine causality and long-term prognostic implications.

Addressing osteoporosis treatment after hemiarthroplasty for a femoral neck fracture: impact on survival rates after a subsequent periprosthetic femoral fracture - a multicenter (TRON group) retrospective study

This study investigated the impact of osteoporosis treatment on the prognosis of patients with periprosthetic femoral fracture (PPF) following femoral neck fracture (FNF). Our results suggested an association between osteoporosis treatment and potentially improved survival prognosis in patients who underwent surgery for PPF. These results imply that osteoporosis treatment may have a beneficial effect on patient outcomes.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the effect of osteoporosis treatment on the prognosis of periprosthetic femoral fracture (PPF) patients after femoral neck fracture.

METHODS

A multicenter retrospective study named as TRON was conducted. The study population included 156 PPF patients who had undergone hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture between January 2010 and December 2019. Patients were divided based on whether they had received osteoporosis treatment before PPF injury. A log-rank test was used to compare survival rates. We conducted a Cox proportional hazards analysis to identify factors associated with the survival rate after PFF injury.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven of the 156 patients had received osteoporosis treatment prior to PPF injury. The 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates after PPF were 80.9% and 75.3%, respectively. The log-rank test revealed that the 1-year survival rate with and without osteoporosis treatment was 89.5% and 78.1%, respectively (P=0.012). In the Cox proportional hazards analysis, age, BMI, presence or absence of surgery, and presence or absence of osteoporosis treatment showed independent associations with the survival rate after PFF injury. The hazard ratio for the presence of osteoporosis treatment was 0.22 (95% confidence interval 0.07-0.75, P=0.015).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest an association between osteoporosis treatment and potentially improved survival prognosis in patients who underwent surgery for PPF. These results imply that osteoporosis treatment may have a beneficial effect on patient outcomes. It is important to consider that osteoporosis treatment could be significant not only in preventing secondary fractures but also in potentially improving prognosis in the rare event of PPF.

Association between bisphosphonate use and stroke risk: a meta-analysis

Previous studies have suggested that bisphosphonates may reduce stroke risk. This meta-analysis, which included 21 studies with 741,274 participants, revealed that bisphosphonates might be associated with lower stroke risk. However, evidence derived from randomized controlled trials identified no statistically significant association. Future high-quality studies are still required to determine causality.

PURPOSE

Whether bisphosphonates may reduce the risk of stroke remains inconclusive. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between bisphosphonate use and the risk of stroke based on up-to-date evidence.

METHODS

We searched for studies evaluating the effects of bisphosphonate on the risk of stroke from inception until January 3, 2022, on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane libraries and updated our search until August 22, 2022, using PubMed to identify any new potential published studies. Two or more reviewers independently screened articles, extracted data, and assessed the study quality. We retrieved the data to synthesize the pooled relative risk (RR) of stroke associated with bisphosphonate use compared with controls; random-effects models were used for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies (7 randomized controlled trials [RCTs] and 14 observational studies) involving 741,274 participants were included in our meta-analysis. Overall, bisphosphonate use was associated with a lower risk of stroke, but the result was only borderline significant (pooled RR = 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76-0.99, p = 0.048), and high between-study heterogeneity was found (I2 = 83.7%). Subgroup analyses showed that the evidence derived from RCTs suggested no significant association between bisphosphonate use and stroke risk (pooled RR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.76-1.13, p = 0.462; I2 = 13.4%).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that bisphosphonate use is associated with a lower risk of stroke. However, the current evidence does not lead to a definite conclusion due to the borderline statistical significance and high between-study heterogeneity. Future studies, especially RCTs, are necessary to assess causality.

Association between bone mineral density and cardiovascular disease in older adults

Background and aims

Cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis are common diseases in older adults with high morbidity. The study on the interaction between the two in pathogenic mechanisms has been paid much attention by the majority of researchers. This study aimed to explore the relationship between bone mineral density and cardiovascular disease in older adults.

Methods

The primary data was downloaded from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database of the United States. Multivariate logistic regression model, generalized additive model, and smooth curve fitting were used to explore the relationship between bone mineral density and cardiovascular events risk. When a curve relationship was found, a two-piecewise linear model was used to calculate the inflection point. In addition, subgroup analysis was also performed.

Results

A total of 2097 subjects were included in this study. After adjusting for potential confounders, no significant association was found between lumbar bone mineral density and cardiovascular disease, while femur bone mineral density had a non-linear relationship with cardiovascular disease, with an inflection point of 0.741 gm/cm². When bone mineral density was <0.741 gm/cm², the risk of cardiovascular disease decreased speedily. Once bone mineral density exceeded this value, the risk of cardiovascular disease continued to decrease, but the trend became significantly slower. Compared with patients with normal bone mass, osteoporosis was associated with a 2.05-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease (95% CI 1.68-5.52). There were no significant differences in interaction tests of all subgroups (p for interaction >0.05) except race.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that bone mineral density was closely associated with the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in older adults over 60 years old, especially the femur bone mineral density was negatively non-linear associated with cardiovascular disease risk, with an inflection point of 0.741 gm/cm².

Geriatric nutritional risk index as the prognostic factor in older patients with fragility hip fractures

This study investigated the long-term survival and incidence of secondary fractures after fragility hip fractures. The 5-year survival rate was 62%, and the mortality risk was seen in patients with GNRI < 92. The 5-year incidence of secondary fracture was 22%, which was significantly higher in patients with a BMI < 20.

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition negatively influences the postoperative survival of patients with fragility hip fractures (FHFs); however, little is known about their association over the long term.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the ability of the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) as a risk factor for long-term mortality after FHFs.

METHODS

This study included 623 Japanese patients with FHFs over the age of 60 years. We prospectively collected data on admission and during hospitalization and assessed the patients' conditions after discharge through a questionnaire. We examined the long-term mortality and the incidence of secondary FHFs and assessed the prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The mean observation period was 4.0 years (range 0-7 years). The average age at the time of admission was 82 years (range 60-101 years). The overall survival after FHFs (1 year, 91%; 5 years, 62%) and the incidence of secondary FHFs were high (1 year, 4%; 5 years, 22%). The multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed the risk factors for mortality as older age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.04), male sex (HR 1.96), lower GNRI score (HR 0.96), comorbidities (malignancy, HR 2.51; ischemic heart disease, HR 2.24; revised Hasegawa dementia scale ≤ 20, HR 1.64), no use of active vitamin D3 on admission (HR 0.46), and a lower Barthel index (BI) (on admission, HR 1.00; at discharge, HR 0.99). The GNRI scores were divided into four risk categories: major risk (GNRI, < 82), moderate risk (82-91), low risk (92-98), and no risk (> 98). Patients at major and moderate risks of GNRI had a significantly lower overall survival rate (p < 0.001). Lower body mass index (BMI) was also identified as a prognostic factor for secondary FHFs (HR 0.88 [p = 0.004]).

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that older age, male sex, a lower GNRI score, comorbidities, and a lower BI are risk factors for mortality following FHFs. GNRI is a novel and simple predictor of long-term survival after FHFs.

The Time-Dependent Role of Bisphosphonates on Atherosclerotic Plaque Calcification

Atherosclerotic plaque calcification directly contributes to the leading cause of morbidity and mortality by affecting plaque vulnerability and rupture risk. Small microcalcifications can increase plaque stress and promote rupture, whereas large calcifications can stabilize plaques. Drugs that target bone mineralization may lead to unintended consequences on ectopic plaque calcification and cardiovascular outcomes. Bisphosphonates, common anti-osteoporotic agents, have elicited unexpected cardiovascular events in clinical trials. Here, we investigated the role of bisphosphonate treatment and timing on the disruption or promotion of vascular calcification and bone minerals in a mouse model of atherosclerosis. We started the bisphosphonate treatment either before plaque formation, at early plaque formation times associated with the onset of calcification, or at late stages of plaque development. Our data indicated that long-term bisphosphonate treatment (beginning prior to plaque development) leads to higher levels of plaque calcification, with a narrower mineral size distribution. When given later in plaque development, we measured a wider distribution of mineral size. These morphological alterations might be associated with a higher risk of plaque rupture by creating stress foci. Yet, bone mineral density positively correlated with the duration of the bisphosphonate treatment.