Relation Between Hepatitis C Virus Exposure and Risk of Osteoporosis: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Do patients with nephrotic syndrome have an increased risk of osteoporosis? A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether nephrotic syndrome (NS) and further corticosteroid (CS) use increase the risk of osteoporosis in Asian population during the period January 2000-December 2010.

DESIGN

Nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

All healthcare facilities in Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 28 772 individuals were enrolled.

INTERVENTIONS

26 614 individuals with newly diagnosed NS between 2000 and 2010 were identified and included in out study. 26 614 individuals with no NS diagnosis prior to the index date were age matched as controls. Diagnosis of osteoporosis prior to the diagnosis of NS or the same index date was identified, age, sex and NS-associated comorbidities were adjusted.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE

To identify risk differences in developing osteoporosis among patients with a medical history of NS.

RESULTS

After adjusting for covariates, osteoporosis risk was found to be 3.279 times greater in the NS cohort than in the non-NS cohort, when measured over 11 years after NS diagnosis. Stratification revealed that age older than 18 years, congestive heart failure, hyperlipidaemia, chronic kidney disease, liver cirrhosis and NS-related disease including diabetes mellitus, hepatitis B infection, hepatitis C infection, lymphoma and hypothyroidism, increased the risk of osteoporosis in the NS cohort, compared with the non-NS cohort. Additionally, osteoporosis risk was significantly higher in NS patients with CS use (adjusted HR (aHR)=3.397). The risk of osteoporosis in NS patients was positively associated with risk of hip and vertebral fracture (aHR=2.130 and 2.268, respectively). A significant association exists between NS and subsequent risk for osteoporosis.

CONCLUSION

NS patients, particularly those treated with CS, should be evaluated for subsequent risk of osteoporosis.

Association of chronic liver disease with bone diseases and muscle weakness

The liver is a vital organ involved in nutrient metabolism, hormone regulation, immunity, cytokine production, and gut homeostasis. Impairment in liver function can result in malnutrition, chronic inflammation, decreased anabolic hormone levels, and dysbiosis. These conditions eventually cause an imbalance in osteoblast and osteoclast activities, resulting in bone loss. Osteoporosis is a frequent complication of chronic liver disease (CLD) that adversely affects quality of life and increases early mortality. Sarcopenia is another common complication of CLD characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. Assessment criteria for sarcopenia specific to liver disease have been established, and sarcopenia has been reported to be associated with an increase in the risk of liver disease-related events and mortality in patients with CLD. Owing to their similar risk factors and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, osteoporosis and sarcopenia often coexist (termed osteosarcopenia), progress in parallel, and further exacerbate the conditions mentioned above. Therefore, comprehensive management of these musculoskeletal disorders is imperative. This review summarizes the clinical implications and characteristics of osteoporosis, extending to sarcopenia and osteosarcopenia, in patients with CLD caused by different etiologies.

Perivascular Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells, an Immune Privileged Niche for Viruses?

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a critical role in response to stress such as infection. They initiate the removal of cell debris, exert major immunoregulatory activities, control pathogens, and lead to a remodeling/scarring phase. Thus, host-derived ‘danger’ factors released from damaged/infected cells (called alarmins, e.g., HMGB1, ATP, DNA) as well as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (LPS, single strand RNA) can activate MSCs located in the parenchyma and around vessels to upregulate the expression of growth factors and chemoattractant molecules that influence immune cell recruitment and stem cell mobilization. MSC, in an ultimate contribution to tissue repair, may also directly trans- or de-differentiate into specific cellular phenotypes such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes, lipofibroblasts, myofibroblasts, Schwann cells, and they may somehow recapitulate their neural crest embryonic origin. Failure to terminate such repair processes induces pathological scarring, termed fibrosis, or vascular calcification. Interestingly, many viruses and particularly those associated to chronic infection and inflammation may hijack and polarize MSC’s immune regulatory activities. Several reports argue that MSC may constitute immune privileged sanctuaries for viruses and contributing to long-lasting effects posing infectious challenges, such as viruses rebounding in immunocompromised patients or following regenerative medicine therapies using MSC. We will herein review the capacity of several viruses not only to infect but also to polarize directly or indirectly the functions of MSC (immunoregulation, differentiation potential, and tissue repair) in clinical settings.

Progress in research of non-cirrhotic chronic viral hepatitis with osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is one of the complications of chronic viral hepatitis related cirrhosis, and the pathogenesis and treatment methods for osteoporosis have been extensively studied. However, whether chronic viral hepatitis is the risk factor for osteoporosis is still controversial. Some studies have demonstrated the relationship between them, but there is still no systematic judgment on its pathogenesis and treatment. In this review, we systematically summarize the risk, possible pathogenesis, and treatment scheme of osteoporosis secondary to non-cirrhosis chronic viral hepatitis, with an aim to clarify the relationship between chronic viral hepatitis and osteoporosis, remind clinicians to be alert to the possibility of osteoporosis complicated by chronic viral hepatitis, and provide support for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Secondary Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases

Fragility fracture is a worldwide problem and a main cause of disability and impaired quality of life. It is primarily caused by osteoporosis, characterized by impaired bone quantity and or quality. Proper diagnosis of osteoporosis is essential for prevention of fragility fractures. Osteoporosis can be primary in postmenopausal women because of estrogen deficiency. Secondary forms of osteoporosis are not uncommon in both men and women. Most systemic illnesses and organ dysfunction can lead to osteoporosis. The kidney plays a crucial role in maintaining physiological bone homeostasis by controlling minerals, electrolytes, acid-base, vitamin D and parathyroid function. Chronic kidney disease with its uremic milieu disturbs this balance, leading to renal osteodystrophy. Diabetes mellitus represents the most common secondary cause of osteoporosis. Thyroid and parathyroid disorders can dysregulate the osteoblast/osteoclast functions. Gastrointestinal disorders, malnutrition and malabsorption can result in mineral and vitamin D deficiencies and bone loss. Patients with chronic liver disease have a higher risk of fracture due to hepatic osteodystrophy. Proinflammatory cytokines in infectious, autoimmune, and hematological disorders can stimulate osteoclastogenesis, leading to osteoporosis. Moreover, drug-induced osteoporosis is not uncommon. In this review, we focus on causes, pathogenesis, and management of secondary osteoporosis.

Post-surgery cholecystectomy, hepatectomy, and pancreatectomy patients increase the risk of osteoporotic vertebral fracture

INTRODUCTION

Data is currently lacking regarding association between the cholecystectomy/hepatectomy/pancreatectomy and the development of osteoporotic fracture. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the relationship between cholecystectomy/hepatectomy/pancreatectomy and the subsequent risk of developing osteoporotic fracture.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients having undergone cholecystectomy, hepatectomy, or pancreatectomy between 2000 and 2012 were selected from the All Population Based Hospitalization File as the surgery cohort (n = 304,081), which was frequency matched with the control cohort (n = 304,081). The Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan-Meier analysis were applied to measure the hazard ratios and the cumulative incidence of osteoporotic fracture.

RESULTS

A total of 1136 patients in the surgery cohort and 1179 patients in the control cohort were newly diagnosed with osteoporotic fracture. The overall osteoporotic fracture risk in the surgery cohort was 1.12-fold higher [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-1.21]. Specifically, surgery cohort had higher vertebral fracture risk than non-surgery cohort [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.12, Cl, 1.03-1.22]. In addition, patients underwent cholecystectomy (includes open and laparoscopic approaches), hepatectomy (only open approach), and pancreatectomy group (only open approach) were 1.10 (95% CI, 1.01-1.19), 1.49 (95% CI, 1.10-2.01), and 1.88 (95% CI, 1.23-2.87) times more likely to develop osteoporotic fracture, respectively. No significant difference of osteoporotic fracture risk was observed between open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The risk of osteoporotic fracture was significantly increased in females, patients aged ≥ 40 years old, and patients with some comorbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients post cholecystectomy, hepatectomy, or pancreatectomy significantly increased risk of developing osteoporotic fracture, suggesting closer attention in post-operative care is needed.

Hepatitis C Virus Infection as a Predictor of Complications and Increased Costs Following Primary Lumbar Fusion Surgery

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnosis influences in-hospital lengths of stay (LOS), postoperative complications, readmission rates, or costs following primary posterior lumbar fusions in an elective setting.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Although joint arthroplasty literature has shown increased complication rates and costs for patients seropositive with HCV without liver disease compared to those without HCV, this comorbidity has not been explored in the spine literature. To our knowledge, this is the first publication in the lumbar spine literature to solely focus on HCV as the disease burden.

METHODS

A national database was queried for patients who underwent primary lumbar spine fusion for degenerative lumbar pathology with Medicare insurance from 2005 to 2014. The 90-day postoperative complication rates, readmission rates, and treatment costs were queried. To limit confounding, HCV patients were matched with a control cohort of non-HCV patients using patient demographics, treatment modality, and comorbid conditions, and then analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Patients with active liver disease were excluded to better isolate HCV as the comorbidity.

RESULTS

A cohort of 28,841 patients were included in the final analysis. Postoperatively, compared to those without HCV infection, those with HCV had significantly higher odds of blood transfusions (odds ratio [OR]: 3.06), pneumonia (OR: 2.49), respiratory failure (OR: 2.49), urinary tract infections (OR: 1.89), wound-/implant-related infections (OR: 1.74), cerebrovascular events (OR: 1.70), or any postoperative complication within 90 days (OR: 2.93; all P < 0.0001). Furthermore, HCV positive patients had higher day of surgery costs ($28,713.26 vs. $25,448.26, P < 0.0001) and 90-day costs ($33,447.39 vs. $29,016.77, P < 0.0001). There was not a significant difference for patients with HCV infection compared to those without in regard to hospital LOS (10 days vs. 8 days, P = 0.332) and rates of a 90-day readmission (0.37% vs. 0.22%; OR: 1.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.00-2.90, P: 0.050).

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing primary lumbar fusion, a seropositivity for HCV without liver disease is associated with higher costs and complication rates, including higher rates of blood transfusion requirements and pneumonia-related complications. This data shed new light on elective spine surgery in HCV patients and may influence the risks and benefits considerations for surgeons considering lumbar fusion in this population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Bone Health in Patients With Liver Diseases

Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease in chronic liver disease (CLD) resulting in frequent fractures and leading to significant morbidity in this population. In addition to patients with cirrhosis and chronic cholestasis, patients with CLD from other etiologies may be affected in the absence of cirrhosis. The mechanism of osteoporosis in CLD varies according to etiology, but in cirrhosis and cholestatic liver disease it is driven primarily by decreased bone formation, which differs from the increased bone resorption seen in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Direct toxic effects from iron and alcohol play a role in hemochromatosis and alcoholic liver disease, respectively. Chronic inflammation also has been proposed to mediate bone disease in viral hepatitis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Treatment trials specific to osteoporosis in CLD are small, confined to primary biliary cholangitis and post-transplant patients, and have not consistently demonstrated a benefit in this population. As it stands, prevention of osteoporosis in CLD relies on the mitigation of risk factors such as smoking and alcohol use, treatment of underlying hypogonadism, and encouraging a healthy diet and weight-bearing exercise. The primary medical intervention for the treatment of osteoporosis in CLD remains bisphosphonates though a benefit in terms of fracture reduction has never been shown. This review outlines what is known regarding the pathogenesis of bone disease in CLD and summarizes current and emerging therapies.

The association between hepatitis and osteoporosis: a nested case-control study using a national sample cohort

The prevalence of hepatitis B was higher in osteoporosis patients than the control group, especially in females. However, the prevalence of hepatitis C was not different. The matching for various factors improved to have same conditions between osteoporosis patients and the control group.

PURPOSE

Although chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B and hepatitis C, has been associated with osteoporosis in previous studies, the evidence was insufficient, and some findings were inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hepatitis B or hepatitis C and osteoporosis.

METHODS

We used the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort with ≥ 50-year-old participants from 2002 to 2013. Age was determined at osteoporosis diagnosis. We extracted 68,492 osteoporosis patients (ICD-10 codes E7001-E7004, HC341-HC345) with a 68,492-member control group at a ratio of 1:1 by age, sex, income, region of residence, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. We analyzed previous histories of hepatitis B (ICD-10 codes B18.0-B18.1) and hepatitis C (ICD-10 code B18.2) in the osteoporosis patients and control groups. The logistic regression with the crude and adjusted model was analyzed. Additionally, subgroup analyses divided by age and sex were performed.

RESULTS

The adjusted odds ratios for hepatitis B and hepatitis C were 1.19 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11-1.28, P < 0.001) and 1.04 (95% CI = 0.90-1.19, P > 0.05), respectively, in osteoporosis patients. Subgroup analyses showed that the risk of hepatitis B was higher in osteoporosis patients in female groups but not in male groups.

CONCLUSION

Hepatitis B virus infection might be a risk factor for osteoporosis.

Hepatitis C virus infection and risk of osteoporotic fracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. Several epidemiologic studies have suggested that patients with HCV infection might have a higher risk of osteoporotic fracture. However, the data are inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with the aims to summarize all available evidence.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE database from inception to June 2016. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios, or hazard ratios comparing the risk of osteoporotic fracture among HCV-infected patients versus subjects without HCV infection were included. Pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method.

RESULTS

Three studies with 362,285 participants met our eligibility criteria and were included in analysis. We found a significantly higher risk of osteoporotic fracture among patients with HCV infection with RR of 1.53 (95% CI 1.09 to 2.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated an increased risk of osteoporotic fracture among HCV-infected patients. Further studies are required to clarify how this risk should be addressed in clinical practice.

Bone responses in health and infectious diseases: A focus on osteoblasts

Historically, bone was thought to be immunologically inactive with the sole function of supporting locomotion and ensuring stromaness functions as a major lymphoid organ. However, a myriad of pathogens (bacteria such as staphylococcus as well as viruses including alphaviruses, HIV or HCV) can invade the bone. These pathogens can cause apoptosis, autophagy and necrosis of osteoblasts and lead to lymphopenia and immune paralysis. There are now several detailed studies on how osteoblasts contribute to innate immune and inflammatory responses; indeed, osteoblasts in concert with resident macrophages can engage an armory of defense mechanisms capable of detecting and controlling pathogen evasion mechanisms. Osteoblasts can express the so-called pattern recognition receptors such as TOLL-like receptors involved in the detection for example of lipids and unique sugars (polysaccharides and polyriboses) expressed by bacteria or viruses (e.g. LPS and RNA respectively). Activated osteoblasts can produce interferon type I, cytokines, chemokines and interferon-stimulated proteins through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms to control for viral replication and to promote phagocytosis or lysis of bacteria for example by defensins. Uncontrolled and sustained innate immune activation of infected osteoblasts will also lead to an imbalance in the production of osteoclastogenic factors such as RANKL and osteoprotegerin involved in bone repair.

Osteoporosis in adult patients with atopic dermatitis: A nationwide population-based study

The aim of this study was to investigate osteoporosis risk in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. This study included patients in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research dataset. The population-based study included all patients aged 20–49 years who had been diagnosed with AD during 1996–2010. In total, 35,229 age and gender-matched patients without AD in a 1:1 ratio were randomly selected as the non-AD group. Cox proportional-hazards regression and Kaplan–Meier analyses were used to measure the hazard ratios and the cumulative incidences of osteoporosis, respectively. During the follow-up period, 360(1.02%) AD patients and 127(0.36%) non-AD patients developed osteoporosis. The overall incidence of osteoporosis was4.72-fold greater in the AD patients compared to the non-AD patients (1.82 vs. 0.24 per 1,000 person-years, respectively) after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Osteoporosis risk factors included female gender, age, advanced Charlson Comorbidity Index, depression and use of corticosteroids. The dataset analysis showed that AD was significantly associated with subsequent risk of osteoporosis.

Poor 1st-year adherence to anti-osteoporotic therapy increases the risk of mortality in patients with magnetic resonance imaging-proven acute osteoporotic vertebral fractures

AIM

Anti-osteoporotic therapy requires years of proper compliance to reduce the risk of fractures. This study investigated the effects of 1st-year adherence to anti-osteoporotic treatment on the risk of mortality in patients with magnetic resonance imaging-proven acute osteoporotic vertebral fractures after vertebroplasty.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 294 patients (252 females; mean age, 73.93±7.18 years) with osteoporosis and acute vertebral fractures treated with vertebroplasty between January 2001 and December 2007. Sex, age, body mass index, comorbidities, previous hip fracture, number of vertebral fractures, 5-year re-fracture rate, and use of anti-osteoporotic therapy were recorded for each patient. Adherence was determined according to compliance and persistence for 1 year. Compliance was calculated as the medication possession ratio (MPR), and persistence as the time from treatment initiation to discontinuation. Poor adherence was defined as either non-compliance or non-persistence.

RESULTS

The MPR of the patients at 1 year was 55.1%, with a persistence rate of 69.4% and a poor adherence rate of 62.6%. Cox regression analysis revealed that poor adherence to medications was associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality after adjustment for potential confounders (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.13-2.71). Poor adherence to medications was significantly associated with an increase in the rate of infection (HR: 4.56; 95% CI: 1.12-18.52), which was the most common cause of death.

CONCLUSION

Poor adherence to anti-osteoporotic therapy significantly increases the risk of morality, possibly due to an increased risk of infection. Efforts should be made to improve adherence.

Hepatitis C virus infection and risk of osteoporosis: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most common infections worldwide. Several epidemiologic studies have suggested that patients with HCV infection might be at an increased risk of osteoporosis. However, the data on this relationship remains inconclusive. This meta-analysis was conducted with the aim to summarize all available evidence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception to June 2016. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios (OR), or hazard ratios comparing the risk of osteoporosis among HCV-infected patients versus those without HCV infection were included. Pooled OR and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method.

RESULTS

Four studies met our eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. We found a higher risk of osteoporosis among patients with chronic HCV with OR of 1.65 (95% CI: 0.98-2.77). Sensitivity analysis including only studies with higher quality yielded a higher OR, and the result was statistically significant (OR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.03-5.93).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated a higher risk of osteoporosis among HCV-infected patients. Further studies are required to clarify how this risk should be addressed in clinical practice.

Increased risk of osteoporosis in patients with erectile dysfunction: A nationwide population-based cohort study

In this study, we aimed to investigate the risk of osteoporosis in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) by analyzing data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). From the Taiwan NHIRD, we analyzed data on 4460 patients aged ≥40 years diagnosed with ED between 1996 and 2010. In total, 17,480 age-matched patients without ED in a 1:4 ratio were randomly selected as the non-ED group. The relationship between ED and the risk of osteoporosis was estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression models. During the follow-up period, 264 patients with ED (5.92%) and 651 patients without ED (3.65%) developed osteoporosis. The overall incidence of osteoporosis was 3.04-fold higher in the ED group than in the non-ED group (9.74 vs 2.47 per 1000 person-years) after controlling for covariates. Compared with patients without ED, patients with psychogenic and organic ED were 3.19- and 3.03-fold more likely to develop osteoporosis. Our results indicate that patients with a history of ED, particularly younger men, had a high risk of osteoporosis. Patients with ED should be examined for bone mineral density, and men with osteoporosis should be evaluated for ED.

Herpes zoster as a risk factor for osteoporosis: A 15-year nationwide population-based study

The objective of this study was to investigate the risk of osteoporosis in patients with herpes zoster (HZ) infection using a nationwide population-based dataset. The Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was used to compare data between 11,088 patients aged 20 to 49 years diagnosed with HZ during 1996 to 2010 and a control group of 11,088 patients without HZ. Both cohorts were followed up until the end of 2010 to measure the incidence of osteoporosis. Cox proportional-hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to calculate hazard ratio and cumulative incidences of osteoporosis, respectively. The overall risk of osteoporosis was 4.55 times greater in the HZ group than in the control group (2.48 vs. 0.30 per 1000 person-years, respectively) after adjusting for age, gender, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and related comorbidities. Compared with controls, patients with HZ and subsequent postherpetic neuralgia had a 4.76-fold higher likelihood of developing osteoporosis (95% confidence interval: 2.44-9.29), which was a statistically significant difference (P <0.001). Osteoporosis risk factors included female gender, age, advanced Charlson Comorbidity Index, depression, and postherpetic neuralgia. This study identified HZ is associated with an increased osteoporosis risk. Further evaluation of the value of bone mineral density test in detecting osteoporosis after HZ may be suggested. HZ vaccination could also be evaluated to lower the incidence of HZ and possibly subsequent osteoporosis. Physicians should be alerted to this association to improve early identification of osteoporosis in patients with HZ.

Increased Risk of Osteoporosis in Patients With Peptic Ulcer Disease: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

To investigate osteoporosis risk in patients with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) using a nationwide population-based dataset. This Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) analysis included 27,132 patients aged 18 years and older who had been diagnosed with PUD (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] codes 531-534) during 1996 to 2010. The control group consisted of 27,132 randomly selected (age- and gender)-matched patients without PUD. The association between PUD and the risk of developing osteoporosis was estimated using a Cox proportional hazard regression model. During the follow-up period, osteoporosis was diagnosed in 2538 (9.35 %) patients in the PUD group and in 2259 (8.33 %) participants in the non-PUD group. After adjusting for covariates, osteoporosis risk was 1.85 times greater in the PUD group compared to the non-PUD group (13.99 vs 5.80 per 1000 person-years, respectively). Osteoporosis developed 1 year after PUD diagnosis. The 1-year follow-up period exhibited the highest significance between the 2 groups (hazard ratio [HR] = 63.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 28.19-142.74, P < 0.001). Osteoporosis risk was significantly higher in PUD patients with proton-pump-inhibitors (PPIs) use (HR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.03-1.34) compared to PUD patients without PPIs use. This study revealed a significant association between PUD and subsequent risk of osteoporosis. Therefore, PUD patients, especially those treated with PPIs, should be evaluated for subsequent risk of osteoporosis to minimize the occurrence of adverse events.