Current and future perspectives on pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis

Normal pregnancy and lactation have a marked physiological impact on maternal bone metabolism. This impact is usually temporary and reversible, but some women sustain fragility fractures whilst pregnant or lactating, termed pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO). These fractures have severe negative consequences on their quality of life, at what is a crucial stage in a mother's life. Identifiable risk factors include a low body mass index (BMI), reduced physical activity during adolescence, a strong family history of osteoporosis, and genetic variations in the LRP5 and WNT1 genes. However, due to the rarity of PLO and the limited awareness surrounding it, there has been slow progress in understanding its pathophysiology and identifying the most effective treatments. Indeed, the data available primarily originates from observational and case studies, resulting in little clear guidance on a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. This mini-review synthesises the latest data on incidence, pathophysiology, and management in PLO, providing current and future perspectives and highlights the need for evidence-based guidelines to improve both short-term and long-term outcomes for women with PLO.

Does the use of bisphosphonates during pregnancy affect fetal outcomes? A systematic review

PURPOSE

This systematic review aimed to determine the effects of maternal exposure to bisphosphonates (BPs) during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes. It aimed to disclosfe the impact of BPs on neonates and identify aspects that require further investigation.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Science Direct, LILACS, EMBASE, and Web of Science was conducted until August 2022, with no time restrictions. The selection criteria included studies published in English that evaluated pregnant women who were exposed to BPs.

RESULTS

From an initial pool of 2169 studies, 13 met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. These studies collectively included 106 women (108 pregnancies) who were exposed to BPs either before orduring pregnancy. A summary of the key characteristics of the selected studies and the risk of bias assessment are provided. Exposure to BPs occurs at various stages of pregnancy, with different indications for BP treatment. The most frequently reported neonatal outcomes were spontaneous abortion, congenital malformations, hypocalcemia, preterm birth, and low birth weight.

CONCLUSION

Although previous reports have linked BPs before or during pregnancy with adverse neonatal outcomes, these associations should be interpreted with caution. Given the complexity of these findings, further research is necessary to provide more definitive insights to guide clinical decisions regarding the use of BPs in pregnant women.

Feasibility of Conducting Comparative Effectiveness Research and Validation of a Clinical Disease Activity Score for Chronic Nonbacterial Osteomyelitis

OBJECTIVE

Prospective comparative effectiveness research (CER) in chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is lacking. Our objectives were to (1) determine the use and safety of each consensus treatment plan (CTP) regimen for CNO, (2) assess the feasibility of using the Chronic Nonbacterial Osteomyelitis International Registry (CHOIR) data for CER, and (3) develop and validate a CNO clinical disease activity score (CDAS) using CHOIR.

METHODS

Consenting children or young adults with CNO were enrolled into CHOIR. Demographic, clinical, and imaging data were prospectively collected. The CNO CDAS was developed through a Delphi survey and nominal group technique. External validation surveys were administered to CHOIR participants.

RESULTS

One hundred forty (78.2%) CHOIR participants enrolled between August 2018 and September 2020 received at least 1 CTP regimen. Baseline characteristics from different CTP groups were well matched. Patient pain, patient global assessment, and clinical CNO lesion count were key variables included in the CNO CDAS. The CDAS showed a strong correlation with patient/parent report of difficulty using a limb, back, or jaw and patient/parent report of disease severity, but a weak correlation with patient/parent report of fatigue, sadness, and worry. The change in CDAS was significant in patients reporting disease worsening or improvement (P < 0.001). The CDAS significantly decreased after initiating second-line treatments from median 12.0 (IQR 8.0-15.5) to 5.0 (IQR 3.0-12.0; P = 0.002). Although second-line treatments were well tolerated, psoriasis was the most common adverse event.

CONCLUSION

The CNO CDAS was developed and validated for disease monitoring and assessment of treatment effectiveness. CHOIR provided a comprehensive framework for future CER.

Hypercalcemia in Pregnancy Due to CYP24A1 Mutations: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Pathogenic mutations of CYP24A1 lead to an impaired catabolism of vitamin D metabolites and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia with low parathyroid hormone concentrations. Diagnosis is based on a reduced 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D to 25-hydroxyvitamin D ratio and confirmed by genetic analyses. Pregnancy is associated with an upregulation of the active vitamin D hormone calcitriol and may thus particularly trigger hypercalcemia in affected patients. We present a case report and a narrative review of pregnant women with CYP24A1 mutations (13 women with 29 pregnancies) outlining the laboratory and clinical characteristics during pregnancy and postpartum and the applied treatment approaches. In general, pregnancy triggered hypercalcemia in the affected women and obstetric complications were frequently reported. Conclusions on drugs to treat hypercalcemia during pregnancy are extremely limited and do not show clear evidence of efficacy. Strictly avoiding vitamin D supplementation seems to be effective in preventing or reducing the degree of hypercalcemia. Our case of a 24-year-old woman who presented with hypercalcemia in the 24th gestational week delivered a healthy baby and hypercalcemia resolved while breastfeeding. Pathogenic mutations of CYP24A1 mutations are rare but should be considered in the context of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy.

Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis and Risk Factors for New Vertebral Fractures in Female Patients with Autoimmune Diseases

We aimed to evaluate the compliance of physicians with the 2014 guidelines of the Japanese Society for Bone and Mineral Research, for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid (GC) induced osteoporosis (GIO) and to investigate the risk of fracture and other associated risk factors in bisphosphonate-treated patients. We evaluated 90 female patients with nonrheumatoid arthritis autoimmune diseases who received long-term GC treatment (≥12 months). Clinical characteristics, including age, GC dose, history of fragility fractures, osteoporosis treatments, as well as lumbar (L2-L4) and femoral neck bone mineral density, were collected from the patients' medical charts. New vertebral fractures during the study period were evaluated using thoracic and lumbar spine radiographs by quantitative measurements. The GIO score was calculated for each patient according to 2014 Japanese guidelines. Of the 90 patients evaluated, 60 were indicated for osteoporosis treatment, based on the 2014 guidelines of Japan. We observed a high compliance rate, with 93% of patients receiving osteoporosis treatment and 50% receiving bisphosphonates. In total, eight patients developed new vertebral fractures during the study, six of whom received bisphosphonates. In bisphosphonate-treated patients, fracture risk was associated with GC treatment and a lack of active vitamin D3 supplementation. The compliance rate with the updated Japanese 2014 guidelines at our institution was very high. Large randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm our findings that suggest that active vitamin D3 should be used in combination with bisphosphonates for the treatment of GIO to reduce fracture risk.

Hypercalcemia and CYP24A1 Gene Mutation Diagnosed in the 2nd Trimester of a Twin Pregnancy: A Case Report

Patient: Female, 33-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Hypercalcemic crisis • pregnancy

Symptoms: Hypercalcemia • hypertension • hypertensive crisis • pregnancy

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: —

Specialty: Genetics

Treatment options for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

INTRODUCTION

Glucocorticoid (GC) induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is the most common form of secondary osteoporosis. It develops in a dose and time dependent manner, due to a rapid and transient increase in bone resorption, followed by the inhibition of bone formation.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the authors summarize the pathophysiology of GIOP and give discussion to the clinical management of patients taking GCs, focusing on the currently available drugs that have antiresorptive or anabolic activity on bone.

EXPERT OPINION

Despite the widespread use of GCs and their well-established detrimental skeletal effects, GIOP remains an under-diagnosed and under-treated condition. Indeed, the clinical management of GIOP is still debated, so that the recent guidelines differ in their indications for pharmacological intervention. Either bone mineral density (BMD) or algorithms such as FRAX do not completely account for the remarkable and rapid increase in fracture risk of most GC-treated patients. Moreover, while oral bisphosphonates remain the most used and cost-effective option, the potential increased benefits of more potent antiresorptive agents (e.g. denosumab and zoledronate) or anabolic compounds (e.g. teriparatide) warrant further investigation. Despite the above limitations, the assessment of fracture risk is recommended for all individuals committed to receiving oral GCs for 3 months or longer.