Predictors of Bone Status by Quantitative Ultrasound Measurements in a Mountain Village in Japan

Prevalence of osteoporosis and incidence of related fractures in developed economies in the Asia Pacific region: a systematic review

Robust data on osteoporosis in the Asia Pacific region could improve healthcare decision-making. Osteoporosis affects 10-30% of women aged 40 + , and up to 10% of men in 7 developed economies in Asia Pacific. Fractures affect 500-1000 adults aged 50 + per 100,000 person-years. Policymakers and clinicians must address this problem.

PURPOSE

Osteoporosis and associated fractures result in considerable morbidity, loss of productivity, early mortality, and increased healthcare expenses. Many countries in the Asia Pacific (AP) region, especially middle- and higher-income economies, are faced with aging and increasingly sedentary populations. It is critical to consolidate and analyze the available information on the prevalence and incidence of the disease in these countries.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed articles and gray literature for Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, JSTOR, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and other databases for data published 2009-2018. We included articles with prevalence or incidence estimates for adults with osteoporosis or related fractures.

RESULTS

All locations had data available, but of widely varying quantity and quality. Most estimates for osteoporosis prevalence ranged from 10 to 30% for women ages 40 and older, and up to 10% for men. Osteoporotic fracture incidence typically ranged between 500 and 1000 per 100,000 person-years among adults aged 50 and older. Both outcomes typically increased with age and were more common among women.

CONCLUSION

Osteoporosis and associated fractures affect significant portions of the adult population in developed economies in the AP region. Governments and healthcare systems must consider how best to prevent and diagnose osteoporosis, and manage affected individuals, to reduce healthcare costs and mortality associated with fractures.

Toe Gap Force is Related to Ultrasonic Parameter of Calcaneus Bone Status in General Population

Background:

Elucidating the relation between bone health condition and muscle strength can provide useful knowledge for Japan’s super-aged society. This study ascertained the Speed Of Sound (SOS) of the calcaneus and upper and lower limb muscle strength in a general population.

Methods:

Medical examinations were conducted of 277 adult residents (100 men, 177 women; average age 67.1 years) of a mountain village. Bilateral hand grip and hand key pinch strength were measured. Hip abductor muscle strength was measured using a hand-held dynamometer. The pressure between the hallux and second toe (toe-gap force) was measured using a toe pressure measuring instrument. The Speed Of Sound (SOS) of the calcaneus was assessed using an ultrasound bone densitometer. Stepwise linear regression was used to identify the predictor of SOS using several factors as explanatory variables: gender, age, height, weight BMI, grip and key pinch power strength, hip abductor muscle strength, and toe-gap force in bilateral side. P values of < .05 were inferred as statistically significant.

Results:

Significant positive correlation was found between the SOS and each of bilateral hand grip and hand key pinch strength, hip abductor muscle strength, and toe-gap force in all participants. Stepwise logistic regression revealed gender (β coefficient= -0.32, p= .0001), age (β coefficient=-0.53, p= .000), height (β coefficient= -0.19, p= .03), and right toe-gap force (β coefficient= 0.11, p= .027) as predictors of calcaneal SOS for all participants.

Conclusion:

Toe-gap force assessment might be more useful to predict calcaneal SOS than grip assessment in the general population.