Evaluating Bone Loss with Bone Turnover Markers Following Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Comparison of the prevalence of osteoporosis in people with spinal cord injury according to bone mineral density reference values for the diagnosis of osteoporosis: a retrospective, cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex cause of rapid low bone mass that easily predisposes the affected individuals to osteoporosis-induced fractures. Several studies have investigated osteoporosis pathophysiology in SCI; however, those associated with its diagnosis in SCI are limited. Additionally, errors in osteoporosis diagnosis and its prevalence vary based on the bone mineral density (BMD) reference values (BMDRV), and no studies have reported BMDRV application for osteoporosis diagnosis in individuals with SCI. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the prevalence of osteoporosis among Korean adults aged ≥ 50 years with SCI according to BMDRV for diagnosing osteoporosis.

METHODS

Overall, 855 patients with SCI who underwent BMD tests of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip at the National Rehabilitation Center (NRC) in Korea between 2010 and 2020 were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Osteoporosis was diagnosed in patients with SCI by comparing the differences in prevalence, diagnostic consistency, and risk factors according to the region-based BMDRV of the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) manufacturer and international BMDRV based on the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) data of females aged 20-29 years.

RESULTS

The prevalence of osteoporosis according to the T-score provided by a single reference population of the NHANES III (TNHA) (PONHA) (males: 26.69%; females: 69.35%) was significantly higher in females and males than that according to the T-scores provided by the DXA manufacturer (TDXA) (PODXA) (males: 15.32%; females: 43.15%). The lumbar spine and femoral neck were major osteoporosis diagnosis sites for the PODXA and PONHA, respectively. Risk factors for osteoporosis differed based on the probability of osteoporosis (also known as the OZ ratio) according to the BMD criteria; however, the risk factors were similar according to old age, female sex, low body mass index (BMI), and long SCI period. No significant relationship was noted between the different SCI-related clinical factors (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The osteoporosis diagnostic site and prevalence in SCI differed according to the regional-based TDXA and international standards of the TNHA. Therefore, further studies on BMDRV are warranted to establish accurate diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis prevention in patients with SCI.

Effect of lumbar spinal stenosis on bone mineral density in osteoporosis patients treated with ibandronate

Background

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) can cause various neurological symptoms and reduce the daily activity of patients. Many studies have shown that free physical activities and exercise can improve bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with osteoporosis. However, the effect of LSS on BMD has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of LSS on BMD in patients treated with ibandronate for newly diagnosed osteoporosis.

Methods

Group 1 included 83 patients treated for osteoporosis alone, and group 2 included 76 patients treated for both osteoporosis and symptomatic LSS. We confirmed four BMD values presented as T-score at initial, and 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-ups. Mean BMD and annual changes of BMD for three years were compared between the two groups. Correlations between initial BMD and total change of BMD, and related factors for continuous BMD improvement for three years were also evaluated.

Results

Mean annual BMDs were significantly higher in group 1 compared than in group 2 (-3.39 vs. -3.58 at 1-year; -3.27 vs. -3.49 at 2-year; -3.13 vs. -3.45 at 3-year; all p < 0.05). Annual change of BMD at 1-year follow-up (0.32 vs. 0.21, p = 0.036) and total change of BMD for three years (0.57 vs. 0.35, p = 0.002) were significantly higher in group 1. Group 1 had a strong negative correlation (r = -0.511, P = 0.000) between initial BMD and total change of BMD, whereas group 2 showed a weak negative correlation (r = -0.247, p = 0.032). In multivariate analysis, symptomatic LSS was the only independent risk factor for continuous BMD improvement (Odds ratio = 0.316, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Symptomatic LSS may interfere with BMD improvement in the treatment of osteoporosis with ibandronate. Active treatment for LSS with more potent treatment for osteoporosis should be taken to increase BMD for patients with osteoporosis and LSS.

Bone turnover markers in patients with isolated femoral shaft fracture undergoing systemic ozone therapy

Efferent physical therapy holds promise as an adjunct to the combination treatment of femoral fractures in young, working-age individuals. The aim of the study was to investigate the dynamics of bone turnover markers at different stages of femoral fracture consolidation in patients undergoing ozone therapy. The study enrolled 20 men (group 2, 47.8 ± 3.5 years) with a femoral shaft fracture (AO/ASIF 32А, 32В). The control group (group 1, 46.8 ± 3.7 years) comprised 10 healthy males. Subgroup 2a (n = 10) was assigned to receive standard therapy; subgroup 2b (n = 10) was assigned to receive standard therapy complemented by minor autohemotherapy (MAHT) at 20 mg/L ozone concentrations. On days 7, 30 and 90, fracture consolidation was assessed on the RUST scale and blood levels of С-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (bCTx, pg/ml) and procollagen type I carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP, ng/ml) were measured. On day 7, the total RUST score in subgroups 2a and 2b was 4 points; on day 30, it was 6.5 and 8.7 points, respectively, and on day 90, it reached 10 and 11.5 points, respectively. Bone mineral density was as high as 90% in the MAHT subgroup vs. 78% in subgroup 2а, indicating faster bone healing. On day 30, bCTx levels in subgroup 2b were higher than in subgroup 2a (2289.4 [2145.3; 2365.4] vs. 1894.6 [1745.3; 2098.2], respectively. On day 7, PICP was significantly elevated in subgroup 2b in comparison with subgroup 2a; its levels peaked on days 30 and 90 (day 30: 268.3 [231.2; 286.3] vs. 183.2 [174.6; 195.6]; day 90: 584.6 [512.3; 589.3] vs. 351.2 [312.3; 369.4]. Thus, MAHT produces a positive effect on the quality and intensity of bone healing in men with isolated closed femoral shaft fractures.

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Efferent physical therapy holds promise as an adjunct to the combination treatment of femoral fractures in young, working-age individuals. The aim of the study was to investigate the dynamics of bone turnover markers at different stages of femoral fracture consolidation in patients undergoing ozone therapy. The study enrolled 20 men (group 2, 47.8 ± 3.5 years) with a femoral shaft fracture (AO/ASIF 32А, 32В). The control group (group 1, 46.8 ± 3.7 years) comprised 10 healthy males. Subgroup 2a (n = 10) was assigned to receive standard therapy; subgroup 2b (n = 10) was assigned to receive standard therapy complemented by minor autohemotherapy (MAHT) at 20 mg/L ozone concentrations. On days 7, 30 and 90, fracture consolidation was assessed on the RUST scale and blood levels of С-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (bCTx, pg/ml) and procollagen type I carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP, ng/ml) were measured. On day 7, the total RUST score in subgroups 2a and 2b was 4 points; on day 30, it was 6.5 and 8.7 points, respectively, and on day 90, it reached 10 and 11.5 points, respectively. Bone mineral density was as high as 90% in the MAHT subgroup vs. 78% in subgroup 2а, indicating faster bone healing. On day 30, bCTx levels in subgroup 2b were higher than in subgroup 2a (2289.4 [2145.3; 2365.4] vs. 1894.6 [1745.3; 2098.2], respectively. On day 7, PICP was significantly elevated in subgroup 2b in comparison with subgroup 2a; its levels peaked on days 30 and 90 (day 30: 268.3 [231.2; 286.3] vs. 183.2 [174.6; 195.6]; day 90: 584.6 [512.3; 589.3] vs. 351.2 [312.3; 369.4]. Thus, MAHT produces a positive effect on the quality and intensity of bone healing in men with isolated closed femoral shaft fractures.

Effects of Neurological Disorders on Bone Health

Neurological diseases, particularly in the context of aging, have serious impacts on quality of life and can negatively affect bone health. The brain-bone axis is critically important for skeletal metabolism, sensory innervation, and endocrine cross-talk between these organs. This review discusses current evidence for the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which various neurological disease categories, including autoimmune, developmental, dementia-related, movement, neuromuscular, stroke, trauma, and psychological, impart changes in bone homeostasis and mass, as well as fracture risk. Likewise, how bone may affect neurological function is discussed. Gaining a better understanding of brain-bone interactions, particularly in patients with underlying neurological disorders, may lead to development of novel therapies and discovery of shared risk factors, as well as highlight the need for broad, whole-health clinical approaches toward treatment.