Vitamin D and Dyslipidemia: Is There Really a Link? A Narrative Review

Nowadays, the interest in the extraskeletal effects of vitamin D is growing. In the literature, its several possible actions have been confirmed. Vitamin D seems to have a regulatory role in many different fields-inflammation, immunity, and the endocrine system-and many studies would demonstrate a possible correlation between vitamin D and cardiovascular disease. In this paper, we deepened the relationship between vitamin D and dyslipidemia by reviewing the available literature. The results are not entirely clear-cut: on the one hand, numerous observational studies suggest a link between higher serum vitamin D levels and a beneficial lipid profile, while on the other hand, interventional studies do not demonstrate a significant effect. Understanding the possible relationship between vitamin D and dyslipidemia may represent a turning point: another link between vitamin D and the cardiovascular system.

The Advantages of Radiofrequency Echographic MultiSpectrometry in the Evaluation of Bone Mineral Density in a Population with Osteoarthritis at the Lumbar Spine

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA) in the lumbar spine can potentially lead to an overestimation of bone mineral density (BMD), and this can be a challenge in accurately diagnosing conditions like osteoporosis, where precise measurement of BMD is crucial. Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) is being recognized as an innovative diagnostic tool for assessing bone status. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the use of REMS may enhance the identification of osteoporosis in patients with osteoarthritis.

METHODS

A cohort of 500 patients (mean age: 63.9 ± 11.2 years) diagnosed with osteoarthritis and having a medical prescription for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were recruited for the study. All patients underwent BMD measurements at lumbar spine and femoral sites by both DXA and REMS techniques.

RESULTS

The T-score values for BMD at the lumbar spine (BMD-LS) by DXA were significantly higher with respect to BMD-LS by REMS across all OA severity scores, and the differences were more pronounced in patients with a higher degree of OA severity (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the percentage of subjects classified as "osteoporotic", on the basis of BMD by REMS was markedly higher than those classified by DXA, both when considering all skeletal sites (39.4% vs. 15.1%, respectively) and the lumbar spine alone (30.5% vs. 6.0%, respectively). A similar pattern was observed when OA patients were grouped according to the Kellgren-Lawrence grading score.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from our study indicate that, in a population with varying severity levels of osteoarthritis, REMS demonstrated a higher capability to diagnose osteoporosis compared to DXA, and this could lead to earlier intervention and improved outcomes for patients with bone fragility, reducing the likelihood of fractures and associated complications.

Osteoporosis and major fragility fractures (MOF) in sarcoidosis patients: association with disease severity

BACKGROUND

The reports on bone mineral loss or major osteoporosis fracture (MOF) in sarcoidosis are scarce and have conflicting outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of MOF in sarcoidosis patients.

METHODS

In a single-center cohort of 382 patients with sarcoidosis (55.8 ± 11.6 years) we evaluated bone mineral density at lumbar spine, at femoral neck and at total hip and the presence of MOF. Lung function measurements including diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were assessed. Chest X-rays were performed and radiological staging was done by Scadding score.

RESULTS

Ninety patients (23.6%) with sarcoidosis have history of a MOF. BMD T-scores were lower in sarcoidosis with MOF with respect to those without MOF, but the difference was statistically significant only for BMD at femoral neck (p < 0.05). Moreover, BMD values at total hip was positively correlated with DLCO (%) (p < 0.001). Prevalence of MOF was higher in patients with sarcoidosis with lung parenchymal involvement (radiological stages 2-4) than in patients with sarcoidosis in chest X-ray stages 0 and 1 (28.3 vs 19.2% respectively, p < 0.05). Moreover, multiple regression analyses showed that X-ray Scadding score was positively associated with MOF.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that MOF represent a common and important complication in patients with moderate/severe sarcoidosis. The chest X-ray evaluation and the pulmonary function test could allow to define the risk of MOF in sarcoidosis patients.

Bone Fracture in Rett Syndrome: Mechanisms and Prevention Strategies

The present study aimed to evaluate the burden and management of fragility fractures in subjects with Rett syndrome. We searched all relevant medical literature from 1 January 1986 to 30 June 2023 for studies under the search term "Rett syndrome and fracture". The fracture frequency ranges from a minimum of 13.9% to a maximum of 36.1%. The majority of such fractures occur in lower limb bones and are associated with low bone mineral density. Anticonvulsant use, joint contractures, immobilization, low physical activity, poor nutrition, the genotype, and lower calcium and vitamin D intakes all significantly impair skeletal maturation and bone mass accrual in Rett syndrome patients, making them more susceptible to fragility fractures. This review summarizes the knowledge on risk factors for fragility fracture in patients with Rett syndrome and suggests a possible diagnostic and therapeutic care pathway for improving low bone mineral density and reducing the risk of fragility fractures. The optimization of physical activity, along with adequate nutrition and the intake of calcium and vitamin D supplements, should be recommended. In addition, subjects with Rett syndrome and a history of fracture should consider using bisphosphonates.

Radiofrequency Echographic Multispectrometry (REMS): A New Option in the Assessment Bone Status in Adults with Osteogenesis Imperfecta

This study aimed to estimate the utility of the Radiofrequency Echographic Multispectrometry (REMS) approach in the assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) in subjects with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). In 41 subjects (40.5 ± 18.7 years) with OI and in 36 healthy controls, we measured BMD at the lumbar spine (LS-BMD), femoral neck (FN-BMD) and total hip (TH-BMD), employing a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry tool. Additionally, REMS scans were also performed at the lumbar and femoral sites. The presence and number of reported fractures were assessed in the study population. Patients characterized by a history of fragility fractures represented 84.5% of the study population. OI subjects showed significantly reduced BMD values both at the level of the lumbar spine and the femoral subregions (p < 0.01) compared to healthy controls when performed using both the DXA and the REMS method. Dividing OI patients on the basis of the Sillence classification, no differences were found between the LS-BMD values carried out using the DXA technique between the OI type I group and OI Type III and IV groups. On the contrary, the OI Type III and IV groups presented significantly lower values of both Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) and LS-BMD through REMS with respect to OI type I patients (p < 0.05). Based on the data of this study, it is possible to conclude that even the new REMS assessment, which does not use ionizing radiation, represents an excellent method for studying the bone status in subjects affected by OI.

Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (R.E.M.S.): New Frontiers for Ultrasound Use in the Assessment of Bone Status-A Current Picture

Osteoporosis is a frequently occurring skeletal disease, and osteoporosis-related fractures represent a significant burden for healthcare systems. Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) is the most commonly used method for assessing bone mineral density (BMD). Today, particular attention is being directed towards new technologies, especially those that do not use radiation, for the early diagnosis of altered bone status. Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) is a non-ionizing technology that evaluates the bone status at axial skeletal sites by analyzing raw ultrasound signals. In this review, we evaluated the data on the REMS technique present in the literature. The literature data confirmed diagnostic concordance between BMD values obtained using DXA and REMS. Furthermore, REMS has adequate precision and repeatability characteristics, is able to predict the risk of fragility fractures, and may be able to overcome some of the limitations of DXA. In conclusion, REMS could become the method of choice for the assessment of bone status in children, in women of childbearing age or who are pregnant, and in several secondary osteoporosis conditions due to its good precision and replicability, its transportability, and the absence of ionizing radiation. Finally, REMS may allow qualitative and not just quantitative assessments of bone status.

Bone fragility and sarcoidosis: An underestimated relationship

INTRODUCTION

Sarcoidosis is a chronic multisystem inflammatory disease which may affect any organ. Also bone can be involved both directly and indirectly. Data on BMD values and fragility fractures in sarcoidosis patients are few and heterogeneous. This study aimed to characterized the presence of fracture and the relative risk factors in patients with sarcoidosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this single center cross-sectional study we evaluated 252 sarcoidosis patients (54.7 ± 12.1 years) compared to sex-and age matched healthy controls. We measured BMD at lumbar spine, at femoral neck and at total hip. Moreover, the presence of fragility fractures was collected during osteoporosis visit and all radiological images were examined for the presence of any vertebral fracture according to Genant's method's. Lung function measurements, including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were assessed.

RESULTS

Bone Mineral Density T-scores were lower in patients affected by sarcoidosis with respect to those obtained in healthy controls, but the difference was statistically significant only for BMD-LS (p < 0.01) and BMD-TH (p < 0.05). Moreover, BMD values at all skeletal sites were significantly associated with DLCO (%) (p < 0.05). The prevalence of fragility fracture was higher in patients with sarcoidosis than in healthy controls (30.6 vs. 12.3%). The patients with ≥3 vertebral fracture had lower values of FVC (%), FEV1 (%), and DLCO (%). Multiple regression analyses showed that BMI was positively associated with fragility fracture, while BMD-TH, DLCO(%) and therapy use was negatively associated.

CONCLUSIONS

Vertebral fractures represent a frequent complication in patients with sarcoidosis. Furthermore, the number of vertebral fractures was linked with a worsening in pulmonary functional tests. Therefore, the degree of severity of the sarcoidosis disease appears to be the main determinant of bone fragility.