Prevalence of low bone health using quantitative ultrasound in Indian women aged 41–60 years: Its association with nutrition and other related risk factors

The purpose of this study was to find the prevalence of low bone health conditions and assess associated nutritional and other risk factors in Indian women aged 41–60 years. A total of 1,911 women participated in this cross-sectional study. Bone health was assessed using an Omnisense multisite quantitative ultrasound bone densitometer on two sites (radius and tibia). Crude prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis was found to be 30.09% and 19.89%, respectively. The Indian women were deficient in a majority of nutrients. Postmenopause, hysterectomy, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, hypertension, low physical activity, low sun exposure, high stress levels, and low calcium levels were found to be independent risk factors of low bone health.     

Use of quantitative ultrasound as bone mineral density evaluation in an Italian female population living with HIV: A real-life experience

This is a multicenter cross-sectional study where we aimed to detect the rate of osteopenia/osteoporosis in an HIV female population (WLWHIV) by means of “heel quantitative ultrasound” (QUS) measurement. We enrolled 273 patients, mean age 48.1 years, 36% menopausal, 96% on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Calcaneal measure of bone mass index by QUS revealed osteopenia and osteoporosis in 76 (27.8%) and 16 (5.9%) WLWHIV. Our data underline the correlation between low QUS parameters and traditional risk factors for osteoporosis rather than with cART exposure, thus suggesting the crucial importance of detection and correction of traditional risk factors for osteoporosis in WLWHIV.     

Long-term effects of back extensor strengthening exercises on quality of life in women with osteoporosis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term effect of back extensor strengthening exercises on health-related quality of life (QOL) in women with osteoporosis. In this randomized clinical trial, 183 women with osteoporosis were treated with pharmacotherapy and weight-bearing and balance-training exercises. The case group additionally performed back extensor exercises at home. Patients filled out the Persian version of the Short Form (SF-36) QOL questionnaire at baseline and 6 months post treatment. At the end, all physical and mental parameters of the SF-36 questionnaire improved significantly in the case group, except for one subscale of mental health, compared to the control group. In the control group, only some physical health dimensions (bodily pain, role limitation, physical function, vitality), and mental health status as a mental health subscale improved. In conclusion, considering a major impact of back extensor exercises on improving QOL in women with osteoporosis over the long term, these exercises should be prescribed in routine management of these patients.     

Latent variable model for mixed correlated power series and ordinal longitudinal responses with non ignorable missing values

We propose a joint model based on a latent variable for analyzing mixed power series and ordinal longitudinal data with and without missing values. A bivariate probit regression model is used for the missing mechanisms. Random effects are used to take into account the correlation between longitudinal responses. A full likelihood-based approach is used to yield maximum-likelihood estimates of the model parameters. Our model is applied to a medical data set, obtained from an observational study on women where the correlated responses are the ordinal response of osteoporosis of the spine and the power series response of the number of joint damages. Sensitivity analysis is also performed to study the influence of small perturbations of the parameters of the missing mechanisms and overdispersion of the model on likelihood displacement.     

Subject index for Volume 3, 2000

Aim.?The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the bisphosphonate ibandronate (IBN) in a male osteoporosis animal model.

Methods.?Two studies were performed in 9-month-old orchidectomised (ORX) or sham-operated rats. In prevention study, subcutaneous IBN was administered daily (1?μg/kg) or monthly (28?μg/kg every 28 days) starting on day of surgery for 5 months. In treatment study, the same treatment started 6 months after ORX. After sacrifice, bone analyses by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, 3-dimensional micro-computed tomography, and 3-point bending were performed in femora or vertebrae. Serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP-5b) and aminoterminal propeptide of collagen I (PINP) were analysed for resorption and osteocalcin (BGP) for bone formation.

Results.?In both studies, ORX resulted in significant femoral and vertebral bone loss and microarchitectural deterioration after 5 months of ORX, and became more pronounced after 11 months. Biomechanical strength was also decreased. Serum levels for TRAP-5b and BGP increased while PINP levels were reduced or unchanged. Both daily and monthly IBN prevented or even restored ORX-induced changes in both studies, with the intermittent regimen showing a improvement in efficacy with respect to many of the biomechanical parameters.     

Commentary: Male Osteoporosis—Policy Gaps in Prevention and Treatment

Osteoporosis is a disabling disease affecting 10 million Americans, leading to increased risk of fractures and poor functional ability. Although typically thought of as a women's disease, millions of men are diagnosed with osteoporosis or low bone mass, and the risk for osteoporotic fractures is increasing. To address undetected and untreated osteoporosis among men, public health education should be targeted to males. Insurance programs, including Medicare, should add the heel qualitative ultrasound (QUS) for age-eligible men with follow-up every 2 years. Policy changes should address funding of targeted education and prevention programs for aging males, including coverage of screening tests.     

LOH–pitfalls of an ambiguous abbreviation

Osteoporosis in elderly men is becoming an important health issue with the aging society. Elderly men with androgen deficiency are exposed to osteoporosis and can be treated with testosterone replacement. In this study, Eurycoma longifolia (EL), a plant with androgenic effects, was supplemented to an androgen-deficient osteoporotic aged rat as alternative to testosterone. Aged 12 months old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups of normal control (NC), sham-operated (SO), orchidectomised-control (OrxC), orchidectomised and supplemented with EL (Orx?+?El) and orchidectomised and given testosterone (Orx?+?T). After 6 weeks of treatment, serum osteocalcin, serum terminal C-telopeptide Type 1 collagen (CTX) and the fourth lumbar bone calcium were measured. There were no significant differences in the osteocalcin levels before and after treatment in all the groups. The CTX levels were also similar for all the groups before treatment. However, after treatment, orchidectomy had caused significant elevation of CTX compared to normal control rats. Testosterone replacements in orchidectomised rats were able to prevent the rise of CTX. Orchidectomy had also reduced the bone calcium level compared to normal control rats. Both testosterone replacement and EL supplementation to orchidectomised rats were able to maintain the bone calcium level, with the former showing better effects. As a conclusion, EL prevented bone calcium loss in orchidectomised rats and therefore has the potential to be used as an alternative treatment for androgen deficient osteoporosis.     

Focus Groups Identified Women's Perceptions of Dairy Foods

ABSTRACT

Focus groups were conducted with 39 Caucasian women (ages 30–55 years) to gain insight regarding their thoughts and feelings toward dairy foods. Women resided in Virginia; all had at least a high school education. Themes characterizing the group discussions were identified. Women knew that dairy foods were a good source of calcium and discussed it in relation to osteoporosis. Although many knew the risk factors related to osteoporosis, most were confused about measures to prevent it. Many used calcium supplements or vitamin/mineral supplements to help meet calcium requirements. Most thought dairy foods were high in fat. Women also discussed the sensory attributes of dairy foods as well as convenience and cost of dairy foods in relation to their dairy food choices.     

American College Health Association

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional investigation was to examine (1) gender differences in osteoporosis-related knowledge and beliefs and (2) if these beliefs could predict vigorous physical activity behavior in university students. Participants: Male (n = 176) and female (n = 351) university students participated in the study. Methods: Participants completed self-report measures of osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs and vigorous physical activity. Results: Regardless of gender, osteoporosis knowledge was relatively poor. Women reported higher knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and calcium barriers, and lower exercise self-efficacy than men. Regression analyses showed that for women, perceived susceptibility, health motivation, and exercise self-efficacy predicted vigorous physical activity, whereas for men, exercise barriers was the only predictor. Conclusions: Gender differences in osteoporosis health beliefs appear to be greater in older adults than college-aged students. Interventions designed to increase vigorous physical activity may want to target different beliefs for men and women.     

Bone mineral density at distal forearm in men over 40 years of age in Mae Chaem district,Chiang Mai Province,Thailand: a pilot study

Objective: To study the prevalence of bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis in the distal forearm among Thai men over 40 years of age in Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.

Methods: The subjects in this study were 194 Thai men, aged between 40 and 87 years who resided in Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Self-administered questionnaires were used for receiving the demographic characteristics information. BMD was measured by peripheral dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at the nondominant distal forearm in all men.

Results: The BMD was highest in the age-group 40–49 years and lowest in the age-group 70–87 years. The average T-score at the distal forearm was also highest in the age-group 40–49 years and lowest in the age-group 70–87 years. The BMD decreased as a function of age-group (p?p?p?>?.05). The percentage of osteopenia and osteoporosis are increased as a function of age-group in, while decreased in that of normal bone density.

Conclusions: We found the prevalence of osteoporosis in men who resided in Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.