Anisotropy of Trabecular Bone from Ultra-Distal Radius Digital X-Ray Imaging: Effects on Bone Mineral Density and Age

Background: When applied to trabecular bone X-ray images, the anisotropic properties of trabeculae located at ultra-distal radius were investigated by using the trabecular bone scores (TBS) calculated along directions parallel and perpendicular to the forearm. Methodology: Data from more than two hundred subjects were studied retrospectively. A DXA (GE Lunar Prodigy) scan of the forearm was performed on each subject to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) value at the location of ultra-distal radius, and an X-ray digital image of the same forearm was taken on the same day. The values of trabecular bone score along the direction perpendicular to the forearm, TBSx, and along the direction parallel to the forearm, TBSy, were calculated respectively. The statistics of TBSx and TBSy were calculated, and the anisotropy of the trabecular bone, which was defined as the ratio of TBSy to TBSx and changed with subjects’ BMD and age, was reported and analyzed. Results: The results show that the correlation coefficient between TBSx and TBSy was 0.72 (p BMD and age was reported. The results showed that decreased trabecular bone anisotropy was associated with deceased BMD and increased age in the subject group. Conclusions: This study shows that decreased trabecular bone anisotropy was associated with decreased BMD and increased age.

Risk assessment instruments for screening bone mineral density in a Mediterranean population

AIM To evaluate the power of six osteoporosis-screening instruments in women in a Mediterranean country.METHODS Data concerning several osteoporosis risk factors were prospectively collected from 1000 postmenopausal women aged 42-87 years who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry(DEXA) screening. Six osteoporosis risk factor screening tools were applied to this sample to evaluate their performance and choose the most appropriate tool for the study population.RESULTS The most important screening tool for osteoporosis status was the Simple Calculated Osteoporosis Risk Estimation, which had an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.678, a sensitivity of 72%, and a specificity of 72%, with a cut-off point of 20.75. The most important screening tool for osteoporosis risk was the Osteoporosis Self-assessment Tool, which had an AUC of 0.643, a sensitivity of 77%, and a specificity of 46%,with a cut-off point of-2.9.CONCLUSION Some commonly used clinical risk instruments demonstrate high sensitivity for distinguishing individuals with DEXA-ascertained osteoporosis or reduced bone mineral density.

Imaging Analysis of Trabecular Bone Texture Based on the Initial Slope of Variogram of Ultra-Distal Radius Digital X-Ray Imaging: Effects on Bone Mineral Density and Age

Background: When applied to trabecular bone X-ray images, a method for analyzing trabecular bone texture based on the initial slope of variogram (ISV) was used to assess the trabecular bone health. Methodology: Data from more than two hundred subjects were retrospectively studied. For each subject, a DXA (GE Lunar Prodigy) scan of the forearm was performed, and bone mineral density (BMD) value was measured at the location of ultra-distal radius, X-ray digital image of the same forearm was taken on the same day, and ISV value over the same location of ultra-distal radius was calculated. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the correlation between BMD and ISV of the trabecular bones located at the same ultra-distal radius. ISV values changed with subjects’ age were also reported. Results: The results show that ISV value was highly correlated with the DXA-measured BMD of the same trabecular bone located at the ultra-distal radius. The correlation coefficient between ISV and BMD with the 95% confident was 0.79 ± 0.09. They also demonstrated that the age-related changes in trabecular bone health and differentiated age patterns in males and females, respectively. The results showed that the decrease in BMD was accompanied by a decrease in the initial slope of variogram (ISV). Conclusions: This study suggests that ISV might be used to quantitatively evaluate trabecular health for osteoporosis and bone disease diagnosis.

Bone mineral density in lifelong trained male football players compared with young and elderly untrained men

Purpose: The purpose of the present controlled cross-sectional study was to investigate proximal femur and whole-body bone mineral density(BMD), as well as bone turnover profile, in lifelong trained elderly male football players and young elite football players compared with untrained age-matched men.Methods: One hundred and forty healthy, non-smoking men participated in the study, including lifelong trained football players(FTE, n = 35)aged 65—80 years, elite football players(FTY, n = 35) aged 18—30 years, as well as untrained age-matched elderly(UE, n = 35) and young(UY,n = 35) men. All participants underwent a regional dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DXA) scan of the proximal femur and a whole-body DXA scan to determine BMD. From a resting blood sample, the bone turnover markers(BTMs) osteocalcin, carboxy-terminal type-1 collagen crosslinks(CTX-1), procollagen type-1 amino-terminal propeptide(P1NP), and sclerostin were measured.Results: FTE had 7.3%—12.9% higher(p < 0.05) BMD of the femoral neck, wards, shaft, and total proximal femur in both legs compared to UE,and 9.3%—9.7% higher(p < 0.05) BMD in femoral trochanter in both legs compared to UY. FTY had 24.3%—37.4% higher(p < 0.001) BMD in all femoral regions and total proximal femur in both legs compared to UY. The whole-body DXA scan confirmed these results, with FTE showing similar whole-body BMD and 7.9% higher(p < 0.05) leg BMD compared to UY, and with FTY having 9.6% higher(p < 0.001) wholebody BMD and 18.2% higher(p < 0.001) leg BMD compared to UY. The plasma concentration of osteocalcin, CTX-1, and P1NP were 29%,53%, and 52% higher(p < 0.01), respectively, in FTY compared to UY.Conclusion: BMD of the proximal femur and whole-body BMD are markedly higher in lifelong trained male football players aged 65—80 years and young elite football players aged 18—30 years compared to age-matched untrained men. Elderly football players even show higher BMD in femoral trochanter and leg BMD than untrained young despite an age difference of 47 years.

Study on Bone Mineral Density and its Influencing Factors among 1214 Older Adults in Xuhui District,Shanghai

Objective To understand the status of the forearm bone mineral density （BMD） in older adults, and to identify the potentialfactors influencing BMD. Methods A total of 1 214 older adults were examined, in Tianlin, Fenglin and Xietu sub-districts, of Xuhui district, Shanghai. BMD was tested at the left forearm, including distal radius and ulna 1/3 total, distal radius where the distance of radius and ulna is 8 mm, ultra-distal radius, by single energy X-ray densitometer. Results The BMD at all of the four sites decreased with the age increased. The average BMD was higher in male than in female for the same age and measured site. Distal radius 1/3 total had the highest BMD among the four sites. The incidence of low BMD and osteoporosis in distal forearm 1/3 radius total ascended with the age increased. Multiplied logistic regression showed that males had a lower risk to be low BMD （OR=0. 19） compared with female. Compared with the group aged from 50 to 54, the odds ratio in the group aged from 55 to 59, 60 to 64, and 65 to 70 were respectively 3.17, 5.13, 15.03. Compared with those whose monthly salary was less than 1 000, the odds ratio was O. 70 in those whose salary was more than 1 000. Conclusion The incidence of low BMD was high in older adults, and it is related with sex, age, monthly salary.

Validation of quantitative computed tomography-derived areal bone mineral density with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in an elderly Chinese population

Background The performance of computed tomography X-ray absorptiometry （CTXA） against the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry （DXA） as standard has not been studied in Chinese population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the precision of this measurement and validate the value of quantitative computed tomography （QCT） by comparing CTXA results with DXA results in an elderly Chinese population. Methods One hundred and three females of 46 to 76 years old and 49 males of 52 to 76 years old were recruited from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study. All subjects underwent hip scans by both QCT and DXA on the same day. For precision determination, 30 subjects had duplicate DXA hip scans. The hip QCT data of a subset of 27 subjects were separately analyzed by two observers and reanalyzed by one observer at a different time. The inter- and intra-observer variations of CTXA measurement were assessed, and the difference and correlation between CTXA and DXA results were analyzed. Results The inter- and intra-observer variations of CTXA were 0.070 and 0.024 g/cm^2 in the femoral neck （FN）, and 0.030 and 0.012 g/cm2 in the total hip （TH）, which were comparable to the DXA inter-scan variations （0.013 g/cm2 for FN and 0.014 g/cm2 for TH）. The results of CTXA bone mineral density （BMD） were highly correlated with those of DXA （R2 = 0.810 for FN and R2 = 0.878 for TH）. The BMD values of CTXA in FN and TH were lower than those of DXA by 21.0% and 17.8% （P〈0.05）, respectively. However, after appropriate transformation, the difference was eliminated and a comparable T score could be obtained. Conclusions CTXA shows good agreement with DXA for the measurement of BMD in the proximal femur, which makes QCT suitable for the quantification of bone mineral content in the hip and helpful for the diagnosis of osteoporosis.

Screening and early diagnosis of osteoporosis through X-ray and ultrasound based techniques

Effective prevention and management of osteoporosis would require suitable methods for population screenings and early diagnosis. Current clinicallyavailable diagnostic methods are mainly based on the use of either X-rays or ultrasound(US). All X-ray based methods provide a measure of bone mineral density(BMD), but it has been demonstrated that other structural aspects of the bone are important in determining fracture risk, such as mechanical features and elastic properties, which cannot be assessed using densitometric techniques. Among the most commonly used techniques, dual X-ray absorptiometry(DXA) is considered the current 'gold standard' for osteoporosis diagnosis and fracture risk prediction. Unfortunately, as other X-ray based techniques, DXA has specific limitations(e.g., use of ionizing radiation, large size of the equipment, high costs, limited availability) that hinder its application for population screenings and primary care diagnosis. This has resulted in an increasing interest in developing reliable pre-screening tools for osteoporosis such as quantitative ultrasound(QUS) scanners, which do not involve ionizing radiation exposure and represent a cheaper solution exploiting portable and widely available devices. Furthermore, the usefulness of QUS techniques in fracture risk prediction has been proven and, with the last developments, they are also becoming a more and more reliable approach for assessing bone quality. However, the US assessment of osteoporosis is currently used only as a pre-screening tool, requiring a subsequent diagnosis confirmation by means of a DXA evaluation. Here we illustrate the state of art in the early diagnosis of this 'silent disease' and show up recent advances for its prevention and improved management through early diagnosis.

Bone mass in axial spondyloarthritis:A literature review

AIM: To review the published literature reporting bone loss in patients with axial spondyloarthritis(SpA) particularly those studies using dual X-ray absorptiometry(DXA) methods. METHODS: This literature review examines the reported bone mass in patients with ax-SpA, particularly those using the DXA methods. The MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched for relevant articles published between September 1992 and November 2013. Some of used search terms were ankylosing spondylitis(AS), SpA, spondyloarthropathy, bone loss, bone mass, osteopenia, bone mineraldensity, osteoporosis(OP), densitometry. Studies in which bone loss was investigated by using DXA in patients with Sp A were eligible. Each article was reviewed and the key elements were noted.RESULTS: There were 286 hits on MEDLINE, 200 on Web of Science and 476 on Scopus. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, we identified 55 articles in our systematic search. The sample size of the studies varied from 14 to 332 patients with SpA. The reported age range varied from 25 to 56 years in the reviewed studies. The symptom duration of patients with axS pA varied from 1.6 to 49 years. There were more males than females in these studies. Most of the recruited females were premenopausal women. Reported HLA-B27 positivity changed between 19% to 95%. The prevalence of OP and osteopenia in patients with Sp A varied from 3%-47% to 5%-88%, respectively, in the included studies. In particular, the prevalence of OP and osteopenia ranged from 2.0%-47.0% and 5.0%-78.3%, respectively, in patients with AS. There are conflicting results regarding the relationship among disease activity, acute phase response and bone mass. Some studies suggest good correlation of bone mass with disease activity and acute phase reactants.CONCLUSION: Bone loss may be determined in patients with ax Sp A at the lumbar spine or proximal femur even in the early phase of the disease and may be associated with inflammation(bone marrow edema) at the vertebral colon.

Prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis detected by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry among Chinese patients with primary biliary cholangitis

BACKGROUND Osteoporosis is an extrahepatic complication of primary biliary cholangitis(PBC)that increases the risk of fractures and mortality.However,Epidemiological studies of osteoporosis in patients with PBC in China and the Asia-Pacific region is lack.AIM To assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of osteoporosis in Chinese patients with PBC.METHODS This retrospective analysis included consecutive patients with PBC from a tertiary care center in China who underwent bone mineral density(BMD)assessment using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry between January 2013 and December 2021.We defined subjects with T-scores≤-2.5 in any sites(L1 to L4,femoral neck,or total hip)as having osteoporosis.Demographic,serological,clinical,and histological data were collected.Independent risk factors for osteoporosis were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS A total of 268 patients with PBC[236 women(88.1%);mean age,56.7±10.6 years;163 liver biopsies(60.8%)]were included.The overall prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with PBC was 45.5%(122/268),with the prevalence of osteoporosis in women and men being 47.0%and 34.4%,respectively.The prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women was significantly higher than that in premenopausal women(56.3%vs 21.0%,P<0.001).Osteoporosis in patients with PBC is associated with age,fatigue,menopausal status,previous steroid therapy,body mass index(BMI),splenomegaly,gastroesophageal varices,ascites,Mayo risk score,histological stage,alanine aminotransferase,albumin,bilirubin,platelet and prothrombin activity.Multivariate regression analysis identified that older age,lower BMI,previous steroid therapy,higher Mayo risk score,and advanced histological stage as the main independent risk factors for osteoporosis in PBC.CONCLUSION Osteoporosis is very common in Chinese patients with PBC,allowing for prior screening of BMD in those PBC patients with older age,lower BMI,previous steroid therapy and advanced liver disease.

类风湿性关节炎与骨质疏松症和骨密度关系的孟德尔随机化分析

背景:许多临床研究观察表明类风湿性关节炎与骨质疏松症和骨密度之间存在密切关系,但类风湿性关节炎与骨质疏松症和骨密度之间是否存在因果遗传尚不清楚。目的:采用两样本孟德尔随机化研究方法评估类风湿性关节炎与骨质疏松症和骨密度之间潜在的因果关系,从遗传学的角度对潜在的机制提供有意义的见解,为早期预防骨质疏松症、改善疾病的发生发展提供参考。方法:从全基因组关联研究(GWAS)公开数据库中筛选出与类风湿性关节炎相关的(P<5×10^(-8))单核苷酸多态性位点作为工具变量。研究结局主要包括骨质疏松症、5个不同部位的骨密度,包括全身骨密度、腰椎骨密度、股骨颈骨密度、足跟骨密度以及前臂骨密度。逆方差加权法为该研究评估因果效应的主要分析方法,文章采用加权中位数法、简单中位数法、加权中值方法和MR-Egger回归用于补充说明,以比值比(OR)和95%可信区间(95%CI)评价类风湿性关节炎与骨质疏松症及骨密度风险之间的因果关系,使用类风湿性关节炎Cochran’s Q检验异质性,利用MR-Egger-intercept检验是否存在水平多效性。结果与结论:①逆方差加权法结果表明遗传预测的类风湿性关节炎与骨质疏松症呈正相关(OR=1.123,95%CI:1.077-1.171,P=4.02×10^(-8)),异质性检验表明单核苷酸多态性位点不存在异质性(P=0.388),MR-Egger-intercept检验未检测到水平多效性(P=0.571),敏感性分析显示研究结果没有产生偏倚。②类风湿性关节炎与5个部位的骨密度之间不存在因果关系显示如下:全身骨密度(OR=1.000,95%CI:0.988-1.012,P=0.925)、腰椎骨密度(OR=0.999,95%CI:0.982-1.016,P=0.937)、股骨颈骨密度(OR=1.001,95%CI:0.986-1.016,P=0.866)、足跟骨密度(OR=0.996,95%CI:0.989-1.004,P=0.419)、前臂骨密度(OR=1.063,95%CI:0.970-1.031,P=0.996)。MR-Egger-intercept分析未检测到潜在的水平多效性(全身骨密度:P=0.253;腰椎骨密度:P=0.638;股骨颈骨密度:P=0.553;足跟骨密度:P=0.444;前臂骨密度:P=0.079)。③类风湿性关节炎可能通过慢性炎症与骨的形成、骨溶解和吸收之间的相互作用导致骨质疏松症,此外,糖皮质激素的使用和类风湿性关节炎患者身体内的自身抗体(如抗瓜氨酸蛋白抗体)阳性也与骨质疏松症存在相关性。④未来研究需重点关注类风湿性关节炎患者全身免疫水平的系统性炎症指标、糖皮质激素的规范使用以及定期进行骨质疏松症风险筛查。

Efficacy of weight adjusted bone mineral content in osteoporosis diagnosis in Chinese female population

Background:Areal bone mineral density(aBMD)applied for osteoporosis diagnosis unavoidably results in the missingdiagnosis in patients with large bones and misdiagnosis in those with small bones.Therefore,we try to find a new adjusted index of bone mineral content(BMC)to make up shortcomings of aBMD in osteoporosis diagnosis.Methods:In this multi-center epidemiological study,BMC and aBMD of lumbar spines(n=5510)and proximal femurs(n=4710)were measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA).We analyzed the correlation between the bone mass and body weight in all subjects including four age groups(<19 years,20-39 years,40-49 years,>50 years).And then the body weight was used for standardizing BMC(named wBMC)and applied for the epidemiological analysis of osteoporosis?Results:The correlation of body weight and BMC is 0.839 to 0.931 of lumbar vertebra 1-4(Li_4),and 0.71 to 0.95 of femoral neck in different age groups.When aBMD was applied for diagnosing osteoporosis,the prevalence was 7.55%,16.39%,and 25.83%in patients with a high,intermediate,and low body weight respectively.However,the prevalence was 21.8%,18.03%,and 11.64%by wBMC applied for diagnosing osteoporosis.Moreover,the prevalence of osteoporosis increased by 3.76%by wBMC with the body weight increased by 5 kg.The prevalence decreased by 1.94%when the body weight decreased by 5 kg.Conclusions:wBMC can reduce the missed diagnosis in patients with large body weight and reduce misdiagnosis in those with small body weight.Including children,wBMC may be feasible for osteoporosis diagnosis individuals at any age.

脊柱内固定器的应力遮挡

目的 :设计山羊脊柱内固定的动物模型 ,研究脊柱内固定器对固定区域椎体骨密度及骨结构的影响。方法 :采用定量CT(QCT) ,荧光标记 ,定量组织学技术分别测量固定 3月及 6月后椎体皮质骨、松质骨的骨密度及骨结构的改变。结果 :脊柱内固定后椎体皮质骨、松质骨的骨密度 ,都有显著性降低。组织学结果显示骨结构出现了骨质疏松的病理改变。结论 :脊柱内固定后出现了应力遮挡现象。所产生的负面影响需临床随访证实。

两种全身骨密度仪试验体模的比较研究

研究比较国产QC-2型骨密度仪试验体模（以下称QC-2或QC-2体模）和美国仿真体模（bonafidephantom，以下称BFP或BFP体模），在双能X射线全身骨密度仪（以下称DXA或DXA仪）试验中测试结果的一致性。用美国Hologic公司的DXA分别对这两种体模的仿真骨骨密度进行测试的方法，对仪器测量结果进行比较研究分析。H010gic仪器对OC-2型体模和BFP体模分别进行测量时，仪器测量的骨密度（以下称BMD）同对应体模的BMD标称值相比，测量误差分别为：对QC-2体模在-10．0％～4．0％范围，对BFP体模在-6．7％～1．7％范围；仪器测试值与两个体模各自的标称值之间，都有高度的线性相关性，r〉O．99。回归分析：用回归方程进行校正后，测试值（BMD）与QC-2体模和BFP体模的各自的标称值之间的误差分别在-1．0％-1．0％和-1．9％～1．65％范围。表明这两种骨密度体模用于双能X射线全身骨密度仪（DXA）的正确性进行测试，其结果有很好的一致性。

中波紫外线照射治疗绝经后骨质疏松的临床研究

目的探讨中波紫外线照射仪对绝经后骨质疏松的治疗作用。方法选择符合诊断标准的绝经后骨质疏松患者99例随机分为A、B、C三组,在A组35例肾阳虚型绝经后骨质疏松患者用中波紫外线照射治疗;B组34例肾阴虚型绝经后骨质疏松患者用中波紫外线照射治疗,两组均加服钙剂(2 g/d)。对照组C组,30例绝经后骨质疏松患者肌注鲑鱼降钙素,同时加服钙剂(2 g/d)。观察治疗前后血清1,25(OH)2D3、YoungZ、腰椎骨密度(BMD)的变化。结果中波紫外线照射治疗肾阳虚组血清1,25(OH)2D3、Young Z、腰椎BMD在治疗前后差异均有显著性,与肾阴虚组比较有显著差异。C组各观察指标无明显变化。结论中波紫外线照射对绝经后肾阳虚型骨质疏松有较好的疗效,可提高骨密度,改善骨代谢。

三种骨密度体模DXA一致性测试

目的比较华科QC-2、欧洲QRM-ESP和美国BFP-Cirs026三种骨密度体模在双能X射线(Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry,DXA)骨密度仪上测试的通用性、适应性和测量结果的一致性。方法选用GE-Lunar和Hologic-Discovery两种DXA分别对这三种体模的模拟椎骨进行测试,对骨密度值进行比较分析,用最小二乘法拟合线性回归方程,校正测量结果,并分析其相关性。结果三种体模分别被GE和Hologic DXA测量的相对误差都很大(-9.1%~31.3%),经线性回归方程校正后,校正值与相应体模的标称值相对误差范围在-2.5%~5.5%,测量结果和相应的体模标称值具有高度的线性相关性,相关系数r>0.99。结论三种体模都可用于DXA的检定和试验,其测量结果具有很好的一致性,其中ESP体模适应性最佳。

基于VC++的骨密度计软件开发

在介绍骨密度计结构图的基础上,简要说明了骨密度计的工作原理.用M i-crosoftV isual C++6.0设计了骨密度计软件系统.系统主要有登录、病人资料管理、在线测量、骨质评估四个功能单元.

骨密度测量仪器临床应用与管理

目的:探讨美国GE双能量iDXA骨密度仪应用质量控制及管理经验。方法:通过培训使每位操作者都能了解设备的工作原理,掌握设备的使用方法并对42例患者进行了腰椎及左髋关节骨密度测量。结果:42例骨密度测量患者骨质疏松37例。结论:在使用中熟练准确掌握仪器的操作流程,能提高骨密度测量结果的准确率。

骨密度仪在人体成份测量中的初步应用

目的:探讨骨密度仪在人体成份测量中的的应用价值。方法:应用骨密度仪对肿瘤初诊患者进行人体成份分析,比对皮脂厚度测量、腰围、臀围及体脂率等指标,统计分析其相关性。结果:初步应用骨密度仪测量人体成份结果表明,女性脂肪组织高于男性,肌肉和骨密度则略低。脂肪分布以腰、臀、胸、腿为主,肱三头肌皮脂厚度与骨密度仪上肢脂肪含量测量结果有较好的相关性;腰、腹围和腹、臀部脂肪含量有较好的相关性。结论:皮脂厚度测量和腰、臀围可以较好的反映体内脂肪含量,骨密度仪则能更全面的定量分析人体各部位的骨、肌肉和脂含量,临床可以选择应用评估受检者的营养情况。

Managing osteoporosis in ulcerative colitis: Something new?

The authors revise the latest evidence in the literature regarding managing of osteoporosis in ulcerative colitis (UC), paying particular attention to the latest tendency of the research concerning the management of bone damage in the patient affected by UC. It is wise to assess vitamin D status in ulcerative colitis patients to recognize who is predisposed to low levels of vitamin D, whose deficiency has to be treated with oral or parenteral vitamin D supplementation. An adequate dietary calcium intake or supplementation and physical activity, if possible, should be guaranteed. Osteoporotic risk factors, such as smoking and excessive alcohol intake, must be avoided. Steroid has to be prescribed at the lowest possible dosage and for the shortest possible time. Moreover, conditions favoring falling have to been minimized, like carpets, low illumination, sedatives assumption, vitamin D deficiency. It is advisable to assess the fracture risk in all UC patient by the fracture assessment risk tool (FRAX® tool), that calculates the ten years risk of fracture for the population aged from 40 to 90 years in many countries of the world. A high risk value could indicate the necessity of treatment, whereas a low risk value suggests a follow-up only. An intermediate risk supports the decision to prescribe bone mineral density (BMD) assessment and a subsequent patient revaluation for treatment. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry bone densitometry can be used not only for BMD measurement, but also to collect data about bone quality by the means of trabecular bone score and hip structural analysis assessment. These two indices could represent a method of interesting perspectives in evaluating bone status in patients affected by diseases like UC, which may present an impairment of bone quality as well as of bone quantity. In literature there is no strong evidence for instituting pharmacological therapy of bone impairment in UC patients for clinical indications other than those that are also applied to the patients with osteoporosis. Therefore, a reasonable advice is to consider pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis in those UC patients who already present fragility fractures, which bring a high risk of subsequent fractures. Therapy has also to be considered in patients with a high risk of fracture even if it did not yet happen, and particularly when they had long periods of corticosteroid therapy or cumulative high dosages. In patients without fragility fractures or steroid treatment, a medical decision about treatment could be guided by the FRAX tool to determine the intervention threshold. Among drugs for osteoporosis treatment, the bisphosphonates are the most studied ones, with the best and longest evidence of efficacy and safety. Despite this, several questions are still open, such as the duration of treatment, the necessity to discontinue it, the indication of therapy in young patients, particularly in those without previous fractures. Further, it has to be mentioned that a long-term bisphosphonates use in primary osteoporosis has been associated with an increased incidence of dramatic side-effects, even if uncommon, like osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical sub-trochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fractures. UC is a long-lasting disease and the majority of patients is relatively young. In this scenario primary prevention of fragility fracture is the best cost-effective strategy. Vitamin D supplementation, adequate calcium intake, suitable physical activity (when possible), removing of risk factors for osteoporosis like smoking, and avoiding falling are the best medical acts.

湖南邵阳地区汉族正常人群骨密度的测定

目的了解湖南邵阳地区汉族正常成年人的峰值骨量及各年龄段的骨密度(BMD)水平,为今后全国范围内的骨量调查提供参考性数据。方法用双能X线骨密度仪对湖南邵阳地区现有社区医疗服务网内城镇、农村居民,随机抽样年龄在20～70岁的男女健康人群237例进行腰椎及股骨颈骨密度的测定,将所获得的数据录入SPSS17.0软件数据库进行相关统计分析。结果湖南邵阳地区汉族成年男女峰值骨量在30～39岁年龄段,在50岁以后骨量呈缓慢下降趋势,正常健康男、女各年龄段同一部位骨密度水平虽不同,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 BMD达到峰值后,随年龄增加而下降,正常健康同性人群同一部位不同年龄段的骨骼骨密度水平基本一致,男女不同部位的骨密度峰值不同。