Project description:In a population-based study, we found that computed tomography (CT)-based bone density and strength measures from the thoracic spine predicted new vertebral fracture as well as measures from the lumbar spine, suggesting that CT scans at either the thorax or abdominal regions are useful to assess vertebral fracture risk.IntroductionPrior studies have shown that computed tomography (CT)-based lumbar bone density and strength measurements predict incident vertebral fracture. This study investigated whether CT-based bone density and strength measurements from the thoracic spine predict incident vertebral fracture and compared the performance of thoracic and lumbar bone measurements to predict incident vertebral fracture.MethodsThis case-control study of community-based men and women (age 74.6 ± 6.6) included 135 cases with incident vertebral fracture at any level and 266 age- and sex-matched controls. We used baseline CT scans to measure integral and trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and vertebral strength (via finite element analysis, FEA) at the T8 and L2 levels. Association between these measurements and vertebral fracture was determined by using conditional logistic regression. Sensitivity and specificity for predicting incident vertebral fracture were determined for lumbar spine and thoracic bone measurements.ResultsBone measurements from T8 and L2 predicted incident vertebral fracture equally well, regardless of fracture location. Specifically, for predicting vertebral fracture at any level, the odds ratio (per 1-SD decrease) for the vBMD and strength measurements at L2 and T8 ranged from 2.0 to 2.7 (p < 0.0001) and 1.8 to 2.8 (p < 0.0001), respectively. Results were similar when predicting fracture only in the thoracic versus the thoracolumbar spine. Lumbar and thoracic spine bone measurements had similar sensitivity and specificity for predicting incident vertebral fracture.ConclusionThese findings indicated that like those from the lumbar spine, CT-based bone density and strength measurements from the thoracic spine may be useful for identifying individuals at high risk for vertebral fracture.

Project description:During median follow-up 6.0 years in 9622 individuals, prior loss in estimated total body lean mass (TBLM), but not total body fat mass loss (TBFM), was associated with increased fracture risk, particularly for hip fracture.IntroductionWeight loss, and especially muscle loss, adversely affects skeletal health. The FRAX® tool considers baseline body mass index, but not body composition nor changes in its components over time. Our aim was to compare the independent associations between prior loss in DXA-estimated TBLM and TBFM and subsequent fracture risk.MethodsWe identified women and men age 40 years or older with two DXA assessments at least 1 year apart (median interval 3.3 years). TBLM and TBFM were estimated from weight, sex, and DXA of the spine and hip. Incident fractures and deaths were ascertained from linked population-based health service data after the date of the second DXA. Hazard ratios (HRs) from Cox regression models were used to study time to fracture from prior loss in TBLM and TBFM adjusted for FRAX-related covariates.ResultsThe study population consisted of 9622 individuals (mean age 67 [SD 10] years, 95% female). We identified 692 subjects with incident major osteoporotic fracture [MOF] and 194 with hip fracture. Mean TBLM loss was significantly greater in those with incident MOF and hip fracture (P?<?0.001) while TBFM loss was only significantly greater in those with incident hip fracture (P?<?0.001). Each SD greater TBLM loss was associated with 10-13% increased MOF risk and 29-38% increased hip fracture risk, adjusted for TBFM loss and other covariates. Prior TBFM loss was not associated with fractures when adjusted for TBLM loss.ConclusionsPrior loss in total body lean mass, but not in fat mass, is associated with increased fracture risk, particularly hip fracture, independent of other risk factors. This is consistent with the hypothesis that muscle loss (sarcopenia) adversely impacts skeletal health and fracture risk.

Project description:Osteoporosis is the consequence of altered bone metabolism resulting in the systemic reduction of bone strength and increased risk of fragility fractures. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression on a post-transcriptional level are known to take part in the control of bone formation and bone resorption. Recently, targeted secretion of miRNAs from cells originating from various tissues has been described, which allows for their minimal-invasive detection in serum/plasma and use as biomarkers for presence and progression of pathological conditions. One pilot study has reported circulating miRNAs in serum and tissue of fracture patients. However, further studies are required to explore whether a dysbalance in bone homeostasis of fracture patients can reliably be reflected by specific circulating miRNAs, and whether these miRNAs might serve as drugable targets. Here, we report results from a comprehensive multiplex study of 175 miRNAs in serum samples obtained from 7 patients with osteoporotic fractures at the femoral neck, and 7 age-matched controls. Following elaborate quality control statistical analysis of this exploratory dataset identified 9 microRNAs with altered serum levels in response to fracture (adjusted p-value < 0.1). Of these, hsa-miR-10a/b gave excellent discrimination of both groups (AUC = 1.0), and clustering of samples based on the top10 miRNAs confirmed the high discriminatory power of circulating microRNAs for osteoporotic fractures. In the next step 3 miRNAs with unknown roles in osteogenic differentiation and 4 miRNA from a previous study were tested for their effects on osteogenic differentiation. Of these, 3 miRNAs showed robust effects on osteogenic differentiation. Overall, these data provide important insights into changes in serum miRNA in post-traumatic patients. Future studies will show, whether this knowledge can be used to improve current diagnostic methodologies to predict fracture risk and design novel treatment strategies for osteoporosis patients. Two groups with n=7 per group; one groups represents cases with osteoporotic fractures, the control group is age-matched without fractures

Project description:Osteoporosis is the consequence of altered bone metabolism resulting in the systemic reduction of bone strength and increased risk of fragility fractures. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression on a post-transcriptional level are known to take part in the control of bone formation and bone resorption. Recently, targeted secretion of miRNAs from cells originating from various tissues has been described, which allows for their minimal-invasive detection in serum/plasma and use as biomarkers for presence and progression of pathological conditions. One pilot study has reported circulating miRNAs in serum and tissue of fracture patients. However, further studies are required to explore whether a dysbalance in bone homeostasis of fracture patients can reliably be reflected by specific circulating miRNAs, and whether these miRNAs might serve as drugable targets. Here, we report results from a comprehensive multiplex study of 175 miRNAs in serum samples obtained from 7 patients with osteoporotic fractures at the femoral neck, and 7 age-matched controls. Following elaborate quality control statistical analysis of this exploratory dataset identified 9 microRNAs with altered serum levels in response to fracture (adjusted p-value < 0.1). Of these, hsa-miR-10a/b gave excellent discrimination of both groups (AUC = 1.0), and clustering of samples based on the top10 miRNAs confirmed the high discriminatory power of circulating microRNAs for osteoporotic fractures. In the next step 3 miRNAs with unknown roles in osteogenic differentiation and 4 miRNA from a previous study were tested for their effects on osteogenic differentiation. Of these, 3 miRNAs showed robust effects on osteogenic differentiation. Overall, these data provide important insights into changes in serum miRNA in post-traumatic patients. Future studies will show, whether this knowledge can be used to improve current diagnostic methodologies to predict fracture risk and design novel treatment strategies for osteoporosis patients.

Project description:Prior studies show vertebral strength from computed tomography-based finite element analysis may be associated with vertebral fracture risk. We found vertebral strength had a strong association with new vertebral fractures, suggesting that vertebral strength measures identify those at risk for vertebral fracture and may be a useful clinical tool.IntroductionWe aimed to determine the association between vertebral strength by quantitative computed tomography (CT)-based finite element analysis (FEA) and incident vertebral fracture (VF). In addition, we examined sensitivity and specificity of previously proposed diagnostic thresholds for fragile bone strength and low BMD in predicting VF.MethodsIn a case-control study, 26 incident VF cases (13 men, 13 women) and 62 age- and sex-matched controls aged 50 to 85 years were selected from the Framingham multi-detector computed tomography cohort. Vertebral compressive strength, integral vBMD, trabecular vBMD, CT-based BMC, and CT-based aBMD were measured from CT scans of the lumbar spine.ResultsLower vertebral strength at baseline was associated with an increased risk of new or worsening VF after adjusting for age, BMI, and prevalent VF status (odds ratio (OR) = 5.2 per 1 SD decrease, 95% CI 1.3-19.8). Area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve comparisons revealed that vertebral strength better predicted incident VF than CT-based aBMD (AUC = 0.804 vs. 0.715, p = 0.05) but was not better than integral vBMD (AUC = 0.815) or CT-based BMC (AUC = 0.794). Additionally, proposed fragile bone strength thresholds trended toward better sensitivity for identifying VF than that of aBMD-classified osteoporosis (0.46 vs. 0.23, p = 0.09).ConclusionThis study shows an association between vertebral strength measures and incident vertebral fracture in men and women. Though limited by a small sample size, our findings also suggest that bone strength estimates by CT-based FEA provide equivalent or better ability to predict incident vertebral fracture compared to CT-based aBMD. Our study confirms that CT-based estimates of vertebral strength from FEA are useful for identifying patients who are at high risk for vertebral fracture.

Dataset Information

Prediction of incident hip fracture with the estimated femoral strength by finite element analysis of DXA Scans in the study of osteoporotic fractures.

Publications

Prediction of incident hip fracture with the estimated femoral strength by finite element analysis of DXA Scans in the study of osteoporotic fractures.

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