Vitamin D Levels in Elders
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Most older people had low serum levels, and at least 25% of elders had frank vitamin D deficiency.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 23, 2009
Covering:
Orwoll E et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2009 Apr; 94:1214
Kuchuk NO et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2009 Apr; 94:1244
Briefly Noted
Genetics of diversity in human pigmentation, risks for bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw, and a newly approved agent for head lice
One Bad Break Leads to Another
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Risk for hip fracture was six times higher during the first year after a proximal humeral fracture.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
April 9, 2009
Covering:
Clinton J et al., J Bone Joint Surg Am 2009 Mar 1; 91:503
Balloon Kyphoplasty for Spinal Compression Fracture
General Medicine Summary and Comment
At 1 month, kyphoplasty patients had significantly greater improvements in global quality of life, back pain, and function than did controls.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
April 7, 2009
Covering:
Wardlaw D et al., Lancet 2009 Mar 21; 373:1016
Kallmes DF and Jarvik JG., Lancet 2009 Mar 21; 373:982
Diagnosing Diabetic Osteomyelitis: Needle Puncture vs. Bone Biopsy
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Needle puncture was easier to perform but did not reliably identify bone bacteria.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
March 25, 2009
Covering:
Senneville E et al., Clin Infect Dis 2009 Apr 1; 48:888
Osteoporosis: Another Risk for Patients with Psoriasis?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
In men, psoriasis was significantly associated with an increased risk for decreased bone-mineral density.
Vitamin D — It’s Not Just for Bones
Higher vitamin D levels correlated with better muscle power and force in adolescent girls.
Fracture Incidence Climbed After Publication of WHI Data
Women's Health Summary and Comment
From 2000 through 2005, fracture incidence rose among postmenopausal women whereas HT use fell.
Assessing Fracture Risk Might Be as Easy as Asking About Balance
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Results of a twin study support the value of self-reported balance problems for predicting fracture risk.
Imaging Does Not Alter Outcomes in Acute Low Back Pain
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis provides more reason to curb routine lumbar imaging.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
February 17, 2009
Covering:
Chou R et al., Lancet 2009 Feb 7; 373:463
Kochen MM et al., Lancet 2009 Feb 7; 373:436
Do Loop Diuretics Increase the Risk for Fractures in Postmenopausal Women?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Findings from the Women’s Health Initiative suggest that they don’t, but many questions remain.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
February 11, 2009
Covering:
Carbone LD et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jan 26; 169:132
Mortality Risk Following Osteoporotic Fracture
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Elevated risk was associated with even minor fractures and, with hip fractures, persisted for at least 10 years.
Rosiglitazone, Pioglitazone, and Fractures: A Meta-Analysis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Combined data from 10 trials show that rosiglitazone and pioglitazone confer significant risk for fractures.
New Approach to Prevention of Osteoporotic Fractures
Clinical calculators can help clinicians determine when patients should start receiving osteoporosis therapy.
Falls After Age 90: Inability to Get Up and Prolonged Time on Floor Portend Poor Outcomes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Many elders with access to alarm systems did not use them.
Calcium Supplementation in Healthy Nonosteoporotic Men
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Calcium supplementation is not just for women.
A Broken Wrist Might Not Mean Fragile Bones
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Women who sustained wrist fractures had elevated risk for recurrent fractures, but the risk was less than that associated with other fragility fractures.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
December 11, 2008
Covering:
Hodsman AB et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 Nov 10; 168:2261
Long-Term Growth and Bone Mineralization in Preterm Children
Low bone mineralization persists up to age 9 years in children who were born preterm with low birth weight.
Predictors of Bone Loss in HIV-Infected Patients
Tenofovir and ddI use were each associated with accelerated loss of bone mineral density over time; weight training was protective against loss.
By Paul E. Sax, MD
November 10, 2008
Covering:
Jacobson DL et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2008 Nov; 49:298
Monitor Bone Density Carefully After Bariatric Surgery
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
BMD and serum calcium levels dropped following bariatric surgery in morbidly obese men and women.
By Ann J. Davis, MD
October 30, 2008
Covering:
Fleischer J et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008 Oct; 93:3735
Zoledronic Acid for Preventing Bone Loss in Young Breast Cancer Patients
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Intravenous bisphosphonate prevented loss of BMD associated with chemotherapy.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
October 23, 2008
Covering:
Hershman DL et al., J Clin Oncol 2008 Oct 10; 26:4739
Change in Bone and Joint Disease E-mail Alert
General Medicine Letter to Readers
Free
Dear Readers,
By Alberta Fitzpatrick, Publisher, Journal Watch
October 9, 2008
Proton-Pump Inhibitors and Osteoporosis-Related Fracture
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Use of PPI therapy for 7 years or longer is associated with excess risk for osteoporosis-related fractures.
Maintaining Bone Mass in Premenopausal Breast Cancer Patients: How Effective Is Zoledronic Acid?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
IV bisphosphonate provided long-term protection against BMD loss in premenopausal women receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy.
Meniscal Damage on Knee MRI in the General Population
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Only about one third of people with meniscal damage reported knee pain, aching, or stiffness.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 18, 2008
Covering:
Englund M et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Sep 11; 359:1108
