Bone Health and Osteoporosis Flashcards
Definition of osteoporosis?
Progressive systemic skeletal disease characterised by low bone mass and micro-architectural bone tissue deterioration
There is a consequent increase in bone fragility and fracture susceptibility
Common fracture sites in the skeleton?
- Neck of femur (incidence rises dramatically when >70)
- Vertebral body
- Distal radius (most frequent up to the age of 70)
- Humeral neck
Morbidity and mortality assoc. with hip fractures?
1/2 of patients lose independence
1/5 die within a year of their fracture
Occurrence of osteoporotic fractures in women?
Majority of hip fractures occur in women >75 years
Reason for women suffering more osteoporotic fractures?
Women have lower peak bone mass
AND
Accelerated loss of bone during the menopause
AND
Increased longevity
Presentation of vertebral fractures?
Many present “silently” (with no symptoms)
Describe the domino fracture effect
A vertebral fracture increases the risk of kyphosis
Also, if a patient has had 1 fracture, they have an increased risk of another fracture
Describe the domino fracture effect
A vertebral fracture increases the risk of kyphosis
Also, if a patient has had 1 fracture, they have an increased risk of another fracture
Where does remodelling of bone occur?
Bone undergoes a continual remodelling cycle at distinct sites (BONE REMODELLING UNITS)
Purpose of bone remodelling?
10% of the adult skeleton is remodelled every year, which contributes to:
• Calcium homeostasis
• Skeletal repair
Process of bone remodelling?
Beginning of cycle:
• Osteoclasts appear on a previously inactive surface and begin to resorb bone
They are then replaced with osteoblasts that fill the cavity, by laying down OSTEOID; this is MINERALISED, to form new bone
Main problem with bone remodelling in osteoporosis?
There is a relative or absolute increase in resorption over formation; this leads to increased bone loss
Structure when osteoporotic bone loss occurs?
Osteoporotic bone has:
• Loss of bone
• Large spaces
• Breaks in the microscopic architecture (overall weakened bone that fractures easily)
Regulation factors of peak bone mass?
- Genetics (most important factor)
- Body weight (part. being underweight)
- Sex hormones (oestrogen; post-menopause acceleration of bone loss)
- Diet
- Exercise
Regulating factors of bone loss?
- Sex hormone deficiency
- Body weight
- Genetics
- Diet
- Immobility
- Diseases
- Drugs, e.g: steroids, aromatase inhibitors
Age at which peak bone mass is reached?
Bone mass increases in men and women until a peak is attained, at ~30 years
This is the consolidated and maintained until the patient reaches 40
Age at which bone mass starts to decrease?
In both sexes, slow rate of bone loss starts at 40 years; but, in post-menopausal women, there is accelerated bone loss
Which patients with are targeted with therapeutic intervention?
At those with high risk of low impact fracture
Non-modifiable clinical risk factors for fragility fracture?
Age, gender and ethnicity
Previous fracture
FH
Early menopause (≤ 45 years)
Modifiable clinical risk factors for fragility fracture?
BMD (bone mineral density)
Alcohol and smoking
Weight
Physical inactivity
Other clinical risk factors for fragility fracture?
Co-morbidities
Pharmacological risk factors
Use of the WHO fracture risk calculator (FRAX)?
Allows calculation of absolute risk, by incorporating additional risk factors (rather than just BMD)
It produces a prediction of the 10 year risk of major osteoporotic fracture or hip fracture
Advantages of FRAX?
Freely available (internet)
Calculates 10 year absolute risk of hip or major osteoporotic fracture
Can be used with or without BMD
Questions asked in FRAX)
- Age
- Gender
- BMI
- Previous fracture
- Smoking
- Alcohol ≥3 u/d
- Steroids
- RA, diabetes, OI, untreated hyperthyroidism, hypogonadism, premature menopause, malnutrition, malabsorption, chronic liver disease
Disadvantages of FRAX?
Underestimates vertebral fracture risk
Same level of risk assigned to all secondary causes
Dichotomised variables smoking/alcohol
Advantages of Qfracture?
Freely available (internet)
More variables included, e.g: dementia, PD, medications
Hx of falls or resident in nursing homes
Smoking and alcohol can be given in quantities
Can use variable time for absolute risk
Advantages of Qfracture?
Does not inc. BMD, when available
Who should have risk factor assessment?
Anyone >age 50 with risk factors
Anyone <50 years with very strong clinical risk factors:
• Early menopause
• Glucocorticoids
When should a patient be referred for a DEXA scan?
Any patient with a 10 year risk assessment of at least 10%, for any osteoporotic fracture
How is bone density assessed?
Bone mineral density predicts fracture risk INDEPENDENT of any other risk factors
DEXA scan are usually used to measure BMD