Lecture 8: Osteoporosis Flashcards
What is osteoporosis?
- Low bone mass
- Microarchitectural disruption
- Skeletal fragility
Decreased bone quality or quantity.
When does osteoporosis affect women usually?
Starting around age 50
What are the 3 primary bone cells?
- Osteocytes
- Osteoblasts (B for builders)
- Osteoclasts (C for cut calcium)
What hormone is the primary mediator of calcium utilizing osteoclasts?
PTH
What exactly does estrogen do for bones?
Inhibition of osteoclasts
Where is trabeculae found?
- End of long bones
- Vertebrae
- Pelvis
- SKull
Also known as cancellous bone
When are the two general times to have osteoporosis?
- Postmenopausal (loss of bone mass)
- Adolescence (poor acquisition)
Primary cause of osteoporosis
Old age
RFs for Primary osteoporosis
- Caucasian/white
- Smoking
- Malnutrition (vit D/calcium)
- Decreased physical activity
RFs for secondary osteoporosis (drugs)
- Steroids
- VPA
- Heparin
- Depo-Provera
- Aromatase Inhibitors
- Cyclosporine
- Antacids
- Lithium
- Methotrexate
How much is chronic steroid use?
> 5mg Prednisone QD or equivalent for > 3 months
RFs for secondary osteoporosis (Diseases)
- Hyper PTH
- Hyperthyroidism
- Liver dz/alcoholics
- CKD
- Hypogonadism
- Cushings
- Malignancy
- Diabetes
- Immobility caused by dz
What could be a S/S of osteoporosis?
- Pathologic fx (compression vertebrae, hip, distal radius: colle’s)
- Loss of vertebral ht > 1.5 cm (upper L/T, shortening, kyphosis)
- Back pain w or w/o fx
Most back pain is NOT osteoporosis!
What are the USPSTF recommendations for osteoporosis screening?
- 65+ females
- High risk females under 65
Males is an I for insufficient, but everyone else says screen over 70.
Both are B
What T score corresponds to osteoporosis?
T < -2.5
Always use worst score to diagnose
What T score corresponds to osteopenia?
-2.4 < T < -1.0
What are DEXA T-scores compared to?
A 30 year old
What do DEXA Z-scores compare to?
Peer of equal age and gender
Not used for osteoporosis diagnosis
What does a significantly low Z-score suggest?
Concerning for secondary osteoporosis
Normal aging would have a minimal Z-score.
What is the other way to diagnose osteoporosis without a DEXA scan?
Fragility fx
If occurs with mild trauma