Metabolic Bone Disorders Flashcards
Define Osteoporosis
Progressive disease caused by low bone mass and deterioration of microarchitecture of bone tissue
What is the most common complication of Osteoporosis?
Hip fractures at 87%
How is Osteoporosis classified?
Using the T-score. T-score is a number of SDs that a patient’s BMD is from
Normal T score >-1 Osteopoenia T score -1 to -2.5 Osteoporosis T score below -2.5 Established Osteoporosis T score
Name 9 risk factors of Osteoporosis
- Age
- Gender - 80% women
- Low BMI <19kg/m2
- Untreated premature menopause or male hypogonadism
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Corticosteroid use
- Conditions associated with prolonged immobility
- Family history of maternal hip fracture
What prevention advise can be given against Osteo?
Life style modification:
- Regular weight bearing - reduce risk of hip fx by 50%
- Stop smoking - reduce risk of hip fx by 25%
- Maintain adequate dietary levels of Calcium and Vit D
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Maintain BMI>19kg/m2
Level of Calcium/Vit D needed for regular intake?
700mg/day
Double the recommended = reduces rate of bone loss
What does DEXA scan stand for?
DEXA Scan - Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry
low energy X-rays penetrate less dense bone better
What are the treatment options of Osteoporosis? (6)
- Bisphosphonates (first line therapy). If contraindicated/not effective then…
- Calcitonin
- Hormone Replacement therapy only if <50yrs
- Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM) Raloxifene
- Stronium Ranelate
- Teriparatide
What is the mechanism of action of bisphosphonates
e.g. alendronic acid reduces vertebral, wrist and hip fractures by approx. 50%
Risedronate sodium
Enzyme-resistant analogues of pyrophosphate that inhibit bone resorption. Approx. 50% of dose accumulates at sites of bone mineralisation where they bind to bone minerals in bone matrix
Remain (months/years) until they are released and ingested by osteoclasts as they resorb the bone
Thus osteoclasts exposed to high concentrations
Simple bisphosphonates accumulate and cause apoptosis (etidronate)
Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (i.e. alendronic acid) also interfere with attachment of osteoclast to bone (formn of ruffled border)
What are the cautions and counselling points of Bisphosphonates?
All cause gastrointestinal side effects.
Patients should not take dose at bedtime and should stay upright for at least 30 mins after taking dose (oesophageal stricture)
Should avoid food before and after dose as food impairs absorption
Must be avoided in patients with renal impairment
Osteonecrosis of jaw has been reported following bisphosphonates (most commonly if given IV, rare with oral dose).
What drug class does Alendronic acid (alendronate) belong to?
bisphosphonate; nitrogen-containing, second generation
What is the mechanism of action of Alendronic acid?
Accumulates in bone and prevents bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclast attachment and survival
Indications and dose of alendronic acid? (3)
- post-menopausal osteoporosis (10mg daily or 70mg once weekly)
- osteoporosis in men (10mg daily)
- prevention and treatment of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis in post-menopausal women not taking HRT (10mg daily)
Counselling points for Alendronic acid? (3)
- Swallow tablets whole with plenty of water while sitting or standing.
- Take on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before breakfast (or another oral medicine)
- patient should stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes after taking tablet
Explain Hormone Replacement Therapy and who can use it
Oestrogens important in maintenance of bone integrity by inhibiting cytokines that recruit osteoclasts and opposing the bone resorbing Ca2+-mobilising role of PTH
Not first line, used in women with early natural or surgically induced menopause if other therapies don’t work.