Objective The purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlation between serum testosterone levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Materials and methods The study group was made up of postmenopausal women admitted to our tertiary center. Serum calcium, phosphorus, albumin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), thyrotropin (TSH), 25-OH vitamin D, and total testosterone concentrations were measured. Subjects were categorized into three groups regarding bone mineral density (BMD) values: normal (n = 22), osteopenia (n = 21), and […]

Objective Analyze the influence of sarcopenia in bone health of elderly men. Subjects and methods This cross-sectional study evaluated 198 men aged over 60 years. Body composition was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The BMD was measured at the femoral neck, total hip, lumbar spine and 33% radius. The diagnosis of abnormal BMD was defined for men who presented densitometric diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis defined by T-score of femoral neck, total hip and lumbar spine. The pre-sarcopenia and […]

Until recently obesity was believed to be protective against fractures. However, a report from a Fracture Liaison Clinic in the UK (2010) reported a surprisingly high proportion of obese postmenopausal women attending the clinic with fractures, and in the GLOW study (2011), a similar prevalence and incidence of fractures in obese and non-obese postmenopausal women was observed. Subsequently, other studies have demonstrated the importance of obesity in the epidemiology of fractures. Obese women are at increased risk of fracture in […]

Objective The objective is to present an update on the diagnosis and treatment of hypovitaminosis D, based on the most recent scientific evidence. Materials and methods The Department of Bone and Mineral Metabolism of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabology (SBEM) was invited to generate a document following the rules of the Brazilian Medical Association (AMB) Guidelines Program. Data search was performed using PubMed, Lilacs and SciELO and the evidence was classified in recommendation levels, according to the scientific […]

Osteoporotic fractures impose severe physical, psychosocial, and financial burden both to the patient and the society. Studies on the prevalence of osteoporosis and fragility fractures in Brazil show a wide variation, due to differences in sample size, the population studied, and methodologies. Few studies have been conducted in Brazil about the cost-effectiveness analyses of different intervention options aimed at the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. Investigation and treatment strategies based on cost-effectiveness and scientific evidence are essential in the preparation […]

Differently from most hormones, which commonly are specialized molecules able to influence other cells, tissues and systems, thyroid hormones (TH) are pleiotropic peptides, whose primordial function is difficult to identify. The complex action of TH on human economy can be easily witnessed by examining the diverse consequences of TH excess and deficiency during development and after maturity. In particular, different manifestations in bone modeling and remodeling reflect the circumstantial consequences of thyroid disturbances, which are age dependent. While hyperthyroidism during […]

Organ transplantation is the gold standard therapy for several end-stage diseases. Bone loss is a common complication that occurs in transplant recipients. Osteoporosis and fragility fractures are serious complication, mainly in the first year post transplantation. Many factors contribute to the pathogenesis of bone disease following organ transplantation. This review address the mechanisms of bone loss including the contribution of the immunosuppressive agents as well as the specific features to bone loss after kidney, lung, liver, cardiac and bone marrow […]

The trabecular bone score (TBS) is a new method to describe skeletal microarchitecture from the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) image of the lumbar spine. While TBS is not a direct physical measurement of trabecular microarchitecture, it correlates with micro-computed tomography (µCT) measures of bone volume fraction, connectivity density, trabecular number, and trabecular separation, and with vertebral mechanical behavior in ex vivo studies. In human subjects, TBS has been shown to be associated with trabecular microarchitecture and bone strength by […]

Several factors are involved in determining bone quality including bone density, bone turnover, the extent of trabecular bone connectivity, cortical porosity and geometry. Metabolically active and in a continuous process of remodeling, approximately 20% of bone tissue is renewed annually. Bone turn over markers (BTM) are frequently used in clinical trials and to provide valid information about the effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment, reflecting the state of bone metabolism and its response to treatment, although they are not useful alone to […]

Physical exercise is an important stimulus for osteoporosis prevention and treatment. However, it is not clear yet which modality would be better to stimulate bone metabolism and enhance physical function of postmenopausal women. This review paper aims to summarize and update present knowledge on the effects of different kinds of aquatic and ground physical exercises on bone metabolism and physical function of postmenopausal women. Moderate to intense exercises, performed in a high speed during short intervals of time, in water […]

Aging is associated with decreases in bone quality and in glomerular filtration. Consequently, osteoporosis and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are common comorbid conditions in the elderly, and often coexist. Biochemical abnormalities in the homeostasis of calcium and phosphorus begin early in CKD, leading to an increase in fracture risk and cardiovascular complications since early stages of the disease. The ability of DXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) to diagnose osteoporosis and to predict fractures in this population remains unclear. The management […]

Objectives To evaluate the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration in Brazilian osteoporotic patients and the modifiable factors of vitamin D status in this population. Subjects and methods In a cross-sectional study, 363 community-dwelling patients who sought specialized medical care were evaluated between autumn and spring in São Paulo, Brazil. Serum levels of 25(OH)D and parathormone (PTH), biochemical and anthropometric measurements, and bone density scans were obtained. The group was assessed using two questionnaires: one questionnaire covered lifestyle and dietary habits, […]