Publications by authors named "Blandine Merle"

This study explores FD/MAS patient's perceptions about their disease and its impact on their quality of life. We have evaluated quality of life (QoL) in French Fibrous Dysplasia/MacCune-Albright Syndrome (FD/MAS) patients using a qualitative approach with focus groups to explore perceptions, symptoms and limitations associated with FD/MAS and a quantitative method with the Short Form-36 (SF36) to quantify QoL. Focus groups revealed the heterogeneity of FD forms and allowed for understanding the reasons of reduced QoL.

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Article Synopsis
  • Identifying individuals at risk for short-term fractures is critical, as many fractures happen in those without osteoporosis, and researchers studied bone microarchitecture's role in predicting these risks.
  • In a study of over 7,000 participants, they found measures of radius and tibia bone microarchitecture were significant predictors of 2-year fracture risk, even when factoring in traditional assessments like DXA-BMD and FRAX.
  • The results indicated that decreases in certain bone measures significantly increased fracture risk in both men and women, suggesting that HR-pQCT could enhance current methods for assessing fracture risk in older adults.
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Objectives: To identify circulating micro-RNAs differentially expressed in patients with erosive hand osteoarthritis (HOA) compared to patients with non-erosive HOA and patients without HOA.

Methods: In the screening phase, 768 well-characterized micro-RNAs using Taqman low-density array cards were measured in 30 sera from 10 patients with erosive HOA, 10 patients with non-erosive HOA, and 10 controls without HOA, matched for age and body mass index (BMI). In a second step, we validated the micro-RNAs identified at the screening phase (adjusted p value < 0.

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  • * Researchers analyzed data from 6,835 individuals aged 40 to 96, identifying a significant number of fractures and finding consistent associations between HR-pQCT bone measures and fracture risk across all age groups.
  • * The results indicate that low bone density is a persistent factor for fracture risk regardless of age, suggesting that the lower fracture risk observed in older adults with lower aBMD might arise from limitations in the DXA method rather than actual differences in bone health.
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Age-related sarcopenia, resulting from a gradual loss in skeletal muscle mass and strength, is pivotal to the increased prevalence of functional limitation among the older adult community. The purpose of this meta-analysis of individual patient data is to investigate the difference in health-related quality of life between sarcopenic individuals and those without the condition using the Sarcopenia Quality of Life (SarQoL) questionnaire. A protocol was published on PROSPERO.

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Purpose: Bone fragility in sickle cell disease (SCD) has been previously reported even in young patients, but the clinical consequences and specific management remain unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of bone fragility in sickle cell patients and to evaluate the potential risk factors and associated complications.

Methods: We conducted a single-center cross-sectional study.

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As epigenetic regulators of gene expression, circulating micro-RiboNucleic Acids (miRNAs) have been described in several bone diseases as potential prognostic markers. The aim of our study was to identify circulating miRNAs potentially associated with the severity of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) in three steps. We have screened by RNA sequencing for the miRNAs that were differentially expressed in sera of a small group of OI patients versus controls and then conducted a validation phase by RT-qPCR analysis of sera of a larger patient population.

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Most fracture risk assessment tools use clinical risk factors combined with bone mineral density (BMD) to improve assessment of osteoporosis; however, stratifying fracture risk remains challenging. This study developed a fracture risk assessment tool that uses information about volumetric bone density and three-dimensional structure, obtained using high-resolution peripheral quantitative compute tomography (HR-pQCT), to provide an alternative approach for patient-specific assessment of fracture risk. Using an international prospective cohort of older adults (n = 6802) we developed a tool to predict osteoporotic fracture risk, called μFRAC.

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To evaluate the prevalence of probable, confirmed, and severe sarcopenia in spondyloarthritis (SpA), according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2019 (EWGSOP2) definition. A total of 103 patients (51% women) with SpA, mean age 47.1 ± 13.

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Prevalence of osteoporosis is more than 50% in older adults, yet current clinical methods for diagnosis that rely on areal bone mineral density (aBMD) fail to detect most individuals who have a fragility fracture. Bone fragility can manifest in different forms, and a "one-size-fits-all" approach to diagnosis and management of osteoporosis may not be suitable. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) provides additive information by capturing information about volumetric density and microarchitecture, but interpretation is challenging because of the complex interactions between the numerous properties measured.

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The worldwide global increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) measurements has led some countries to restrict reimbursement for certain clinical situations only. Another approach could consist in providing physicians with screening tools in order to better target blood test prescription. The objective of the SCOPYD study was to identify the best combination of predictors of serum VitD concentration among adults aged 18-70 years.

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Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare bone disease caused by activating mutations of GNAS encoding the Gsα protein, enhancing cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production by overstimulation of adenylyl cyclase and impairing osteoblastic differentiation. The clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic to polyostotic forms with severe disability, explained by the mosaic distribution of the GNAS mutation. Physicians have to deal with the gap of knowledge in FD pathogenesis, the absence of prognostic markers and the lack of specific treatment.

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Unlabelled: We show the value of genetic screening in 3 adults with limited phenotypes of three bone sclerosing genetic disease (GD): osteopetrosis (OPT), Camurati-Engelmann disease (CED) and pycnodysostosis.

Introduction: OPT, CED and pycnodysostosis are three rare bone diseases often diagnosed in childhood. However, some atypical phenotypes raise the problem of delayed diagnosis in adults.

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Background: Osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment remain suboptimal.

Objectives: We conducted a qualitative study to understand barriers towards care initiation and levers to improve awareness and management of osteoporosis among general practitioners (GPs).

Methods: Semi-structured face-to face interviews were conducted with 16 GPs in the Rhône area of France to explore their knowledge and representations regarding osteoporosis.

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Background: Although areal bone mineral density (aBMD) assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the clinical standard for determining fracture risk, most older adults who sustain a fracture have T scores greater than -2·5 and thus do not meet the clinical criteria for osteoporosis. Importantly, bone fragility is due to low BMD and deterioration in bone structure. We assessed whether indices of high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT) were associated with fracture risk independently of femoral neck aBMD and the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) score.

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Unlabelled: The diagnostic performance of densitometry is inadequate. New techniques of non-invasive evaluation of bone quality may improve fracture risk prediction. Testing the value of these techniques is the goal of the QUALYOR cohort.

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Periostin (Postn) and transforming growth factor β-induced protein (TGFβIp) are two closely related extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins predominantly distributed in collagen-rich connective tissues submitted to mechanical strain, including bone and more specifically the periosteum. We have investigated the expression of Postn and TGFβIp mRNA by primary osteoblasts isolated from mouse periosteum and calvaria, or by the osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cell line, and by osteoclasts from mouse long bones differentiated in vitro. Secretion of Postn was measured with a specific ELISA.

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Type I collagen, the major organic component of bone matrix, undergoes a series of post-translational modifications that occur with aging, such as the non-enzymatic glycation. This spontaneous reaction leads to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which accumulate in bone tissue and affect its structural and mechanical properties. We have investigated the role of matrix AGEs on bone resorption mediated by mature osteoclasts and the effects of exogenous AGEs on osteoclastogenesis.

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We previously identified functional N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors in mature osteoclasts and demonstrated that they are involved in bone resorption in vitro. In the present work, we studied the expression of NMDA receptors (NMDAR) by osteoclast precursors and their role in osteoclastogenesis using two in vitro models, the murine myelomonocytic RAW 264.7 cell line and mouse bone marrow cells, both of which differentiate into osteoclasts in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and Rank ligand (RankL).

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