High prevalence and correlates of osteoporosis in men aged 50 years and over: A nationwide osteoporosis survey in Taiwan.

Aims: Osteoporosis is one of the consequences of aging, and it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated; this study aimed to present the characteristics and prevalence of osteoporosis in elderly men by conducting a nationwide survey in Taiwan.

Methods: The participants were enrolled between 2008 and 2011, and bone mineral density (BMD) was measured via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for the hip (total), lumbar spine (L1-4), and femoral neck (FN). Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, female patients, and those using steroids were excluded.

Anti-CCP-positive patients with RA have a higher 10-year probability of fracture evaluated by FRAX®: a registry study of RA with osteoporosis/fracture.

Background: Positive anticyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP+) is associated with bone loss in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, whether overall positivity or specific levels of anti-CCP are associated with prevalent fracture or a 10-year probability of fracture remains unclear.

Methods: This interim analysis of an RA registry was conducted at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Kaohsiung (CGMHK) for RA-related osteoporosis/fracture.

Generalized estimating equation model to compare drug effects on synovitis of the dominant wrist in severe rheumatoid arthritis between tocilizumab versus adalimumab versus abatacept using high-resolution ultrasound.

Purpose: The use of biological agents has revolutionized the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, details of serial synovial changes in imaging evaluation are unclear. Using power Doppler (PD) ultrasound, this study aimed to evaluate the comparative efficacy of biologicals for patients with refractory RA, with the hope that these findings could aid in clinical decision making.

Predictor of Hand Radiological Progression in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Receiving TNF Antagonist Therapy by Change in Grayscale Synovitis-A Preliminary Study.

Objectives: This prospective study aimed to compare synovial ultrasound scores to conventional measures (DAS28, CRP levels) in predicting radiographic progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis under TNF antagonist therapy.

Methods: Patients with RA who received TNF antagonist therapy were enrolled, all of whom underwent clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic assessments with grayscale and power Doppler assessments of bilateral elbows (anterior and posterior recess), wrists (dorsal, palmar, and ulnar aspects), second and third MCP joints (dorsal and palmar recess), and PIP II and III (dorsal and palmar) at baseline and at 1, 3 months. Hand radiographic damage was evaluated using van der Heijde modified Total Sharp Score (TSS) at baseline and 12 months.

Beyond bone mineral density, FRAX-based tailor-made intervention thresholds for therapeutic decision in subjects on glucocorticoid: A nationwide osteoporosis survey.

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is the most common cause of secondary osteoporosis and confers a substantial risk for future fractures. Several recent guidelines for GIOP management have recommended the use of intervention thresholds to direct pharmacological therapy in those at high risk of fracture. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of subjects on a glucocorticoid (GC) and to implement the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX)-based intervention threshold for therapeutic decision-making.

Is raloxifene associated with lower risk of mortality in postmenopausal women with vertebral fractures after vertebroplasty?: a hospital-based analysis.

Background: Osteoporotic fractures are associated with mortality in postmenopausal woman. Whether raloxifen treatment after vertebroplasty can reduce mortality is unclear in this group. To compare the effect of raloxifene and no osteoporosis treatment on the risk of mortality after vertebroplasty, we designed this study.

Development and Validation of an Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Taiwan (OSTAi) Postmenopausal Women-A Sub-Study of the Taiwan OsteoPorosis Survey (TOPS).

Background: To develop an OSTAi tool and compare this with the National Osteoporosis Foundation recommendations in 2013 (NOF 2013) for bone mineral density (BMD) testing among Taiwan postmenopausal women.

Methods: Taiwan Osteoporosis Association (TOA) conducted a nationwide BMD survey by a bus installed with a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) between 2008 and 2011. All of the participants completed questionnaire, which included demographics and risk factors of osteoporotic fracture in FRAX tool.

Can antiosteoporotic therapy reduce mortality in MRI-proved acute osteoporotic vertebral fractures?

Patients with MRI-proved acute painful vertebral fractures in whom conservative pain management fails are frequently referred for vertebroplasty. This study investigated the effects of treating osteoporosis on the mortality rate of patients with MRI-proved acute osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures who had undergone vertebroplasty. We retrospectively reviewed the cases of osteoporosis patients with MRI-proved acute vertebral fractures who had been treated with vertebroplasty from January 2001 to December 2007.

The impact of comorbidity on survival after hemorrhagic stroke among dialysis patients: a nationwide population-based study.

Background: This study was aimed at determining the outcome and examining the association between comorbidities and mortality after intracerebral hemorrhage in chronic dialysis patients.

Methods: We used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database and enrolled patients who underwent maintenance dialysis between 2000 and 2007. Annual incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage in patients receiving dialysis from 2000 to 2007 was determined.