How useful is dual energy lateral vertebral assessment in a clinic setting?

Screening for osteoporotic vertebral fractures traditionally involves X-ray of the thoracic and lumbar spine. We evaluated use of dual energy X-ray technology in patients with osteoporosis. We found this technology useful in the clinic setting and it has advantages in that less radiation is delivered to the patient.

A study of male patients with forearm fracture in Northern Ireland.

Osteoporosis, although considered less common, still occurs in men. We present a cross-sectional study of a group of Northern Ireland men with low-trauma forearm fractures to determine the presence of osteoporosis and screen for secondary causes of low bone mineral density. Male patients aged 30-75 years, presenting with distal forearm fracture in 2000-2001 in Northern Ireland, were identified through a Colles fracture database.

Healthy elderly individuals do not inevitably lose bone density and weight as they age.

There have been relatively few extended longitudinal studies of bone mineral density (BMD) and anthropometric characteristics in the elderly. We recorded baseline measurements (height, weight, body mass index (BMI)) and BMD in 292 relatively healthy individuals (mean age: 75 years females, 76 years males) who were followed up over 8 years. At baseline, a significant inverse relationship was noted between increasing age and BMD at the neck of femur in both sexes.

Upper gastrointestinal tract safety of risedronate: a pooled analysis of 9 clinical trials.

Risedronate sodium is a pyridinyl bisphosphonate effective for treatment and prevention of postmenopausal and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Some bisphosphonates have been associated with upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract adverse effects. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of upper GI tract adverse events associated with risedronate, especially among high-risk patients.