Electromagnetic Induction for Treatment of Unspecific Back Pain: A Prospective Randomized Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of high-energy pulsed electromagnetic fields on unspecific back pain.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial with repeated measurements was performed. The study included 5 visits (V0 to V4) with 3 interventions during V1, V2 and V3.

[Hypoparathyroidism - un underestimated problem?].

Background: Hypoparathyroidism is a rare and disabilitating disorder characterized by hypocalcemia and low parathyroid hormone levels. Most of the cases occur as a result of the removal of parathyroid glands or damage to the glands during neck surgery. More rare causes include nonsurgical causes such as autoimmune or genetic diseases.

Specific Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers in Postmenopausal Women-A Randomized Controlled Study.

Investigations in rodents as well as in vitro experiments have suggested an anabolic influence of specific collagen peptides (SCP) on bone formation and bone mineral density (BMD). The goal of the study was to investigate the effect of 12-month daily oral administration of 5 g SCP vs. placebo (CG: control group) on BMD in postmenopausal women with primary, age-related reduction in BMD.

Evaluation of an Automated Competitive Protein-Binding Assay for 25-Hydroxyvitamin D.

Background: The measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D is of increasing importance in the management of patients with mineral disorders. However, there are a great variety of test results for 25-hyroxyvitamin D depending on the method used. In this report a new automated method provided by Roche diagnostics (Elecsys Vitamin D Total assay) and the previously marketed method are compared to a reference method (Immundiagnostik ELISA).

Diagnosis of disorders of vitamin D-metabolism and osteomalacia.

Vitamin D deficiency is very common in Germany because the synthesis of Vitamin D in the skin depends on exposure to radiation from sunlight (ultraviolet light type B). In Central Europe, vitamin D synthesis in skin is significantly diminished during the 6-month winter period. Whereas a slight lack of vitamin D (vitamin D insufficiency) results in osteoporosis (decrease in bone mass), a major lack of vitamin D (vitamin D deficiency) leads to osteomalacia, a mineralization defect of the bone.

[Vitamin D deficiency: diagnosis and treatment].

Vitamin D deficiency has a major effect on various chronic diseases. In view of this, even a mild deficiency should be considered a reason for initiating supplementation. Apart from such clinical signs as muscular and skeletal complaints, determination of calcium in the urine and serum, together with the measured laboratory values of phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxy vitamin D and parathormone form the basis for the diagnosis.

Alfacalcidol versus plain vitamin D in inflammation induced bone loss.

Inflammatory diseases lead to systemic osteoporosis. Causal factors include increased circulating concentrations of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), glucocorticoid medication, and reduced physical activity. In addition, disturbances of vitamin D metabolism play an important role for the development of inflammation induced osteoporosis.