Background
Pathophysiology
- Reduced mass of structurally normal bone.
- Involves trabecular bone loss and cortical thinning.
- Primary (age-related) or secondary to disease or drugs.
- Actually reduces the risk of osteoarthritis.
- Osteopenia is a milder form.
Epidemiology
- 1 in 3 women.
- 1 in 5 men.
Signs and symptoms
- Fractures resulting from a low energy mechanism of injury that should not have cause a fracture in a healthy bone.
- In addition to osteoporosis, they may suggest underlying tumour (mets or a primary), or Paget's disease.
- Common sites: spine (vertebrae), hip (proximal femur), and wrist (distal radius). May also occur in arm (humerus), pelvis, or ribs.
Vertebral fractures:
- Aka vertebral collapse, compression fracture.
- Often affects multiple vertebrae.
- Leads to back pain and height reduction.
- Causes thoracic kyphosis, leading to SOB, abdominal bulging due to loss of space under ribs, and neck pain.
- Neurological complications: radiculopathy, cauda equina syndrome.
Risk factors
- Commonest in postmenopausal women.
Secondary osteoporosis, SHATTERED:
- Steroids
- Hyperthyroidism
- Alcohol and smoking.
- Thin (BMI<22).
- Testosterone deficient.
- Early menopause.
- Renal or liver failure.
- Erosive or inflammatory bone disease e.g. RA, ank spond.
- Dietary Ca2+ deficient. May occur in coeliac disease.
Investigations
- Osteoporosis is ≤-2.5 standard deviations (SD) from mean. T-score used for most, which are SDs from a 30 year old sex-matched mean. Z-score used if pre-menopausal, which is an age-matched SD.
- A fragility fracture makes the diagnosis 'established' or 'severe'.
- Osteopenia is a T-score of -1 to -2.5.
- Indications to perform scan: patients with risk factors or patients with fragility fracture. However, in postmenopausal women with a fragility fracture (especially if age >75), diagnosis can be made and treatment started without DEXA.
X-ray:
- ↓Density, cortical thinning.
- Low sensitivity and specificity, but often where the disease is first detected after a fracture.
Bloods to assess for underlying causes:
- FBC and ESR/CRP for inflammatory disease.
- Bone profile: Ca2+, alk phos, PO43-, albumin.
- U+E, LFT.
- Metabolic: TFT, PTH, vitamin D.
- Others: anti-tTG IgA (coeliac), paraproteins (myeloma), testosterone.
Risk stratification:
- FRAX score: gives 10 year fracture risk in patients age 40-90 years.
- QFracture is an alternative.
- Treat if above thresholds.
Management
- Stop smoking.
- Reduce alcohol.
- Weight-bearing and balance exercises.
- Ca2+ + vitamin D supplement.
- Home adjustment to reduce fall risk.
Medical:
- 1st and 2nd line: bisphosphonates.
- 3rd line: strontium, denosumab, raloxifene, HRT.
Surgical:
- Screws or hemiarthroplasty for proximal femoral fracture.
Steroid patients:
- All patients aged >70 who are on regular steroids should receive bisphosphonates.
- If younger, do DEXA every few years.
Bisphosphonates
Drugs
- Alendronate is 1st line.
- Risedronate
- Zoledronate
Mechanism
- ↑Osteoclast apoptosis, thus reducing bone breakdown.
Side effects
- GI inflammation causing pain, dyspepsia, and/or ulceration.
- Photosensitivity
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw.
- Teratogenicity
Management
- Most are taken weekly. Zoledronate can also be given as an annual IM injection.
- Take on an empty stomach with a lot of water. Stay upright for 30 mins after ingestion.
- Take vitamin D + Ca2+ 2 hours before or 4 hours after.
Baby check at birth and 6 weeks Check notes and get equipment ready: Measuring tape. Ophthalmoscope Sats probe. In notes, look at full details of pregnancy and birth, including Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes. Observation: Colour: pink/red, pale, jaundiced. Any rash? Erythema toxicum is a self-limiting rash of red papules and vesicles, surrounded by red blotches which sometimes give a halo appearance. Usually occurs between 2 days and 2 weeks. Behaviour and mood. Movements. Face: dysmorphism? Head: Feel fontanelle (bulging? sunken?) and sutures. Note that posterior fontanelle closes at 1-2 months, and anterior at 7-19 months. Measure circumference at widest point; take the highest of 3 measurements. Looking for hydrocephalus and microcephaly. Eyes: check red reflex with ophthalmoscope. Feel inside top of mouth with little finger for cleft palate. Also gives you the sucking reflex. Inspect ears to see if they are low-set (below eye level), have any tags or lumps, and check behind the
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