Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine. Osteoporosis can be a complication of AS and associated with low bone mineral density. As well, spinal fractures in the AS are usually unstable and may cause neurologic deficit at the mainly cervical region with low energy trauma. However, reports of lumbar compression fracture in AS are very rare. Thus, we report a 73-year-old male patient with osteoporotic L3 compression fracture with AS treated with kyphoplasty which has no symptom improvement with conservative treatment. Kyphoplasty is a useful procedure option in the treatment of the lumbar compression fracture in AS.
Bone Density ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Kyphoplasty ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Spinal Fractures ; Spine ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to investigate the trends in domestic publications on bone metabolism during the last decade, and to document the characteristics of articles in South Korea. METHODS: Articles on bone metabolism including osteoporosis published between 1998 and 2012 were evaluated, in terms of title, type of articles, subspecialty, and authors' affiliations. We used descriptive statistics for presenting the characteristics of domestic publication on bone metabolism. RESULTS: Total of 247 articles, published articles between 1998 and 2012, were reviewed. Over a total study period of 14 years, the number of articles which was initially 109 in the first half term increased to 247 during the period of second half. Of these 247 articles, 52 were on basic research, and 195 were on clinical research. Although the types of article were added in the later 7 years were much diverse than that of the earlier 7 years, the proportion of original articles has decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings presented the characteristics and trends of domestic publication on bone metabolism in South Korea, and concerns for editorial boards in future.
Osteoporosis ; Publications ; Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND: Bisphosphonate is used in osteoporosis treatment to repress osteoclast activity, which then decreases levels of osteocalcin (OC). OC, a protein secreted by osteoblasts and released from the bone matrix during osteoclastic bone resorption, has been found to control blood glucose levels by increasing insulin production and sensitivity. The question addressed in this study is whether decreasing OC through bisphosphonate treatment will provoke a change in glucose homeostasis. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with osteoporosis were treated with once-weekly risedronate 35 mg and cholecalciferol 5,600 IU. We measured fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, and undercarboxylated (Glu) and carboxylated (Gla) OC levels at baseline and after 16 weeks. To estimate insulin resistance (IR) and beta-cell function (B)%, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR and HOMA-B% were also calculated, respectively. RESULTS: The mean FPG level in total subjects increased significantly from 5.3 to 5.5 mmol/L, but no changes in blood glucose were noted in the 24 subjects with impaired fasting glucose. Glu and Gla OC levels declined significantly after treatment. No correlations were observed between changes in OC and changes in glucose, however. CONCLUSIONS: Bisphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis reduced OC, but this change was not associated with changes in glucose metabolism.
Blood Glucose ; Bone Matrix ; Bone Resorption ; Cholecalciferol ; Etidronic Acid ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Osteoblasts ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoclasts ; Osteoporosis ; Plasma ; Risedronate Sodium

BACKGROUND: Recently long-term safety of bisphosphonate raises issues about the duration of therapy. We examined the effects of a drug holiday (DH) on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers. METHODS: In Korean, 125 women of 50 years of age or older with T-score< or =-3.0 of their lumbar or left femoral BMD initiated bisphosphonate from 1999 based on retrospective chart review. 125 patients who had used bisphosphonate> or =5 years started DH in 2006. Lumbar (L1-4), left femoral neck, total BMD, serum parameter (beta-crossLaps [CTx], phosphorus, total calcium, total alkaline phosphatase), and urinary parameter (calcium/creatinine ratio) were measured before, the time of starting, and after DH. RESULTS: After DH, lumbar, femoral neck and total BMD did not change significantly (0.757+/-0.093-->0.747+/-0.102, P=0.135, 0.567+/-0.079-->0.560+/-0.082, P=0.351, 0.698+/-0.008-->0.691+/-0.090 g/cm2, P=0.115, respectively). Serum CTx and total alkaline phosphatase were increased significantly (0.205+/-0.120-->0.791+/-0.44 ng/mL, P<0.001, 54.52+/-13.40-->60.42+/-15.543 IU/L, P=0.001, respectively). Urinary calcium/creatinine ratio increased significantly (0.132+/-0.076-->0.156+/-0.093, P=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: A DH could be cautiously considered in patients with long-term use of bisphosphonate if there is a concern about severe suppression of bone turnover with respect to long-term use because insignificant changes of BMD and significant increase of bone turnover markers are shown during the period.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bone Density ; Calcium ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Holidays ; Humans ; Phosphorus ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: The Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS) is a 42-item questionnaire designed to assess susceptibility, seriousness, calcium benefits, calcium barriers, exercise benefits, exercise barriers, and health motivation related to osteoporosis. We aimed to evaluate its psychometric properties to enable the provision of educational tips regarding osteoporosis. METHODS: All women who had visited the department of obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) and whose bone mineral density was measured from January 2010 to December 2011 were enrolled by interview using the OHBS. We also evaluated the women's general clinical characteristics. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-seven women were enrolled in the present study. In the present study, the barriers to calcium intake subscale had the lowest mean score (15.03+/-3.02), and the Benefit of Exercise subscale had the highest (23.02+/-3.03). The scores for participants in their 20s were significantly higher than scores for those in their 70s on the Benefits of Exercise subscale and Barriers to Exercise subscale (P=0.014 and P=0.022, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Education for health motivation to prevent osteoporosis is important for young women. Additional systematic education programs are needed for the general population.
Bone Density ; Calcium ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Motivation ; Obstetrics ; Osteoporosis ; Psychometrics ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: This study was to determine the impact on the national healthcare expenditure for the treatment of osteoporosis and fractures if the coverage period for osteoporosis medication was extended from maximum a year to continuous period as required. METHODS: Preserving the current reimbursement guidelines, maximum one year's coverage for osteoporosis medication was set as scenario A. Continuous coverage for patients who require medication was set as scenario B. As costs of medical service utilization are paid by the Korean National Health Insurance Program, all items were investigated and analyzed from the payer's perspective. The combined treatment costs for osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures were assessed for each scenario. RESULTS: Over five years the cost of osteoporosis medication in scenario A will increase from 184.3 billion KRW to 204.6 billion KRW. The cost of osteoporotic fracture treatment will increase from 1,037.3 billion KRW to 1,822.7 billion KRW. In scenario B, the cost of osteoporosis medication will increase from 209.5 billion KRW to 388.1 KRW. The cost of osteoporotic fracture treatment will increase from 600.0 billion KRW to 1,054.3 billion KRW. The result showed savings of 2.50 trillion KRW cumulatively for five years when reimbursement coverage for osteoporosis treatments is extended from one year to as long as it's clinically required. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that effective osteoporosis management through appropriate insurance coverage for osteoporosis medication should be considered not only for the patient's viewpoint, but in terms of national insurance budget as well.
Budgets ; Delivery of Health Care ; Health Care Costs ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Income ; Insurance ; Insurance Coverage ; Korea ; National Health Programs ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND: To analyze and compare the clinical characteristics including bone mineral density (BMD) in a group who had operation of hip fracture with or without prior osteoporotic spinal compression fractures. METHODS: Two hundred forty patients who had undergone operation of hip fractures were evaluated, 127 patients who had with prior osteoporotic spinal compression fractures were in group I, and 113 patients without prior spinal fractures were in group II. In each group, we measured age, gender, body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), BMD (mg/cm3), type of hip fractures, concomitant diseases, presence of secondary hip fracture and history of percutaneous vertebroplasty. RESULTS: The mean age of group I was 79.4 years (male/female: 28/99) and that of group II was 77.6 years (male/female: 37/76). The mean BMI of group I was 21.3 kg/m2 and that in group II was 22.0 kg/m2. The mean BMD and T-score of group I were 41.1 mg/cm3 and -4.45 and those in group II were 51.0 mg/cm3 and -4.17 (P<0.05). The numbers of patients of neck and intertrochanter fracture of group I were 31 and 96 patients and those in group II were 61 and 52 patients. Sixty in group I and 45 in group II patients had concomitant diseases. Thirteen patients had undergone percutaneous vertebroplasty and 18 patients (7.5%) had second hip fractures. CONCLUSIONS: The hip fracture patients who had with prior osteoporotic spinal compression fractures had lower BMD compared to the hip fracture patients without previous spinal compression fractures.
Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Fractures, Compression ; Hip ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Neck ; Spinal Fractures ; Vertebroplasty

The epidemiological trends that characterize our generation are the aging of the population. Aging results in a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength called sarcopenia, which is Greek for 'poverty of flesh'. Sarcopenia could lead to functional impairment, physical disability, and even mortality. Today, sarcopenia is a matter of immense public concern for aging prevention. Its prevalence continues to rise, probably as a result of increasing elderly populations all over the world. This paper addressed the definition and epidemiology of sarcopenia and its underlying pathophysiology. In addition, we summarized the abundant information available in the literature related to sarcopenia, together with results from Korean sarcopenic obesity study (KSOS) that we performed.
Aged ; Aging ; Body Composition ; Humans ; Muscles ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Sarcopenia

OBJECTIVES: Abnormal bone turnover and mineralization is the characteristic of the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving dialysis treatment. Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) has been reported in ESRD patients in many recent studies. Recent study has demonstrated hypoxia increases the loss of bone mass whereas the use of erythropoietin (EPO) increases bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell in vitro, which is the commonly found in ESRD patients. The objective of the present study is to analyze the relationship between erythropoiesis and calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH) status in ESRD patients. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of 183 ESRD patients (78 males, 105 females) on dialysis with mean age of 52 +/- 13 years and mean dialysis duration of 3.4 +/- 3.0 years. Duration and dose of EPO administration, hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and iron were checked in all subjects. BMD was evaluated by DXA. RESULTS: Age was negatively, and body weight and c-calcium positively associated with spine and femur neck and total hip BMD. Hemoglobin was positively correlated with femur neck and total hip BMD. Total dose of EPO, iPTH, and alkaline phosphatase had no significant association with BMD. However, according to tertile of serum PTH concentration, BMD were worst in third tertile group. In multivariate linear regression analysis, age, weight, and serum PTH affect BMD. CONCLUSIONS: BMD was independently related with age and weight. Hemoglobin correlated positively with femur neck and total hip BMD. However, treatment with EPO had no association with BMD. Increased PTH was related with reduced BMD.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Anoxia ; Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Bone Marrow ; Calcium ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dialysis ; Erythropoiesis ; Erythropoietin ; Femur Neck ; Ferritins ; Hemoglobins ; Hip ; Humans ; Iron ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Linear Models ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Phosphorus ; Spine

Increasing numbers of atypical subtrochanteric fractures have been reported among long-term bisphosphonate users. However, the nature and extent of the problem are unknown despite recent investigations. The task force of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) defined major and minor features of complete and incomplete atypical femoral fractures; transverse or short oblique orientation, minimal or no associated trauma, a medial spike when the fracture is complete, and absence of comminution. Minor features include their association with cortical thickening, a periosteal reaction of the lateral cortex, prodromal pain, bilaterality, delayed healing, comorbid conditions, and concomitant drug exposures, including bisphosphonate, glucocorticoids, and proton pump inhibitors. Based on published data, the incidence of atypical femoral fractures associated with bisphosphonate therapy for osteoporosis appears to be very low, particularly compared with the number of vertebral, hip, and other fractures that are prevented by bisphosphonate. Physicians and patients should be aware of the possibility of atypical femoral fractures and of the potential for bilaterality.
Advisory Committees ; Diphosphonates ; Femoral Fractures ; Glucocorticoids ; Hip ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Incidence ; Orientation ; Osteoporosis ; Proton Pump Inhibitors