Abstract
Introduction. This prospective cohort study aimed at the assessment of the incidence of indolent SH among otherwise ‘healthy’ and symptoms’ free postmenopausal women suffering from primary KOA.
Methods. During a period of 23 months (November 2004 – Sepetember 2006), two hundred and forty-two postmenopausal women suffering from primary KOA were enrolled. None of them had suffered any osteoporotic fracture, received any anti-osteoporosis treatment or suffered from any disease interfering with their bone mass/quality. The serum levels of Intact-Parathyroid Hormone (I-PTH), Calcium and Phosphorus were evaluated and Creatinine Clearance was calculated. The latter was performed in order to determine a possible relation between the patients’ renal function and the I-PTH level.
Results. The patients’ mean age was 70,20 years (range: 49–81). The years that had passed since their menopause ranged from 7 to 31 (mean of 18,7 years). The patients were divided into three groups according to their age: Group A (n=41) age < 64 years, Group B (n=140) age 65–74 years and Group C (n=61) age > 75. The overall incidence of SY in all three groups was 35,95% (87 out of 242 patients). Group C patients were most likely to suffer from SY (25 out of 61 patients or 40,98%). The I-PTH values of Group A patients were normal in 27 out of 41 patients (68,85%) and of Group B in 92 out of 140 patients (65,71%). One group B patient suffered from Primary Hyperparathyroidism. No statistically significant relation between the patient’s renal function and the I-PTH level was found.
Discussion/Conclusion. SH appears to be a ‘silent’ epidemic among elderly postmenopausal women. According to our results, women 75 years-old and older are most likely to suffer from SY. One of the main reasons for that seems to be the insufficient calcium and/or vitamin D intake. It is our belief that anti-osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment modalities should be focused on this group of patients.
Correspondence should be addressed to Ms Larissa Welti, Scientific Secretary, EFORT Central Office, Technoparkstrasse 1, CH-8005 Zürich, Switzerland