MSK Report News

Friday, September 30, 2005 Osteoporosis: Childhood Fractures May Be a Risk Factor for Osteoporosis
A new study suggests that a history of fracture in childhood and adolescence may be a marker for genetically determined low peak bone mass and osteoporosis later in life... Presented at: 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; September 23-27, 2005; Nashville, Tenn. Abstract 1136.

Thursday, September 29, 2005 Osteoporosis: Study Suggests Statins May Lower Fracture Risk in Men
A study of almost 30,000 elderly men suggests that statins, in addition to their lipid-lowering benefit, may also reduce fracture risk...Scranton RE, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:2007-2012.

Thursday, September 29, 2005 Osteoporosis: Long-Term Bisphosphonate Therapy Remains an Unresolved Issue
Despite concerns about long-term bisphosphonate therapy resulting in the continued suppression of bone turnover and inhibition of normal repair and replacement of damaged bone, recent clinical trials suggest that treatment for up to 10 years is not harmful ... Presented at: 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; September 23-25, 2005; Nashville, Tenn.

Wednesday, September 28, 2005 Autoimmunity: New-Onset or Exacerbation of Psoriatic Skin Lesions in RA Patients on Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Antagonists
Nine rheumatic arthritis (RA) patients treated with 3 different tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antagonist formulations developed new-onset or an exacerbation of psoriatic lesions, despite the efficacy of TNF-α antagonists in treating such psoriatic lesions in the past. These first-ever reported cases will likely spur further analysis of the unexpected phenomenon...Kary S, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. Online First. September 8, 2005.

Wednesday, September 28, 2005 Latest News: The XtremeCT May Be More Sensitive than DEXA in Predicting Fracture Risks
A new high-resolution imaging device, the XtremeCT, which measures both bone density and bone architecture, may have significant advantages over the current gold standard, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)...Boutroy S, et al. Presented at: 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; September 23-27, 2005; Nashville, Tenn. Abstract SA360.

Tuesday, September 27, 2005 General: Novel Method of Upfront Loading of Bisphosphonates Found to Improve Spinal Bone Mineral Density and Reduce Fractures
Upfront loading of oral or intravenous bisphosphonates followed by maintenance dosing may enhance the ability of these agents to reduce fracture risk compared with currently used dosing regimens... Presented at: 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; September 23-27, 2005; Nashville, Tennessee. Abstract M369.

Tuesday, September 27, 2005 General: Researchers Report Promising Findings on Biomarkers for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis and OA
New research has uncovered biomarkers that serve as both diagnostic "fingerprints" for the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis and predictors for osteoarthritis (OA) progression... Presented at: 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; September 23-27, 2005; Nashville, Tennessee.

Sunday, September 25, 2005 Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis Fractures, Costs Projected to Rise by 50% in 20 Years
A new survey suggests that changing demographics will fuel a 50% increase in the incidence of osteoporotic fractures and associated healthcare costs over the next 20 years... Presented at: 27^th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; September 23-25, 2005; Nashville, Tennessee.

Sunday, September 25, 2005 Osteoporosis: Beta-Blockers May Preserve Bone Density and Reduce Fracture Risk
Preliminary results from a new study indicate that use of beta-blockers is associated with a reduction in osteoporotic fractures, higher bone mineral density, better femoral neck geometry, and beneficial effects on trabecular microarchitecture...Presented at: 27^th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; September 23-25, 2005; Nashville, Tennessee.

Sunday, September 25, 2005 Osteoporosis: C-Reactive Protein May Help Predict Fracture Risk
A new study provides evidence that circulating levels of C-reactive protein may independently predict fracture risk in postmenopausal women... Presented at: 27^th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; September 23-25, 2005; Nashville, Tennessee.