A prediction rule based on a heel stiffness index and four clinical factors can identify which elderly women are at high risk of osteoporotic fracture.
A prediction rule based on a heel stiffness index and four clinical factors can identify which elderly women are at high risk of osteoporotic fracture, according to a report in the July issue of Radiology.
Idris Guessous, MD, from Lausanne University Hospital in Switzerland, and colleagues used heel-bone quantitative ultrasonographic data from 6,174 Swiss women (70 to 85 years old) to calculate the stiffness index at the heel and its predictive value for osteoporotic fractures.
The researchers assigned points to the five identified risk factors: older age, low heel quantitative ultrasonographic stiffness index, history of fracture, recent fall, and a failed chair test. A cutoff of 4.5 produced a sensitivity of 90% and identified 4,710 women at higher risk of fracture. More of these high-risk women had an osteoporotic fracture (6.1 vs. 1.8%), and 90% of women who had a hip fracture were in the high-risk group.
“A prediction rule obtained by using quantitative ultrasonographic stiffness index and four clinical risk factors helped discriminate, with high sensitivity, women at higher versus those at lower risk for osteoporotic fracture,” Guessous and colleagues conclude.
Guessous I, Cornuz J, Ruffieux C, et al. Osteoporotic fracture risk in elderly women: estimation with quantitative heel US and clinical risk factors.
Radiology
. 2008;248:179-184.
Daré Bioscience initiates phase 3 clinical trial for ovaprene contraceptive
December 5th 2023Daré Bioscience has commenced a pivotal phase 3 clinical trial for ovaprene, an intravaginal contraceptive that releases a locally acting agent to prevent sperm entry into the cervical canal, marking a significant step towards a non-hormonal contraceptive option for women.
Read More
Exploring menstrual health: Insights from the Avon longitudinal study
December 5th 2023Unveiling a comprehensive analysis of menstrual cycle characteristics in mothers and daughters, this article delves into the diverse features, potential risk factors, and the importance of understanding these nuances for effective menstrual health management.
Read More
Integrating pharmacists into PPHTN management for enhanced blood pressure control
December 4th 2023A study reveals that involving pharmacists in the care of postpartum women at risk of persistently elevated blood pressure, as presented at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2023 Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition, can provide an effective and feasible solution to managing hypertensive disorders, reducing postpartum readmission risks, and improving overall health care access.
Read More