Indirect method for validating transference of reference intervals

Abstract Background: Transference of reference intervals (RIs) from multicentre studies are often verified by use of a small number of samples from reference individuals or by the use of one serum sample (Serum X for NORIP RI). Despite recommended and appropriate methods, both have inconveniencies and drawbacks. Several attempts have been made to develop an indirect method, which uses historical data from the laboratory. These methods are retrospective relying on older test results. A near prospective method would be preferable for the laboratories introducing new methods or changing analytical platforms. Methods: We performed a data mining experiment using results from our laboratory information system covering patients from a large geographic area. Request patterns for patients with assumed healthy characteristics were identified and used to extract laboratory results for calculation of new RI by an indirect method. Calculated RI and confidence intervals (CIs) were compared to transferred NORIP RI verified by NFKK Reference Serum X. Results: We found that our indirect method and NFKK Reference Serum X in general produced similar results when verifying transference of RI. The method produces results for all stratifications. Only single stratifications and one analyte showed unexplained incongruences to the NORIP RI. Conclusions: Our results suggest using request patterns as a surrogate measure for good health status. This allows for a data mining method for validation of RI or validating their transference, which is likely to be applicable in countries with similar healthcare and laboratory information system. </jats:sec

A randomized trial of alendronate as prophylaxis against loss in bone mineral density following lymphoma treatment

Lymphoma patients often receive high glucocorticoid doses as part of standard therapy. Observational studies have shown a substantial risk of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) with associated fractures. The aim of the SIESTA trial was to determine if oral alendronate (ALN) is a safe and effective prophylaxis against GIO in lymphoma. SIESTA was a single-center, randomized, double-blinded, phase 2 study of lymphoma patients planned for glucocorticoid-containing chemotherapy. After randomization, patients received weekly ALN 70 mg or placebo for a total of 52 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed at baseline, after completion of chemotherapy (end of treatment [EOT]) (4 to 6 months), and at the end of the study (EOS) (12 months). Vertebral fracture and biomarkers were assessed at baseline and EOS. Patients with baseline BMD assessment and at least 1 follow-up BMD assessment were analyzed for efficacy. The primary endpoint was a change in lumbar spine T-score from baseline to EOS. Of the 59 patients enrolled, 23 of 30 in the ALN arm and 24 of 29 in the placebo arm were analyzed for efficacy. The mean change in T-score from baseline to 12 months at the lumbar spine was +0.15 for ALN and -0.12 for placebo (P = .023). The difference in ΔT(EOS) between the ALN and placebo groups was larger among females (ALN 0.28; placebo -0.28; P = .01). Biomarker analyses confirmed reduced bone resorption in ALN-treated patients. In conclusion, ALN is a safe and effective primary prophylaxis against loss in BMD following glucocorticoid-containing chemotherapy. Despite reduced BMD loss in the ALN arm, the treatment did not influence fracture risk in this small cohort of patients

Bone Density and Structure in Overweight Men With and Without Diabetes

OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), type 1 diabetes (T1D), and type 2 diabetes, are associated with an increased risk of fractures; however, the impact of obesity on bone deficits in diabetes is unknown. We aimed to compare markers of bone structure, bone density, and bone turnover in non-diabetic overweight men with MetS and overweight men with T1D or T2D. METHODS AND RESEARCH DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study we included participants from two previously described study cohorts consisting of participants with diabetes and participants with MetS. Participants underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measuring areal bone mineral density (aBMD) at the hip and lumbar spine, High Resolution peripheral Quantitative (HRpQCT) scan of the tibia and radius and measurement of circulating bone turnover markers. We compared groups with unpaired t test and performed multiple linear regression with adjustment for age, body mass index, and smoking. RESULTS: We included 33 participants with T1D, 25 participants with T2D, and 34 participants with MetS. Bone turnover markers levels were comparable between T1D and MetS. aBMD at the hip was lower in T1D compared to MetS, also after adjustment. P1NP and Osteocalcin levels were lower among individuals with T2D compared to MetS, whereas aBMD were similar between the groups after multiple adjustments. We observed no difference in volumetric BMD at the tibia or radius between MetS and T1D and T2D, respectively. Participants with T2D had a higher trabecular number and lower trabecular separation compared to individuals with MetS at the tibia, which remained signficant after multiple adjustments. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we observed no clinically important differences in bone density or structure between men with T2D, T1D, or MetS. However, men with T2D displayed lower bone turnover compared to MetS highlighting that T2D per se and not obesity, is associated with low bone turnover

Glucose Tolerance Tests and Osteocalcin Responses in Healthy People

Aim: Osteocalcin and undercarboxylated osteocalcin are suggested to be endocrine messengers from the bones and have been shown to stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. Insulin is hypothesized to increase the osteoblastic production of osteocalcin. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the route of glucose administration influence the circulating levels of osteocalcin and undercarboxylated osteocalcin.Methods: Twelve healthy males were enrolled in an acute cross-over study where they underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), an isoglycemic intravenous glucose infusion (IIGI) and a fasting period (control). Blood samples were collected throughout 180 min and analyzed for osteocalcin and undercarboxylated osteocalcin and compared to insulin, glucose, and gastro-intestinal hormone responses.Results: Neither osteocalcin levels nor undercarboxylated osteocalcin levels over time differed between the OGTT, IIGI, and fasting. Baseline insulin levels and glucose levels were not associated with osteocalcin or undercarboxylated osteocalcin levels. Increases in insulin and glucose levels were neither associated with altered osteocalcin nor undercarboxylated osteocalcin levels.Conclusion: The route of glucose administration does not influence the circulating levels of osteocalcin and undercarboxylated osteocalcin despite the differential insulin and incretin responses. In the acute setting this suggests that insulin does not increase osteoblastic production of osteocalcin in healthy human males