Does the presence of postmenopausal symptoms influence susceptibility to vertebral deformity? European Vertebral Osteoporosis Study (EVOS) Group.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports suggest a possible increased risk of osteoporosis in those with postmenopausal symptoms. There are, however, no data from population samples, exploring the relationship between postmenopausal symptoms and vertebral osteoporosis. AIM: To determine if there is an association between self-reported postmenopausal symptoms and radiographic vertebral deformity. METHODS: Women aged 50 years and over were recruited from population registers in 30 European centres and invited to attend for an interviewer administered questionnaire and lateral thoracic and lumbar spine radiographs. The questionnaire sought information about aspects of lifestyle, personal, medical and gynaecological history, including postmenopausal symptoms: flushing, sleep disturbance and 'other' symptoms. Radiographs were taken according to a standard protocol and evaluated morphometrically. Vertebral deformity was defined according to the McCloskey-Kanis method. Bone mineral density data were obtained in a subsample of women at both the spine and femoral neck. RESULTS: A total of 4023 postmenopausal women, aged 50-64 years, were studied: 73% reported a history of flushing, 45% sleep disturbance and 23% 'other' symptoms, at or around their menopause. The prevalence of vertebral deformity was 8.2%. Those with postmenopausal symptoms were slightly younger and more likely to have ever taken hormone replacement therapy (HRT) than those without symptoms. After adjusting for potential confounders (age, centre, body mass index, cigarette smoking and HRT) there was no association between deformity and any of the postmenopausal symptoms: flushing (odds ratio (OR) 1.0; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.8, 1.3), sleep disturbance (OR 1.0; 95% CI 0.8, 1.2), 'other' symptoms (OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.7, 1.3). Amongst women who had ever taken HRT, however, those with vertebral deformity were more likely to report a history of flushing (OR 2.1; 95% CI 0.9,4.8). CONCLUSION: A history of postmenopausal symptoms per se does not appear to be associated with increased susceptibility to vertebral osteoporosis. However, women with more severe symptoms (as suggested by their use of HRT) may be at increased risk

Does the presence of postmenopausal symptoms influence susceptibility to vertebral deformity? European Vertebral Osteoporosis Study (EVOS) Group.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports suggest a possible increased risk of osteoporosis in those with postmenopausal symptoms. There are, however, no data from population samples, exploring the relationship between postmenopausal symptoms and vertebral osteoporosis. AIM: To determine if there is an association between self-reported postmenopausal symptoms and radiographic vertebral deformity. METHODS: Women aged 50 years and over were recruited from population registers in 30 European centres and invited to attend for an interviewer administered questionnaire and lateral thoracic and lumbar spine radiographs. The questionnaire sought information about aspects of lifestyle, personal, medical and gynaecological history, including postmenopausal symptoms: flushing, sleep disturbance and 'other' symptoms. Radiographs were taken according to a standard protocol and evaluated morphometrically. Vertebral deformity was defined according to the McCloskey-Kanis method. Bone mineral density data were obtained in a subsample of women at both the spine and femoral neck. RESULTS: A total of 4023 postmenopausal women, aged 50-64 years, were studied: 73% reported a history of flushing, 45% sleep disturbance and 23% 'other' symptoms, at or around their menopause. The prevalence of vertebral deformity was 8.2%. Those with postmenopausal symptoms were slightly younger and more likely to have ever taken hormone replacement therapy (HRT) than those without symptoms. After adjusting for potential confounders (age, centre, body mass index, cigarette smoking and HRT) there was no association between deformity and any of the postmenopausal symptoms: flushing (odds ratio (OR) 1.0; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.8, 1.3), sleep disturbance (OR 1.0; 95% CI 0.8, 1.2), 'other' symptoms (OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.7, 1.3). Amongst women who had ever taken HRT, however, those with vertebral deformity were more likely to report a history of flushing (OR 2.1; 95% CI 0.9,4.8). CONCLUSION: A history of postmenopausal symptoms per se does not appear to be associated with increased susceptibility to vertebral osteoporosis. However, women with more severe symptoms (as suggested by their use of HRT) may be at increased risk

Population birth data and pandemic readiness in Europe

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic exposed multiple shortcomings in national and international capacity to respond to an infectious disease outbreak. It is essential to learn from these deficiencies to prepare for future epidemics. One major gap is the limited availability of timely and comprehensive population-based routine data about COVID-19's impact on pregnant women and babies. As part of the Horizon 2020 PHIRI (Population Health Information Research Infrastructure) project on the use of population data for COVID-19 surveillance, the Euro-Peristat research network investigated the extent to which routine information systems could be used to assess the effects of the pandemic by constructing indicators of maternal and child health and of COVID-19 infection. The Euro-Peristat network brings together researchers and statisticians from 31 countries to monitor population indicators of perinatal health in Europe and periodically compiles data on a set of 10 core and 20 recommended indicators1.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved