Evaluating the Clinical Relevance of Codon 594 (G>A) Polymorphism of Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Knee Osteoarthritis

It has been reported that oestrogen receptor alpha (ER-?) polymorphisms are associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, we assessed whether there was any association between the codon 594 (G>A) polymorphism in ER-? and radiographic features of OA or patient function.Radiographs, WOMAC score and patient reported time of symptom onset were assessed in 194 patients presenting for total knee replacement at Ramathibodi hospital over a one year period. ESR-1 genotyping was assessed. There were 107 (55.15%) patients with common homozygote (GG), 78 (40.20%) patients with heterozygote (GA) and nine (4.65%) patients with rare homozygote (AA). There was poor correlation (r = <0.2) between group difference in the radiographic parameters, time of onset of symptom , or in WOMAC scores. This polymorphism is not associated with the clinical features of knee osteoarthritis. The role of this polymorphism is unlikely then to be used as a biological marker predicting the progression of knee OA

Thai Osteoporosis Foundation (TOPF) position statements on management of osteoporosis

The adjusted incidence rate of hip fracture in Thailand has increased more than 31% from 1997 to 2006. Mortality and morbidity after hip fracture are also high. One year mortality after a hip fracture has increased from 18% in 1999 to 21% in 2007. The Thai Osteoporosis Foundation (TOPF) developed the first Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) in 2002 and keeps updating the CPG since then. This latest version of the CPG is our attempt to provide comprehensive positional statement on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in Thailand. The study group who revised this position statement contains experts from the TOPF, Four Royal Colleges of Thailand, includes the Orthopaedic Surgeons, Gynecologists and Obstetricians, Physiatrists, Radiologists and 2 Associations of Endocrinologists and Rheumatologists which have involved in the management of patients with osteoporosis