Patients’ preferences for osteoporosis drug treatment: a discrete choice experiment

Summary: Active case finding for osteoporosis is used to identify patients at high fracture risk who may benefit from preventive drug treatment. We investigated the relative weight that women place on various aspects of preventive drugs in a discrete choice experiment. Our patients said they were prepared to take preventive drugs even if side effects were expected. Int

Safety and tolerability of bazedoxifene in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: results of a 5-year, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial

Summary: Findings from this 5-year phase 3 study of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis showed that bazedoxifene was associated with an overall favorable safety and tolerability profile, with no evidence of endometrial or breast stimulation. Overall, the results at 5 years were consistent with those seen at 3 years. Introduction: We report safety and tolerability findings from a 5-year randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study of bazedoxifene in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Methods: In the core study, healthy postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (N=7,492; mean age, 66.4 years) were randomized to daily doses of bazedoxifene 20 or 40 mg, raloxifene 60 mg, or placebo for 3 years. During the 2-year study extension, the raloxifene 60-mg treatment arm was discontinued after the 3-year database was finalized, and subjects receiving bazedoxifene 40 mg were transitioned in a blinded manner to bazedoxifene 20 mg (bazedoxifene 40-/20-mg group) after 4 years. Safety and tolerability data are reported for subjects in the bazedoxifene 20- and 40-/20-mg and placebo groups; efficacy findings are reported elsewhere. Results: A total of 3,146 subjects in the bazedoxifene 20- and 40-mg and placebo groups were enrolled in the extension study (years 4 and 5). Overall, the 5-year incidence of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and discontinuations due to AEs were similar among groups. The incidence of hot flushes and leg cramps was higher with bazedoxifene compared with placebo. Venous thromboembolic events, primarily deep vein thrombosis, were more frequently reported in the bazedoxifene groups compared with the placebo group. Reports of cardiac disorders and cerebrovascular events were few and evenly distributed among groups. Bazedoxifene showed a neutral effect on the breast and endometrium. Conclusion: Bazedoxifene was associated with an overall favorable safety and tolerability profile in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis over 5 years of therapy, consistent with findings at 3 years. © 2010 International Osteoporosis Foundation and National Osteoporosis Foundation

Surgical repair of cartilage defects of the patella

The structure and biomechanical forces on the patellar joint challenges researchers to define an ideal method for resurfacing the patellar cartilage. The articular surface of the patella presents variability between individuals, and has various minor articulations that bear partial or total compressive, shear, and combined forces during movement. Surgical techniques for the repair of patellar cartilage defects have evolved from cumulative advances in basic science and technology. Such surgeries include the techniques that promote either fibrocartilage formation or hyalinelike cartilage formation. Techniques promoting the formation of fibrocartilage yield shortterm solutions because fibrocartilage lacks the durability and the mechanical properties of articular hyaline cartilage. Currently, there is no ideal method for the repair of patellar cartilage defects; all methods are considered experimental. Additional controlled and randomized clinical studies with large series of patients and long-term followup are required

Reliability of the safe area for the superior gluteal nerve

WOS: 000183929900018PubMed: 12838060The authors investigated the reliability of the safe area, which previously was defined to prevent injury to the superior gluteal nerve during the lateral approach to the hip, and its relation to body height. The distance between the point of entry of the superior gluteal nerve into the gluteus medius muscle and the greater trochanter, in the regions which were defined as the anterior and posterior halves of the muscle, were measured in 23 cadaveric hips. There was a significant correlation between the height of the cadavers and the distance in the anterior and posterior regions. In all of the anterior regions and 78% of the posterior regions of the hips, the superior gluteal nerve as found to be in the safe area. The current study showed that the average distance between the innervation point of the gluteus medius muscle and the greater trochanter might change as a function of body height. The risk of damage to the superior gluteal nerve may be higher if the direct lateral approach to the hip is used. These data show that it is possible that the safe area is not always safe

Histological alterations after irradiation of cartilage using Ho : YAG laser

KORKUSUZ, FEZA/0000-0001-9486-3541WOS: 000180843500002PubMed: 12614553The authors carried out an experimental study to evaluate the histological alterations after irradiation of cartilage using Holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser VersaPulse Select 60 watts and Infra. Tome Delivery Systems 30degrees Handpiece (spot size at fiber tip 0.4 mm; Coherent Medical, Palo Alto, CA). Background Data: Recently, some authors reported cases with articular cartilage damage following arthroscopic laser surgery in the knee joint for the treatment of articular cartilage or meniscal pathology. Materials and Methods: The cartilage specimens immersed in saline were exposed to Ho:YAG laser irradiation. The laser wavelength was 2.1 mum, and pulse duration was 250 musec. Power settings were 0.2-1 joules per pulse and 10-15 Hz. Total laser energy used in these procedures was 1.5 K joules. During the procedures, the handpiece was used at an angle of 30degrees and at a distance of 1 mm. Results: Electron microscopic evaluation demonstrated that the ultrastructure of the cartilage is preserved in both experiment and control groups. Conclusion: When Ho:YAG laser is used in optimal dosage (optimal joule and Hertz) with optimal technique (keeping the handpiece at an appropriate angle and distance) and avoiding overtreatment, it does not cause cartilage damage

Histological and magnetic resonance imaging alterations after irradiation of meniscus using holmium : YAG laser

KORKUSUZ, FEZA/0000-0001-9486-3541WOS: 000172158300004PubMed: 11710619Objective: The authors performed an experimental and a prospective clinical study to evaluate the histological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) alterations after irradiation of meniscus using holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser VersaPulse Select 60 watts and InfraTome Delivery Systems 30 degrees Handpiece (spot size at fiber tip 0.4 mm; Coherent Medical, Palo Alto, CA). Background Data: Recently, some authors reported a few cases with articular cartilage damage or paraarticular osteonecrosis following arthroscopic knee surgery in which the laser was used to assist in the treatment of meniscal pathology. Methods: Meniscus specimens in saline immersion were exposed to Ho:YAG laser irradiation. The laser wavelength was 2.1 mum and pulse duration was 250 mu sec. Power settings were 1-1.5 joules per pulse and 10-15 Hz. Total laser energy used in these procedures was 2, 3.5, and 6 K joules. Eight patients with meniscal problems underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy using Ho:YAG laser. Total laser energy used for these surgeries was 1.5-2.5 K joules. MRI was performed preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. Results: At higher energy levels (more than 3 K joules), separation of the gap between the collagen fibers, and a three-dimensional dispersion in the striation were observed on electron microscopic evaluation of meniscus specimens. No patient had abnormal signals in MRI (a sign of articular cartilage damage or osteonecrosis) following arthroscopic laser surgery. Conclusion: When higher energy level is required, conventional instruments should be preferred in the treatment of meniscal lesions. Laser should be reserved for the posteriorly located and smaller meniscal lesions