Latest news with #bonehealth
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New bone density scanner comes to hospital
A new state-of-the-art bone density scanner is now in use at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead. The dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner, which cost £90,660, is a quick and painless way to check bone health. It measures the strength and condition of someone's bones and screens patients for osteoporosis and other bone-weakening conditions. Early diagnosis of osteoporosis can prevent life-changing fractures, which can otherwise follow everyday occurrences like a cough or a fall from standing height. Half of women over 50 will suffer fractures due to osteoporosis, and a fifth of men, and fractures are the fourth greatest cause of disability in the UK, as well as the second greatest filler of hospital beds. The arrival of the scanner means that many QVH patients can receive their bone density assessment closer to home rather than need to go to elsewhere in Sussex, like Eastbourne, or Lewes, for example, which they have had to do previously, and for other patients it means they can have their treatment at the hospital of their choice. Patient Jane Stewart-Parry fits that bill and she cut the ribbon on the scanner when it arrived at QVH, just moments before she became the first person to use it. Jane, 64, who is from Battle, in East Sussex, said: "Once I knew that the scanner was coming here and that I could be referred here, I wanted to come. "It is amazing, and I am so proud that I am the first patient to be scanned. "My family are really excited too. "My mother died from an undiagnosed osteoporosis condition so it is great that I can come here, to the hospital of my choice, and see where I am at. "I want to make sure I get the right treatment, to make sure I can be monitored as we go along. "It brings peace of mind and awareness too, for my two children, especially my daughter, who is 29. "Cutting the ribbon was fantastic – I shall dine out on that for a while, don't you worry." Sarah Solanki, clinical director core, clinical and community services, said: "It is a great addition for us and our patients. "The machine can examine the bone density of people with suspected, or at risk of having, osteoporosis and in addition how we can monitor patients at risk. "Monitoring at risk patients assists with the ability to reduce their risk of fractures in the future by lifestyle changes and clinical support from specialists." Edmund Tabay, chief nursing officer, added: "The introduction of this scanner is part of our overall community diagnostic programme, and will help patients in our local area and across Sussex, have this treatment. "There is a national shortage of DXA scanners, so we are delighted to include one in our quality offer to patients."
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Thousands of women suffering agonising fractures... because medics think they are 'too young' to have osteoporosis
When Michelle Clark tripped on a concrete step in November 2018 she put it down to clumsiness. But within hours, the mother-of-two was in excruciating pain and practically immobile. Hospital scans revealed Michelle, then 56, had fractured her right kneecap. Doctors applied a cast and told her to rest, expecting it to heal after eight weeks. It wasn't until almost a year later, however, when she broke her right hand while out walking her dog, that the true cause of her repeated injuries came to light. She was diagnosed with osteoporosis, the brittle bone disease that affects 3.5million Britons and causes bones to become fragile and break more easily – and affects women much more than men. However, the diagnosis didn't come from the clinicians who treated her hand. Instead, it was Michelle's children who urged her to push for a DEXA scan – a specialist bone-density test that diagnoses osteoporosis – after seeing how quickly she'd suffered a second fracture Without their intervention, Michelle, who lives with husband Jim, 68, a retired businessman, in Warwickshire, believes she could have gone undiagnosed for years – or until her next, potentially life-threatening, break. Now 62, she says she is still baffled that no medic diagnosed her sooner – even as one doctor joked she had managed to fracture a 'really difficult bone to break'. Michelle is one of tens of thousands of women in mid-life – and younger – who have endured broken bones, and years of pain and frustration, before receiving a diagnosis and treatment. The NHS recommends any adult over 50 who suffers a 'fragility' fracture – a break from a fall at standing height or less – should be assessed for osteoporosis, yet this frequently does not happen. A 2021 report by the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) found many women in their 50s and early 60s are dismissed or misdiagnosed. And the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Osteoporosis and Bone Health reported in 2023 that tens of thousands of women are missing out on timely diagnosis and treatment. One major reason cited was age bias. Clinicians often overlook osteoporosis in younger, postmenopausal women despite it being the most likely cause for fragility fractures. Michelle is speaking out as part of The Mail on Sunday's War On Osteoporosis campaign. We are calling on the Government to ensure every part of the UK is served by a specialist clinic, known as a fracture liaison service (FLS), to screen patients for the condition after a break. While FLS units are in place across every hospital in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, only around half of hospitals in England offer this vital service. Last year Health Secretary Wes Streeting vowed that one of his first acts in government would be to task the NHS with a 'rollout plan' for nationwide access to FLS units. Only in February did he say it would be implemented by 2030. Experts warn every month of inaction on fair access to an FLS puts more lives needlessly at risk. Broken bones are the fourth leading cause of disability and premature death in the UK and the second biggest cause of adult hospital admissions. Hip fractures, often caused by untreated osteoporosis, claim the lives of an estimated 2,500 Britons every year – deaths that campaigners insist are largely preventable. The condition affects men, too, but eight out of ten patients are women as a result of hormonal changes that occur during the menopause altering bone density. 'My diagnosis was a blur,' recalls Michelle. 'I knew absolutely nothing about osteoporosis and I was absolutely gobsmacked. I'm a keen walker and gym goer – suddenly I felt vulnerable and old. 'But what shocked me more was my DEXA scan showed I'd also unknowingly fractured my spine.' At 54, two years before her kneecap injury, Michelle slipped on her stairs, landing on her back. 'That fall must have been to blame for the spine fractures,' she says. 'I was in agony, but after a few days I just carried on as normal, took painkillers and learned to live with it. 'My osteoporosis was missed repeatedly. If there had been a local FLS maybe it could have been picked up before I broke another bone.' When signs of the condition are spotted in FLS, patients are given bone-preserving drugs that more than halve the risk of breaks. Experts say the FLS 'postcode lottery' is putting people at risk. In March, analysis by this newspaper found nine of the ten areas with the highest rates of over-65s with hip fractures do not have an FLS in their hospitals. 'Patients are being let down, it's completely unfair,' says Emma Clark, a professor of clinical musculoskeletal epidemiology at the University of Bristol. 'They deserve consistency – their postcode shouldn't determine the treatment they get. Patients will slip through the cracks. 'The clinics are not just about ensuring they get bone-strengthening medicines. They also give tailored diet and lifestyle support.'
Medscape
28-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Bone Metabolism in Celiac Disease
When most people think of celiac disease (CD), they understandably associate it with digestive system problems such as bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The chronic autoimmune disorder, characterized by an abnormal immune response to gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye— leads to damage of the small intestine when people with the disorder consume gluten. This intestinal damage causes uncomfortable digestive symptoms associated with the disease, but it also affects a very different system: the skeletal system. This is because CD impairs absorption of essential nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D — two nutrients crucial for maintaining bone health. As a result, individuals with CD are at an increased risk for developing metabolic bone diseases, such as osteomalacia, low bone density, and osteoporosis. Thus, prompt diagnosis of the condition, which affects approximately 1%-2% of the global population, is crucial in order to prevent these bone consequences. This also highlights the need for bone screening in those found to have the disease. Importantly, a significant number of patients with CD may present without the classic gastrointestinal symptoms, instead exhibiting extraintestinal manifestations, including bone loss. An impact on bone health has been reported in individuals with CD across a range of ages, including children. Postmenopausal women with the condition are at heightened risk due to associated estrogen deficiency, which further compromises bone density. Older adults with CD are also more vulnerable as bone mass naturally declines with age and is further exacerbated by malabsorption-related deficiencies. Regional studies indicate that the prevalence of CD-associated osteoporosis is particularly high in Europe and North America. A Danish study reported that the risk of major osteoporotic fractures is increased by 37% and of any fractures by 27% in patients with CD. The pathophysiology of bone disease in CD is multifactorial. The intestinal damage caused by the condition results in the malabsorption of vitamin D, which plays an essential role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis and in promoting optimal conditions for bone mineralization. Vitamin D deficiency is common in untreated CD and drives bone loss and can cause osteomalacia — a condition characterized by softening of bones. In children with CD, severe vitamin D deficiency with reduction in phosphate levels can cause rickets. Further, impaired calcium absorption and hypocalcemia triggers secondary hyperparathyroidism— a compensatory increase in parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion aimed at restoring serum calcium levels. PTH stimulates osteoclast activity, leading to increased bone resorption and, ultimately, a deterioration in bone microarchitecture. Thus, bone impairment may occur even when serum calcium levels appear normal. Systemic inflammation also plays a critical role. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-1 and -6 are elevated in CD and are known to directly stimulate osteoclastogenesis. These cytokines promote bone resorption and interfere with bone formation, further skewing the balance toward bone loss. Hormonal disturbances may contribute to bone disease in CD. Women with CD may experience menstrual irregularities, such as amenorrhea or early menopause, resulting in decreased estrogen levels, a hormone critical for bone preservation. In men, a condition of reversible androgen resistance may occur, reducing the anabolic effects of testosterone on bone. Together, these hormonal imbalances can significantly impair bone density. In light of these risks, it is important to promptly screen patients for CD when they have symptoms suggestive of this condition, or in some patients with vitamin D deficiency who do not respond to usual vitamin D replacement doses, or in situations where a diagnosis of low bone density is made for unrelated reasons, to prevent to prevent long-term complications, including bone disease. The preferred initial screening test in patients suspected to have CD and consuming a gluten-containing diet is the tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies (tTG-IgA) test accompanied by total serum IgA (to rule out IgA deficiency). If IgA concentrations are low, an IgG based test is indicated. A positive serologic test should be followed by endoscopic duodenal biopsy, which can confirm the diagnosis through findings such as increased intraepithelial lymphocytes, crypt hyperplasia, and villous atrophy. However, the biopsy may not be necessary if the tTG-IgA antibody titer is 10 or more times the upper limit of normal. Human leukocyte antigen testing is sometimes necessary in patients with suspected CD. Importantly, diagnostic procedures must be conducted while the patient is still consuming gluten, as high antibody titers and endoscopic findings resolve on a gluten-free diet. The European Society for the Study of Celiac Disease recommends that, upon diagnosis, individuals aged 30-35 or older with CD undergo bone mass density (BMD) testing using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), particularly if there is evidence of malabsorption, if the diagnosis is delayed, or if there are other concerning risk factors for low bone density. DXA scans should be repeated every 5 years if the initial scan was normal, or every 2-3 years if the initial scan revealed low bone density or for ongoing risk factors for low bone density. The American College of Gastroenterology also recommends DXA screening for low bone density in CD. Children with CD, similarly, should be screened with a DXA scan when there are risk factors for low bone density. Calcium, vitamin D, alkaline phosphatase and PTH levels should be checked at diagnosis and monitored annually (or more frequently in the case of children) until they return to normal. The cornerstone of treatment for CD is strict, lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD). Eliminating gluten from the diet allows the intestinal mucosa to heal, leading to improved nutrient absorption and a reduction in systemic inflammation. Numerous studies have demonstrated that adherence to a GFD can significantly improve BMD, with notable changes observed within the first year of dietary compliance. The American Gastroenterological Association emphasizes the critical role of the GFD in both gastrointestinal recovery and the prevention of complications like osteoporosis. In addition to the GFD, patients with CD should receive calcium and vitamin D supplementation to address deficiencies and support bone health. The Canadian Family Physician guidelines recommend routine supplementation and monitoring to ensure optimal levels. Regular BMD assessments are advised as previously discussed to detect early signs of bone loss and monitor the effectiveness of interventions. Physical activity, particularly weight-bearing exercises, is encouraged as it helps to stimulate bone formation and enhance skeletal strength. Patients should be encouraged to participate in weight-bearing (bone loading) exercises, resistance training, limit alcohol intake, and avoid cigarette smoking. In severe cases of osteoporosis, antiresorptive medications such as bisphosphonates may be considered. However, evidence supporting their use specifically in CD patients is limited, and such treatments should be tailored to individual needs. Bone disease is a common and potentially serious complication of CD, often arising from a combination of malabsorption, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances. Early detection and comprehensive management — including implementation of a gluten-free diet, nutritional supplementation, and optimal physical activity, along with routine BMD screening — are vital to preserving bone health and preventing long-term complications in individuals with CD.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Otley and Leeds hospitals given bone density scanner boost
Women's health will be "one of the biggest winners" from new bone density scanners in West Yorkshire hospitals, a radiographer scanners at Wharfedale Hospital in Otley and Leeds General Infirmary are among 13 to be installed across the country after government funding. They will detect indicators of illness such as osteoporosis, which weakens bones, making them so fragile that even a cough or sneeze could cause a Koplick, a lead radiographer based at Wharfedale Hospital, said the scanners would help "prevent pain" for patients by helping to diagnose osteoporosis before bones are broken. More than one in three women and one in five men will experience one or more osteoporotic fractures in their lifetime, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Ms Koplick said having a local scanner in Otley would also be a "relief" to older patients who struggle to travel to Leeds."Detecting osteoporosis as early as possible leads to much better outcomes and prevents pain and poor clinical outcomes," she said."It's absolutely wonderful to be able to provide this service close to people's homes."The scanners are part of the government's "plan for change" - aiming to reduce NHS waiting lists - and would provide an extra 30,000 scans a year minister Karin Smyth said: "We're really excited to be able to make this announcement for people in West Yorkshire to get these services that they so desperately need." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
New bone scanner coming to Cranleigh Village Hospital
A new state-of-the-art bone scanner to help early diagnosis of illnesses such as osteoporosis is coming to a Surrey Village Hospital will receive one of 13 new scanners pledged by the Mann, clinical lead for women's health at NHS England, said the new scanners were a "welcome targeted investment" for the NHS Trusts set to receive them."They measure tiny reductions in bone density that can help us diagnose osteoporosis in its early stages, before you break a bone," she added. "These scanners are key tools for prevention, particularly for some women who are known to be at higher risk of osteoporosis such as those who go through early menopause."Osteoporosis, which weakens bones making them fragile and more likely to break, affects more than two million women in than one in three women and one in five men will experience a fracture due to osteoporosis in their lifetime, according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). 'Life-threatening fractures' The new DEXA scanners have advanced technology to identify with minute detail the quality of a patient's bones, the DHSC first patients will receive an invitation for appointments to use the new scanner later this Jones, chief executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said people in Surrey with undiagnosed osteoporosis would "benefit enormously" from the new scanner."Osteoporosis can cause life-threatening fractures, bringing hospitalisation and isolation, but this new scanner will diagnose thousands of patients early, giving them back the lives and futures they deserve," he at Cranleigh Village Hospital, which is run by Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, include radiology, podiatry, physiotherapy and numerous outpatient clinics.
