ABSTRACT Trabecular bone score (TBS) is an indirect and noninvasive measure of bone quality. A low TBS indicates degraded bone microarchitecture, predicts osteoporotic fracture, and is partially independent of clinical risk factors and bone mineral density (BMD). There is substantial evidence supporting the use of TBS to assess vertebral, hip, and major osteoporotic fracture risk in postmenopausal women, as well as to assess hip and major osteoporotic fracture risk in men aged > 50 years. TBS complements BMD information and can be used to adjust the FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment) score to improve risk stratification. While TBS should not be used to monitor antiresorptive therapy, it may be potentially useful for monitoring anabolic therapy. There is also a growing body of evidence indicating that TBS is particularly useful as an adjunct to BMD for fracture risk assessment in conditions associated with increased fracture risk, such as type-2 diabetes, chronic corticosteroid excess, and other conditions wherein BMD readings are often misleading. The interference of abdominal soft tissue thickness (STT) on TBS should also be considered when interpreting these findings because image noise can impact TBS evaluation. A new TBS software version based on an algorithm that accounts for STT rather than BMI seems to correct this technical limitation and is under development. In this paper, we review the current state of TBS, its technical aspects, and its evolving role in the assessment and management of several clinical conditions.

Resumo Introdução: O hiperparatireoidismo é uma complicação frequente da doença renal crônica (DRC). A paratireoidectomia (PTX) total com autotransplante (AT) de tecido paratireoideano é uma opção terapêutica para os indivíduos que não respondem ao manejo clínico. Objetivo: Avaliar a resposta do tecido paratireoideano enxertado durante hipocalcemia induzida em pacientes portadores de DRC submetidos à PTX total com AT. Métodos: Dezoito pacientes portadores de hiperparatiroidismo associado à DRC foram submetidos à PTX total com AT de tecido paratireoideano selecionado por estereomicroscopia entre Abril e Outubro de 2008 em nosso serviço. Onze indivíduos (oito com transplante renal funcionante, 2 em diálise peritoneal e 1 em hemodiálise) apresentavam boa condição clínica e foram elegíveis para o teste. Induziu-se hipocalcemia por infusão de bicarbonato de sódio em 5 controles normais e nos pacientes 6-12 meses após a PTX. Resultados: A hipocalcemia determinou um aumento importante dos níveis de PTH intacto (iPTH) no grupo controle 4 minutos após a infusão de bicarbonato. Nos pacientes, houve uma redução significativa do cálcio ionizado [de 1,17 ± 0,12 para 1,09 ± 0,11 (media ± EP) mmol/L] no 4º minuto (p < 0,001) ilustrando o nadir do teste. No 10º minuto não houve elevação do cálcio ionizado comparado ao 4º minuto (p = 0,451). Os níveis de iPTH foram de 34,8 ± 18,6 para 34,1 ± 18,8 pg/mL (valor basal semelhante ao 4º minuto p = 0,087) e se mantiveram no 10º minuto (33,3 ± 19,6 pg/mL p = 0,693). Conclusão: Em pacientes portadores de DRC testados 6-12 meses depois da cirurgia, o enxerto de tecido paratireoideano revelou incapacidade de resposta à hipocalcemia induzida por bicarbonato sem mudança dos níveis de iPTH.

Abstract Introduction: Hyperparathyroidism is a frequent complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Total parathyroidectomy (PTX) with parathyroid tissue autotransplantation (AT) is a treatment option in those individuals that do not respond to clinical management. Objective: To evaluate grafted parathyroid tissue response during induced hypocalcemia among CKD patients who underwent total PTX with AT. Methods: Eighteen patients with renal hyperparathyroidism were submitted to total PTX with parathyroid AT selected by stereomicroscopy between April and October 2008. Eleven (eight with successful kidney transplantation, 2 in peritoneal dialysis and 1 in hemodialysis) were clinically stable and eligible for testing. Hypocalcemia was induced using sodium bicarbonate infusion in 5 healthy controls and in patients 6-12 months after surgery. Results: Among controls, hypocalcemia elicited a major rise in intact PTH (iPTH) levels 4 minutes after bicarbonate infusion. In patients, a significant decrease in ionized calcium concentration was observed [from 1.17 ± 0.12 to 1.09 ± 0.11 mean (± SE) mmol/L] in the 4th minute (p < 0.001) illustrating the nadir point. In the 10thminute, ionized calcium did not show a statistical increase compared to the 4th minute (p = 0.451). The iPTH levels ranged from 34.8 ± 18.6 to 34.1 ± 18.8 pg/mL (similar values between base line and 4thminute p = 0.087) and did not change in the 10th minute (33.3 ± 19,6 pg/ mL p = 0.693). Conclusion: Among CKD patients tested 6-12 months after surgery, grafted parathyroid tissue revealed a blunted secretory capacity during bicarbonate induced hypocalcemia with no changes in iPTH levels

A vitamina D é essencial para a manutenção da saúde. A sua fonte principal é a pele ou pode ser ingerida com a dieta. A maioria dos seres humanos depende da exposição solar para adquirir quantidades suficientes de vitamina D. A radiação ultravioleta tipo B transforma o 7-dehidrocolesterol em vitamina D3 (colecalciferol). A época do ano, latitude, pigmentação da pele, idade e uso de filtros solares são fatores que influenciam a produção cutânea. Deficiência de vitamina D pode causar raquitismo e osteomalacia, exacerbar a perda óssea na osteoporose, como também pode associar-se a várias morbidades como doenças cardiovasculares, diabetes mellitus tipo 1 e 2, câncer de próstata e de intestino grosso. A prevalência de hipovitaminose D tem sido relatada com grande freqüência mesmo em regiões de baixa latitude e deve ser considerada na avaliação da osteoporose. Embora a deficiência severa levando a osteomalacia possa ser vista raramente no Brasil, evidências se acumulam da freqüente ocorrência de deficiência subclínica, especialmente em idosos.

Vitamin D is essential for the maintenance of good health. Its sources can be skin production and diet intake. Most humans depend on sunlight exposure (UVB 290315 nm) to satisfy their requirements for vitamin D. Solar ultraviolet B photons are absorbed by the skin, leading to transformation of 7-dehydrocholesterol into vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Season, latitude, time of day, skin pigmentation, aging, sunscreen use, all influence the cutaneous production of vitamin D3. Vitamin D deficiency not only causes rickets among children but also precipitates and exacerbates osteoporosis among adults and causes the painful bone disease osteomalacia. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk for other morbidities such as cardiovascular disease, type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancer, especially of the colon and prostate. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is considerable even in low latitudes and should be taken into account in the evaluation of postmenopausal and male osteoporosis. Although severe vitamin D deficiency leading to rickets or osteomalacia is rare in Brazil, there is accumulating evidence of the frequent occurrence of subclinical vitamin D deficiency, especially in elderly people.