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Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence and etiopathogenesis of osteopenia in 41 children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)., Methods: Bone status was evaluated by quantitative ultrasound using a Sunlight Omnisense 7000s Ultrasound Bone Sonometer. Measurements were performed at the distal radius and midshaft tibia. Results were obtained as Speed of sound (SOS) and Z-score. We used standardised clinical evaluation (modified Giannini's criteria, CHAQ). ESR, Fibrinogen, serum calcium, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase, protein electrophoresis, 25-OH vitamin D (RIA) and urinary Hydroxyproline were obtained in all patients. Osteopenia was present in 15 (36.5%) patients. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 13.0., Results: Age, sex, age at onset, disease duration, life standards and duration of corticotherapy and methotrexate treatment were not related to osteopenia in our study. The disease activity, evaluated by clinical criteria, ESR and Fibrinogen, was strongly associated with osteopenia (p<0.001). Nutritional status was an independent risk factor for osteopenia (p<0.001). Low serum calcium (p=0.034), magnesium (p=0.010), 25-OH vitamin D (p=0.091) and alkaline phosphatase (p=0.31) were more frequent in patients with osteopenia. Hydroxyproline was increased in all patients with osteopenia (p<0.001)., Conclusions: Osteopenia was a frequent (36.5%) complication of JIA in our study. The disease activity and nutritional status were the most important risk factors for osteopenia. The increase of bone reabsorption was the main pathogenic mechanism of osteopenia in our study. Calcium and magnesium deficits were related to osteopenia. Decrease of bone synthesis was not associated with osteopenia in the present study.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is characterised by an increased resorption of trabecular bone, a consequence of estrogen deficit. Changes in vitamin D metabolism are also an important contributors to the development of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Vitamin D and its active metabolites (Alfacalcidol, Calcitriol) perform important functions in regulation of the calcium balance and the bone metabolism. Aim of our study was to determine the efficacy of Alfacalcidol (Alpha D3) in reducing the loss of bone mass. 391 postmenopausal women with osteopenia and 165 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were treated 24 months with Alfacalcidol. The bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by Digital Rx Radiogrammetry (DXR). In osteopenic women treated with 0.5 mg Alfacalcidol, bone mineral density increased after 12 and 24 months with 3.4% and 2.3%. In osteoporotic women the increase of BMD was 1.8% and 2.4% after 12 and respectively 24 months. On the control group BMD decreased with 3.4% after 24 months. In our study Alfacalcidol confirmed the abolishment of the loss of bone mass.

Objective: To evaluate bone status of asthmatic children on chronic inhaled corticoid therapy., Methods: Bone densitometry was performed by Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the distal radius in 74 asthmatic children, evaluating Z-score; serum levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D were measured in 10 cases., Results: 28 of 74 children had osteopenia, defined as Z scores lower than -1. Statistic analyzes showed a significant correlation (p <0.05) of osteopenia with the duration of inhaled corticoid therapy (CSI), the absence of correlation with the dose of CSI, age, sex, severity step and duration of the disease. 25 hydroxyvitamin D was low in 8 of the 10 cases with osteopenia. Osteopenia was present in 7 children who were not under CSI, but have received multiple trials of oral corticoids for severe exacerbations., Conclusions: Osteopenia was present in 52% of children that were under inhaled corticoids for more than 12 months and it correlated with the duration of CSI, but not with the daily dose. Systemic corticoid use is a significant cause of osteopenia in asthmatic children.