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Abstract Background The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and morbidity of neck pain with or without cervical rhizopathy, upper extremity motor deficit and/or thoracolumbar pain in elderly men. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire study of 3,000 community-dwelling older men with a mean age of 75.4 ± 3.2 years (range 69–81) to determine if they had experienced neck pain with or without cervical rhizopathy/upper extremity motor deficit/thoracolumbar pain (yes/no) during the preceding 12 months, and if so, morbidity with the condition (no/minor/moderate/severe). Results Among the participants, 865 (29%) reported they had experienced neck and 1,619 (54%) thoracolumbar pain. Among the men with neck pain, 59% had experienced only neck pain, 17% neck pain and cervical rhizopathy and 24% neck pain, rhizopathy and motor deficit. For men with only neck pain, the morbidity was severe in 13%, for men with neck pain and rhizopathy it was 24%, and for men with pain, rhizopathy and motor deficit it was 46% (p

ABSTRACT Evidence suggests that single photon absorptiometry (SPA)‐measured forearm bone mineral density (BMD) is lower in contemporary children in Malmö than it was four decades ago, but the fracture incidence in the at‐risk population (all Malmö children) has been stable during the same period. The aim of this study was to evaluate if improvements in skeletal structure over time may explain this observation. In 2017–2018 we measured distal forearm bone mineral content (BMC; mg/cm) and periosteal diameter (mm) in 238 boys and 204 girls aged 7–15 using SPA. Based on the SPA measurements, we calculated forearm BMD (mg/cm2), bone mineral apparent density (BMAD, mg/cm3), section modulus, and strength index (BMAD × section modulus). The results were compared with those derived from measurements of 55 boys and 61 girls of the same ages using the same scanner in 1979–1981. We used log‐linear regression with age, sex, and cohort as predictors to investigate differences in trait trajectories (trait versus age slopes [mean percent difference in beta values (95% confidence interval)]). SPA‐measured forearm BMC was lower at each age in 2017–2018 compared to 1979–1981 (a mean age and sex adjusted relative difference of 9.1%), the forearm BMC trajectory was similar in 2017–2018 to that in 1979–1981 (reference) [0.0%/year (−1.0%, 1.0%)], while the 2017–2018 forearm periosteal diameter trajectory was steeper [1.1%/year (0.3%, 2.0%)]. Since bone size influences both BMD (BMC divided by scanned area) and mechanical characteristics, the forearm BMD trajectory was flatter in 2017–2018 [−1.1%/year (−2.0%, −0.2%)] and the forearm section modulus trajectory steeper [3.9%/year (1.4%, 6.4%)]. Forearm strength index trajectory was similar [1.8%/year (−0.5%, 4.1%)]. The lower SPA‐measured forearm BMD trajectory in contemporary children compared to four decades ago may be offset by changes in forearm bone structure, resulting in similar overall bone strength. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Background and purpose: Information on outcomes after some modern total ankle replacement (TAR) designs is scarce. We therefore examined outcomes after trabecular metal (TM) TAR in Sweden by use of data from the national registry. Patients and methods: On December 31, 2020, 239 primary TM TARs had been reported to the Swedish Ankle Registry. We analyzed prosthesis survival probability, using exchange or permanent extraction of components as endpoint for 239 protheses with mean follow-up of 2.2 years (0.1–6.6), risk of revision, as well as patient-reported outcome measures (SEFAS/EQ-5D/EQ-VAS) and satisfaction with surgery. Results: 7/239 prostheses (3%) had been revised by December 31, 2020. We found an overall prosthesis survival probability of 95% (95% CI 89–98) after 3 years. 2 years after surgery 81% of the answering patients were satisfied or very satisfied with surgery and patients reported median SEFAS 36 (max 48), EQ-5D 0.90 (max 1), and EQ-VAS 80 (max 100). Interpretation: We found short- to mid-term outcomes after TM TAR to be at least as good as after other TAR designs regarding prosthesis survival and patient-reported satisfaction.

Abstract Background The hand is the second most fractured region in children. It is therefore important to update fracture epidemiology to be able to identify time trends for adequate health care planning. This study reports pediatric hand fracture incidence 2014–2016 and, using published data, also long-term time trends in 1950–2016. Patients and methods The Swedish city of Malmö, with 328,494 inhabitants in 2016, has only one hospital. We used the hospital radiological archive, medical charts, and diagnosis registry to identify hand fractures in city residents

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) increases bone mass, especially in late prepuberty and early puberty, but it remains unclear if and how PA affects both bone formation and bone resorption.Materials and MethodsWe included 191 boys and 158 girls aged 7.7 ± 0.6 (mean ± SD) in a population-based PA intervention study. The intervention group (123 boys and 94 girls) received daily physical education (PE) in school (40 min/day; 200 min/week) from study start and during the nine compulsory school years in Sweden. The controls (68 boys and 64 girls) received the national standard of 1–2 classes PE/week (60 min/week). During the intervention, blood samples were collected at ages 9.9 ± 0.6 (n = 172; all in Tanner stages 1–2) and 14.8 ± 0.8 (n = 146; all in Tanner stages 3–5) and after termination of the intervention at age 18.8 ± 0.3 (n = 93; all in Tanner stage 5) and 23.5 ± 0.7 (n = 152). In serum, we analyzed bone formation markers [bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP), osteocalcin (OC), and N-terminal propeptide of collagen type 1 (PINP)] and bone resorption markers [C-terminal telopeptide cross links (CTX) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAcP 5b)]. Linear regression was used to compare age and sex-adjusted mean differences between intervention children and controls in these markers.ResultsTwo years after the intervention was initiated (at Tanner stages 1–2), we found higher serum levels of bALP and OC, and lower serum levels of TRAcP 5b in the intervention compared with the control group. The mean difference (95% CI) was for bALP: 13.7 (2.1, 25.3) μg/L, OC: 9.1 (0.1, 18.1) μg/L, and TRAcP 5b: −2.3 (−3.9, −0.7) U/L. At Tanner stages 3–5 and after the intervention was terminated, bone turnover markers were similar in the intervention and the control children.ConclusionDaily school PA in the late prepubertal and early pubertal periods is associated with higher bone formation and lower bone resorption than school PA 1–2 times/week. In late pubertal and postpubertal periods, bone formation and resorption were similar. Termination of the intervention is not associated with adverse bone turnover, indicating that PA-induced bone mass benefits gained during growth may remain in adulthood.

Background and purpose — We have previously reported on the prosthetic survival of total ankle replacements (TAR) in Sweden performed between 1993 and 2010. Few other reports have been published on 5- and 10-year survival rates. Furthermore, there is a lack of long-term outcome data on modern prosthetic designs. Therefore, we compared early and current prosthetic designs after a mean 7-year follow-up. Patients and methods — On December 31, 2016, 1,230 primary TARs had been reported to the Swedish Ankle Registry. We analyzed prosthetic survival, using exchange or permanent extraction of components as endpoint for 1,226 protheses with mean follow-up of 7 years (0–24). Differences between current (Hintegra, Mobility, CCI, Rebalance, and TM Ankle) and early prosthetic designs (STAR, BP, and AES) were examined by log rank test. Results — 267/1,226 prostheses (22%) had been revised by December 31, 2016. We found an overall prosthetic survival rate at 5 years of 0.85 (95% CI 0.83–0.87), at 10 years 0.74 (CI 0.70–0.77), at 15 years 0.63 (CI 0.58–0.67), and at 20 years 0.58 (CI 0.52–0.65). For early prosthetic designs the 5- and 10-year survival rates were 0.81 (CI 0.78–0.84) and 0.69 (CI 0.64-0.73) respectively, while the corresponding rates for current designs were 0.88 (CI 0.85–0.91) and 0.84 (CI 0.79–0.88). Current prosthetic designs had better survival (log rank test p < 0.001). Interpretation — Our results point to a positive time trend of prosthetic survival in Sweden; use of current prosthetic designs was associated with better prosthetic survival. Improved designs and instrumentation, more experienced surgeons, and improved patient selection may all have contributed to the better outcome.

ABSTRACT Daily school physical activity (PA) improves musculoskeletal traits. Whether or not benefits remain in adulthood is debated. We included in this study 131 children that took part in an intervention with 40 minutes of PA per school day (200 minutes per week) from age 6 to 9 years (grade one) to age 14 to 16 years (grade nine), whereas 78 children continued with national recommended school physical education of 60 minutes per week. Measurements were done with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (bone mineral content [BMC], bone mineral density [BMD], and bone area), and a computerized knee dynamometer (peak torque muscle strength) at study start, at the end of the intervention, and 7 years after the intervention. Group differences from study start and end of the intervention to 7 years thereafter were estimated by analyses of covariance (adjusted for sex and follow‐up time). Musculoskeletal gains from study start to 7 years after termination of the intervention were higher in the intervention group (total body less head BMC +182.5 g [95% confidence interval {CI}, 55.1–309.9] and BMD +0.03 g/cm2 [95% CI, 0.003–0.05], femoral neck area + 0.2 cm2 [95% CI, 0.1–0.4], and knee flexion peak torque muscle strength at 60 degrees per second +9.2 Nm [95% CI, 2.9–15.5]). There was no attenuation during the 7 years that followed termination of the intervention (all group comparisons p > 0.05). Benefits in musculoskeletal gains remain 7 years after termination of a daily school‐based PA program, without attenuation after termination of the program. Daily school PA may counteract low bone mass and inferior muscle strength in adulthood. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

ABSTRACT Screen time and physical inactivity have increased among children. As physical activity is a determinant of bone mass, there is a concern that children today have lower bone mass than earlier. If this is true, fractures may become more common in the future. In 2017–2018, we used single‐photon absorptiometry (SPA) to measure distal forearm bone mineral density (BMD; mg/cm2) in a normative cohort of 238 boys and 204 girls aged 7 to 15 years. We compared these results to BMD in a normative cohort collected in 1979–1981 (55 boys and 61 girls aged 7 to 15 years) measured by the same scanner. To investigate difference between the two cohorts, we used multiple linear regression with age, sex, and cohort as predictors. Predicted bone density at age 16 years was estimated through the slope values. The bone density‐age slope was flatter in the cohort measured in 2017–2018 than in the cohort measured 1979–1981 (−5.6 mg/cm2/yr [95% confidence interval −9.6 to −1.5]). Predicted bone density was at age 16 years in 2017–2018 in boys was 10% lower (−0.9 SD) and in girls 11% lower (−1.1 SD) than in their counterparts measured in 1979–1981. We found indications that children nowadays develop lower bone mass than four decades ago, giving concern that they may have a higher risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures as they grow old. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Background: Age, sex, and body constitution may affect the shedding of membrane bound angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (mACE2) and lead to a relative mACE2 deficiency. However, it is unclear if differences, reflected by serum renin levels, exist in the basal renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) between children and adults, boys, and girls as well as young women and young men. Furthermore, it remains to be investigated if renin and soluble ACE2 (sACE2) levels are correlated with body mass index (BMI) in children and young adults. The aim of this observational study was to assess age-and sex differences in serum renin, and the relationship between renin, soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, and body mass index in a prospectively followed population-based cohort of children which were followed into young adulthood.Study Design: We analyzed renin and sACE2 in serum in a prospectively followed population-based cohort at 9.9 (0.6) [mean (SD)] (n = 173), 11.7 (0.6) (n = 156), 14.8 (0.8) (n = 149), 18.8 (0.3) (n = 93), and 23.5 (0.7) (n = 152) years of age. Height (cm) and weight (kg) was measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight (kg)/height (m)2. Sex-related differences in renin levels were calculated using analysis of covariance, adjusted for age. Correlations were assessed by calculating the correlation coefficient (R2) using a multivariable linear mixed model.Results: Both sexes had low renin levels up to 12 years of age. Thereafter renin levels increased more in boys than in girls. Males from the age of 15 had significantly higher levels than females (p < 0.001). There was a positive linear relationship between renin and sACE2 levels in male and female subjects (p < 0.001), and between sACE2 levels and BMI in males (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Renin levels increase with age, are higher in men than in women since around puberty, and are correlated with sACE2 levels. Furthermore, sACE2 levels are correlated with body mass index in males. These findings indicate that high renin levels in males and females and a high BMI in males may activate pathways which increase the shedding of mACE2, with possible implications for the risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019.

Background and purpose — Arthrodesis is the most common treatment of severe ankle arthritis. Large studies on the occurrence of re-arthrodesis are few, especially with information in terms of risk. We used the National Swedish Ankle Registry to assess incidence and risk factors for re-arthrodesis. Patients and methods — In the Registry, we examined the occurrence of re-arthrodesis in 1,716 patients with a primary ankle arthrodesis. We also analyzed associations between the re-arthrodesis risk and sex, diagnosis, and surgical method. Results — The risk of first re-arthrodesis at 2.5 years was 7.4% and the rate at 9 years 7.8%. The risk following arthroscopic surgery with fixation by screws was 15%, which is statistically significantly higher than the 8% following the gold standard technique with open screw fixation, the 5% following fixation by intramedullary nailing, and the 3% following fixation by plate and screws. Patients with either idiopathic osteoarthritis or posttraumatic arthritis had a higher risk of re-arthrodesis than patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We could not find that the risk of re-arthrodesis was associated with sex. Interpretation — In Sweden, the re-arthrodesis risk varied by primary technique and was especially high after arthroscopic surgery. Reasons are unknown but poor surgical technique and/or surgeon inexperience may contribute, as may patient selection.