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Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) is a radiation-free, portable technology, which can be used for the assessment and monitoring of osteoporosis at the lumbar spine and femoral neck and may facilitate wider access to axial BMD measurement compared with standard dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).There is a growing literature demonstrating a strong correlation between DXA and REMS measures of BMD and further work supporting 5-year prediction of fracture using the REMS Fragility Score, which provides a measure of bone quality (in addition to the quantitative measure of BMD).The non-ionising radiation emitted by REMS allows it to be used in previously underserved populations including pregnant women and children and may facilitate more frequent measurement of BMD.The portability of the device means that it can be deployed to measure BMD for frail patients at the bedside (avoiding the complications in transfer and positioning which can occur with DXA), in primary care, the emergency department, low-resource settings and even at home.The current evidence base supports the technology as a useful tool in the management of osteoporosis as an alternative to DXA., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: These guidelines aim to provide evidence-based recommendations for the supplementation of Vitamin D in maintaining bone health. An unmet need persists in Latin American regarding the availability of clinical and real-world data for rationalizing the use of vitamin D supplementation. The objective of these guidelines is to establish clear and practical recommendations for healthcare practitioners from Latin American countries to address Vitamin D insufficiency in clinical practice., Methods: The guidelines were developed according to the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT methodology for the adaptation or adoption of CPGs or evidence-based recommendations. A search for high quality CPGs was complemented through a comprehensive review of recent literature, including randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and systematic reviews evaluating the effects of Vitamin D supplementation on bone health. The evidence to decision framework proposed by the GRADE Working Group was implemented by a panel of experts in endocrinology, bone health, and clinical research., Results: The guidelines recommend Vitamin D supplementation for individuals aged 18 and above, considering various populations, including healthy adults, individuals with osteopenia, osteoporosis patients, and institutionalized older adults. These recommendations offer dosing regimens depending on an individualized treatment plan, and monitoring intervals of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and adjustments based on individual results., Discussion: The guidelines highlight the role of Vitamin D in bone health and propose a standardized approach for healthcare practitioners to address Vitamin D insufficiency across Latin America. The panel underscored the necessity for generating local data and stressed the importance of considering regional geography, social dynamics, and cultural specificities when implementing these guidelines., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Guidelines and recommendations developed and endorsed by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) are intended to provide guidance for particular pattern of practice for physicians who usually prescribe glucocorticoid (GC) therapy, and not to dictate the care of a particular patient. Adherence to the recommendations within this guideline is voluntary and the ultimate determination regarding their application should be made by the physician in light of each patient's circumstances. Guidelines and recommendations are intended to promote a desirable outcome but cannot guarantee any specific outcome. This guideline and its recommendations are not intended to dictate payment, reimbursement or insurance decisions. Guidelines and recommendations are subjected to periodic revisions as a consequence of the evolution of medicine, technology and clinical practice. A panel of Latin American (LATAM) experts specialized in osteoporosis with recognized clinical experience in managing patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) met to produce evidence-based LATAM recommendations for the diagnosis and management of GIO. These guidelines are particularly intended to general practitioners and primary care physicians who prescribe GC treatments in LATAM to guide their daily clinical practice in terms of evaluation, prevention and treatment of GIO. These recommendations were based on systematic literature review using MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and COCHRANE Library database during the period from 2012 to 2021. Randomized clinical trials (RCT), systematic reviews of RCT, controlled observational studies, guidelines and consensus were considered. Based on the review and expert opinion the panel members voted recommendations during two successive rounds of voting by panel members. Agreements for each statement were considered if a concordance of at least 70% was achieved following Delphi methodology. Grading of recommendations was made according to the Oxford Centre for the Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) criteria. Among five GIO guidelines and consensus initially identified, two of them (American College of Rheumatology 2017 and the Brazilian Guidelines 2021) were selected for comparison considering the latter as the most current guides in the LATAM region. Based on this methodology fifty statements were issued. All of them but four (1.20, 1.21, 1.23 and 4.2) attained agreement., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

The Latin American Federation of Endocrinology position statement on osteoporosis was developed by endocrinologists from 9 countries. It encompasses the definition, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of the disease, the identification of barriers to healthcare, and proposals to improve the disease care in the region., Introduction: There is a gap in the understanding of osteoporosis in Latin America. The objective of this work is to state the position of the Latin American Federation of Endocrinology on osteoporosis care in postmenopausal women to better bridge this gap., Methods: An experts' panel was formed comprising of 11 endocrinologists from 9 countries. A data search was conducted with a conceptual approach and data selection was based on the hierarchy of the EBHC pyramid. Unpublished data was considered for local epidemiological data and expert opinion for the identification of barriers to healthcare. An expert consensus based on the Delphi methodology was carried out. Experts were asked to respond on a 5-point Likert Scale to two provided answers to guiding questions., Results: Consensus was agreed on the answer for the questions with the higher median on the Likert scale and synthetized on 16 statements covering the definition of osteoporosis, diagnostic approach, treatment options, and follow-up. Besides clinical topics, unmet needs in osteoporosis were identified in relation to local epidemiological data, barriers to treatment, and misclassification of programs within health systems., Conclusions: Through a process based on recognized methodological tools, FELAEN's position on osteoporosis was developed. This made it possible to state an optimum scenario for the care of the disease and helped to identify knowledge gaps. There is great variability in the approach to osteoporosis in Latin America and barriers in all the stages of healthcare persist., (© 2021. International Osteoporosis Foundation and National Osteoporosis Foundation.)

Vitamin D is important for musculoskeletal health. Concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the most commonly measured metabolite, vary markedly around the world and are influenced by many factors including sun exposure, skin pigmentation, covering, season and supplement use. Whilst overt vitamin D deficiency with biochemical consequences presents an increased risk of severe sequelae such as rickets, osteomalacia or cardiomyopathy and usually warrants prompt replacement treatment, the role of vitamin D supplementation in the population presents a different set of considerations. Here the issue is to keep, on average, the population at a level whereby the risk of adverse health outcomes in the population is minimised. This position paper, which complements recently published work from the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases, addresses key considerations regarding vitamin D assessment and intervention from the population perspective. Summary: This position paper, on behalf of the International Osteoporosis Foundation Vitamin D Working Group, summarises the burden and possible amelioration of vitamin D deficiency in global populations. It addresses key issues including screening, supplementation and food fortification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Guidance is provided in an international setting on the assessment and specific treatment of postmenopausal women at low, high and very high risk of fragility fractures. Introduction: The International Osteoporosis Foundation and European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis published guidance for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in 2019. This manuscript seeks to apply this in an international setting, taking additional account of further categorisation of increased risk of fracture, which may inform choice of therapeutic approach. Methods: Clinical perspective and updated literature search. Results: The following areas are reviewed: categorisation of fracture risk and general pharmacological management of osteoporosis. Conclusions: A platform is provided on which specific guidelines can be developed for national use to characterise fracture risk and direct interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article 'Algorithm for the management of patients at low, high and very high risk of osteoporotic fractures',written by J. A. Kanis, was originally published Online First without Open Access. After publication in volume [#], issue [#] and page [#-#], the author decided to opt for Open Choice and to make the article an Open Access publication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]