Evaluation of Association Studies and an Updated Meta-Analysis of VDR Polymorphisms in Osteoporotic Fracture Risk

Background: Several studies have examined the association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms and osteoporotic fracture risk; however, the results are not uniform. Furthermore, many new articles have been published, and therefore, an updated meta-analysis was performed to further explore these issues.Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the association between VDR, BsmI, ApaI, TaqI, FokI, and Cdx2 polymorphisms and osteoporotic fracture risk.Methods: The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the association between VDR BsmI, ApaI, TaqI, FokI, and Cdx2 polymorphisms and the risk of osteoporotic fracture. We also used the false-positive reporting probability (FPRP) test and the Venice criteria to evaluate the credibility of the statistically significant associations.Results: Overall, this study found that the VDR ApaI and BsmI polymorphisms significantly increased the risk of osteoporotic fracture in European countries and America, respectively. However, when sensitivity analysis was performed after excluding low-quality and Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium (HWD) studies, it was found that only individuals with the double-mutated genotype have an increased risk of osteoporotic fracture in European countries. In addition, when the credibility of the positive results was assessed, it was found that the positive results were not credible.Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicates that there may be no significant association among the polymorphisms of VDR BsmI, ApaI, TaqI, FokI, and Cdx2 and the risk of osteoporotic fracture. The increased risk of osteoporotic fracture is most likely due to false-positive results.

Vibration therapy as an intervention for enhancing trochanteric hip fracture healing in elderly patients: a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background There are more than 300,000 hip fractures yearly in the USA with mortality rates of 20% within 1 year. The treatment of osteoporotic fractures is a major challenge as bone quality is poor, and healing is expected to delay due to the impaired healing properties with respect to bone formation, angiogenesis, and mineralization. Enhancement of osteoporotic fracture healing and function is therefore critical as a major goal in modern fracture management. Previous pre-clinical studies have shown that low-magnitude high-frequency vibration (LMHFV) accelerates osteoporotic fracture healing. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of LMHFV on accelerating trochanteric hip fracture healing and functional recovery. Methods This is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effect of LMHFV in accelerating trochanteric hip fracture healing. All fractures undergo cephalomedullary nail fixation. The primary outcome of this study is time to fracture healing by X-ray. Computed tomography (CT) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) will also be performed. Blood circulation at the fracture site will be assessed by dynamic perfusion magnetic resonance (MR). Clinical results include functional recovery by muscle strength, timed up and go test (TUG), quality of life questionnaire (SF-36), balancing, falls, and mortality. Discussion Previous animal studies have demonstrated LMHFV to improve both normal and osteoporotic fracture healing by accelerating callus formation and mineralization. The mechanical stimulation stimulates angiogenesis by significantly enhancing vascular volume and blood flow velocity. This is the first study to translate LMHFV to enhancing hip fracture healing clinically. Positive results would provide a huge impact in the recovery of hip fracture patients and save healthcare costs. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04063891. Registered on August 21, 2019