Browsing by Author "Lazovic, M. (23497397400)"

Objectives: This randomized study aimed to evaluate the correlation between bone mineral densities (BMD) measured at different sites and the frequency of vertebral fractures in a group of Serbian postmenopausal women. Method: BMD was measured in 130 naïve postmenopausal women by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the ultra-distal part of the forearms, at the hip and at the lumbar spine. At each of the measurement sites, the patients were categorized as osteoporotic, or osteopenic, or in the reference range. Vertebral fractures were examined using thoracic and lumbar spine radiography. Results: A T-score at different skeletal sites showed discordance in the site-specific region. Vertebral fractures were found in 58.82% of patients with hip osteopenia, in 45% with forearm osteopenia and in 54.54% with lumbar spine osteoporosis. Conclusions: The study confirmed that the reduction of BMD depends on age and choice of measurement site. The best correlation was obtained in the women with osteopenia at all measurement sites. The discovery of vertebral fractures by lateral thoracic and lumbar spine radiography improves prompt treatment. Reference values of BMD do not exclude vertebral fractures. Of vertebral fractures, 72.5% were asymptomatic and thus spine radiographies are obligatory. Currently discussed is the position of DXA for measuring BMD as a method of detection for patients at risk of fracture. © 2016 International Menopause Society.

Objective: To estimate whether combination of ibuprofen and paracetamol is more effective than ibuprofen in monotherapy, in the treatment of acute low back pain. Methods: 80 adult patients with acute low back pain were randomized into two subgroups. In the first subgroup, 40 patients were treated with ibuprofen 400mg three times a day (TID), whilst patients in the second subgroup (n=40) were treated with a fixed-dose combination tablet of ibuprofen 200mg plus paracetamol 325mg TID, for three consecutive days. Patients were followed for another 7 days. Efficacy and tolerability of both treatment options was assessed. Results: A statistically significant decrease in pain inten sity, assessed using a visual analogue scale (p<0.001), as well as the 5-point Likert scale, was noticed in both subgroups of patients. However, intensity of pain on Day 4 was significantly lower in patients treated with combined therapy (t=2.05, p=0.045). Considerable improvement in mobility of the lumbar spine was noticed in both subgroups of patients (p<0.001), but at the end of the follow up period, finger- to-floor distance was lower in patients on combined therapy (4.7cm vs. 8.3cm, t=2.27, p=0.03). Improvement of functional ability on Day 4 and Day 10 was significant, regardless of treatment (p<0.001). One patient on combined therapy and two patients on ibuprofen monotherapy reported minor gastric intolerability. Conclusion: Compared to ibuprofen monotherapy, combination of ibuprofen and paracetamol may provide faster and longer analgesia in patients with acute low back pain, with equally favorable effect on mobili - ty and functional ability and similar tolerability.