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7 Gene Regions Tied to Osteoporosis
April 29, 2008 -- Your genes may affect your odds of developing osteoporosis, and now scientists have seven new leads on which genes affect osteoporosis risk.
It's too early for a gene test to gauge osteoporosis risk, but researchers are working toward that goal.
The new clues about the genetics of osteoporosis come from two new studies, which together included more than 18,500 British, European, and Australian adults of European descent.
Seven gene variants stood out.
One study, published in The Lancet's advance online edition, notes two variants linked to increased risk of osteoporosis and osteoporosis-related bone fractures.
The other study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine's advance online edition, identifies five other genetic variants associated with bone mineral density. In osteoporosis, bone mineral density is dangerously low, making bones vulnerable to fracture.
Those discoveries may be just the tip of the iceberg.
In both studies, the gene variants only accounted for a small portion of the variation among participants. Other genes probably also affect osteoporosis risk and bone mineral density, note the researchers; editorialists who reviewed their work agree.
Further research is also needed to hunt for osteoporosis gene patterns in people of other ethnic backgrounds.
When it comes to osteoporosis, genes are just one part of the picture. Other factors -- including diet, weight-bearing exercise, smoking, and age -- also count.
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VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
Taking Vitamin D and Calcium Together
Osteoporosis specialist Dr. Ethel Siris on why it's so important to take calcium with Vitamin D.
