Osteoporosis frequently remains underrecognized and undertreated in men. Most osteoporosis-related fractures could be prevented if men at risk would be diagnosed, treated, and remained compliant with therapy. Bisphosphonates, the mainstay of osteoporosis treatment, are potent antiresorptive agents that inhibit osteoclast activity, suppress in vivo markers of bone turnover, increase bone mineral density, decrease fractures, and likely improve survival in men with osteoporosis. The focus of the article is on intravenous zoledronic acid, which may be a preferable alternative to oral bisphosphonate therapy in patients with cognitive dysfunction, the inability to sit upright, polypharmacy, significant gastrointestinal pathology or suspected medication noncompliance. Zoledronic acid is approved in the United States (US) and European Union (EU) as an annual 5 mg intravenous infusion to treat osteoporosis in men. The zoledronic acid 4 mg intravenous dose has been studied in the prevention of bone loss associated with androgen deprivation therapy. This article reviews the evidence for zoledronic acid, currently the most potent bisphosphonate available for clinical use, and its therapeutic effects in the treatment of men with osteoporosis.

A considerable proportion of medical patients admitted in European hospitals fulfill criteria for alcohol use disorders. These patients are frequently overlooked during hospitalization and not appropriately registered in medical records. Women, older patients, and inpatients from European areas with high local alcohol use prevalence are at higher risk associated with a non-recording of alcohol use.

Objectives: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology that in 90% of cases affects the lungs. Calcium metabolism testing can be useful in diagnostics. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between calcium metabolism and sarcoidosis form of manifestation/demographic indicators. Material and methods: In a retrospective study medical records of all patients (n = 699) who had been hospitalized with suspected sarcoidosis in a specialized clinic of Riga Eastern Clinical University Hospital during the period from January 1 st , 2013 until December 31 st , 2014 were analyzed. Further analysis included only patients with histologically and/or clinically confirmed sarcoidosis (n = 281). Results: Patients' average age at the time of diagnosis was 39 ±13 years. Elevated serum calcium was observed in 9.9% of cases. A statistically significant correlation was found between serum calcium and age (p < 0.01). There was an association between serum calcium and gender (p < 0.05) -levels were higher in men (2.43 mmol/l) than in women (2.40 mmol/l). Elevated calcium in 24-hour urine was observed in 22.7% of patients. The mean value was 232.3 mg/24 h, levels were higher in men (258.7 mg/24 h) than in women (202.3 mg/24 h), and the association with gender was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Conclusions:We can conclude that in Latvia sarcoidosis affects mostly young and middle-aged people. Both serum calcium and calcium in 24-hour urine are important parameters for sarcoidosis diagnostics. Hypercalcemia was found in 9.9% of patients, hypercalciuria in 22.7% of patients, and both were statistically significantly higher in men, regardless of age.

No abstract

No abstract