No abstract

Background This study was carried out to achieve an Egyptian expert consensus on a treat-to-target management strategy for osteoporosis using Delphi technique. A scientific committee identified researchers and clinicians with expertise in osteoporosis in Egypt. Delphi process was implemented (2 rounds) to establish a consensus on 15 clinical standards: (1) concept, (2) diagnosis, (3) case identification, (4) whom to treat, (5) who should treat?, (6) case stratification and intervention thresholds, (7) falls risk, (8) investigations, (9) treatment target, (10) management, (11) optimum treatment duration, (12) monitoring, (13) drug holiday, (14) osteoporosis in men, and (15) post-fracture care and fracture liaison service. Results The surveys were sent to an expert panel (n = 25), of whom 24 participated in the two rounds. Respondents were drawn from different governorates and health centres across Egypt including the Ministry of Health. Most of the participants were rheumatologists (76%), followed by internists (8%), orthopaedic doctors (4%), rehabilitation doctors (4%), primary care (4%), and ortho-geriatrics (4%) physicians. Seventy-two recommendations, categorised into 15 sections, were obtained. Agreement with the recommendations (rank 7–9) ranged from 83.4 to 100%. Consensus was reached (i.e. ≥ 75% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed) on the wording of all 15 clinical standards identified by the scientific committee. An algorithm for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis has been suggested. Conclusion A wide and representative panel of experts established a consensus regarding the management of osteoporosis in Egypt. The developed guidelines provide a comprehensive approach to the assessment and management of osteoporosis for all Egyptian healthcare professionals who are involved in its management.

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of this study was to reach a consensus on an updated version of the recommendations for the diagnosis and Treat-to-Target management of osteoporosis that is effective and safe for individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) G4-G5D/kidney transplant. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Delphi process was implemented (3 rounds) to establish a consensus on 10 clinical domains: (1) study targets, (2) risk factors, (3) diagnosis, (4) case stratification, (5) treatment targets, (6) investigations, (7) medical management, (8) monitoring, (9) management of special groups, (10) fracture liaison service. After each round, statements were retired, modified, or added in view of the experts’ suggestions, and the percent agreement was calculated. Statements receiving rates of 7–9 by more than 75% of experts’ votes were considered as achieving consensus. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The surveys were sent to an expert panel (<i>n</i> = 26), of whom 23 participated in the three rounds (2 were international experts and 21 were national). Most of the participants were rheumatologists (87%), followed by nephrologists (8.7%), and geriatric physicians (4.3%). Eighteen recommendations, categorized into 10 domains, were obtained. Agreement with the recommendations (rank 7–9) ranged from 80 to 100%. Consensus was reached on the wording of all 10 clinical domains identified by the scientific committee. An algorithm for the management of osteoporosis in CKD has been suggested. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> A panel of international and national experts established a consensus regarding the management of osteoporosis in CKD patients. The developed recommendations provide a comprehensive approach to assessing and managing osteoporosis for all healthcare professionals involved in its management.

Cryst. Res. Technol. 34 1999 1 119-126 Sn-10 %Sb alloy was casted from the liquid state, drawn into wires of 0.55 mm in diameter or rolled into sheet of 0.2 mm thick. The as received as well as the heat treated specimens were examined by metallurgical microscope. Room temperature creep tests at constant loads were also carried out. The results obtained show that increasing annealing temperature, T a , affects the structure and properties of the alloy. The increase of T a leads to smaller SnSb particle size, therefore results in increasing its mechanical strength as measured by the decrease in steady state creep rate of specimen. The stress exponent parameter (m) calculated from the equation ε ú S = A σ m was found to have higher values than usual and to decrease by increasing annealing temperature which was related to the associated decrease of the SnSb particle size.

Cryst. Res. Technol. 341999 1 119-126Sn-10 %Sb alloy was casted from the liquid state, drawn into wires of 0.55 mm in diameter or rolled into sheet of 0.2 mm thick. The as received as well as the heat treated specimens were examined by metallurgical microscope. Room temperature creep tests at constant loads were also carried out. The results obtained show that increasing annealing temperature, T a , affects the structure and properties of the alloy. The increase of T a leads to smaller SnSb particle size, therefore results in increasing its mechanical strength as measured by the decrease in steady state creep rate of specimen. The stress exponent parameter (m) calculated from the equation ε ú S = A σ m was found to have higher values than usual and to decrease by increasing annealing temperature which was related to the associated decrease of the SnSb particle size.