Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (R.E.M.S.): New Frontiers for Ultrasound Use in the Assessment of Bone Status—A Current Picture

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a frequently occurring skeletal disease, and osteoporosis-related fractures represent a significant burden for healthcare systems. Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) is the most commonly used method for assessing bone mineral density (BMD). Today, particular attention is being directed towards new technologies, especially those that do not use radiation, for the early diagnosis of altered bone status. Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) is a non-ionizing technology that evaluates the bone status at axial skeletal sites by analyzing raw ultrasound signals. In this review, we evaluated the data on the REMS technique present in the literature. The literature data confirmed diagnostic concordance between BMD values obtained using DXA and REMS. Furthermore, REMS has adequate precision and repeatability characteristics, is able to predict the risk of fragility fractures, and may be able to overcome some of the limitations of DXA. In conclusion, REMS could become the method of choice for the assessment of bone status in children, in women of childbearing age or who are pregnant, and in several secondary osteoporosis conditions due to its good precision and replicability, its transportability, and the absence of ionizing radiation. Finally, REMS may allow qualitative and not just quantitative assessments of bone status.

The effects of vitamin D supplementation on serum lipid profiles in people with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…Third, increasing vitamin D serum levels may improve TG and HDL in people with T2D. Vitamin D deficiency potentially impacts the functioning of beta cells and insulin resistance, consequently affecting lipoprotein metabolism and leading to elevated TG levels and decreased HDL levels (58). Lastly, vitamin D may reduce TG levels by regulating parathyroid hormone (PTH).…”

“…Lastly, vitamin D may reduce TG levels by regulating parathyroid hormone (PTH). The elevation of PTH levels may lead to an increase in the production of TG, and the presence of vitamin D inhibits the secretion of PTH in the bloodstream (58,59).…”