Artificial neural network analysis of bone quality DXA parameters response to teriparatide in fractured osteoporotic patients

PLoS One. 2020 Mar 11;15(3):e0229820. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229820. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Teriparatide is a bone-forming therapy for osteoporosis that increases bone quantity and texture, with uncertain action on bone geometry. No data are available regarding its influence on bone strain. To investigate teriparatide action on parameters of bone quantity and quality and on Bone Strain Index (BSI), also derived from DXA lumbar scan, based on the mathematical model finite element method. Forty osteoporotic patients with fractures were studied before and after two years of daily subcutaneous 20 mcg of teriparatide with dual X-ray photon absorptiometry to assess bone mineral density (BMD), hip structural analysis (HSA), trabecular bone score (TBS), BSI. Spine deformity index (SDI) was calculated from spine X-ray. Shapiro-Wilks, Wilcoxon and Student's t test were used for classical statistical analysis. Auto Contractive Map was used for Artificial Neural Network Analysis (ANNs). In the entire population, the ameliorations after therapy regarded BSI (-13.9%), TBS (5.08%), BMD (8.36%). HSA parameters of femoral shaft showed a worsening. Dividing patients into responders (BMD increase >10%) and non-responders, the first presented TBS and BSI ameliorations (11.87% and -25.46%, respectively). Non-responders presented an amelioration of BSI only, but less than in the other subgroup (-6.57%). ANNs maps reflect the mentioned bone quality improvements. Teriparatide appears to ameliorate not only BMD and TBS, but also BSI, suggesting an increase of bone strength that may explain the known reduction in fracture risk, not simply justified by BMD increase. BSI appears to be a sensitive index of TPD effect. ANNs appears to be a valid tool to investigate complex clinical systems.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bone Density / drug effects*
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects*
  • Bone and Bones / ultrastructure
  • Calcium-Regulating Hormones and Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Networks, Computer
  • Osteoporosis / drug therapy*
  • Osteoporotic Fractures / drug therapy*
  • Teriparatide / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Calcium-Regulating Hormones and Agents
  • Teriparatide

Grants and funding

Author LR was formerly working in Politecnico of Turin and is now employed by the commercial company: "TECHNOLOGIC S.r.l”, who provided support in the form of salary for author LR. However, Politenico of Turin and Technologic S.r.l did not have any role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of this author is articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.