The DigiWalker pedometer offers an informed choice of a comparatively inexpensive method of obtaining some measurement of physical activity .
The HAES represents an informed choice of question naire to assess physical activity .
There is insufficient data to recommend the use of one diary over another .
Osteoporosis and osteopenia in adults and adolescents with cystic fibrosis: prevalence and associated factors
BACKGROUND Patients with cystic fibrosis ( CF ) have many risk factors for reduced bone mineral density ( BMD ) . The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in a large cross section of patients and to identify risk factors . METHODS All patients attending the regional centre were invited to participate in the study . Bone mineral density was measured at the lumbar spine , femoral neck , and for total body with a Lunar DPX-L densitometer . Multiple indices of disease severity were investigated , and liver and thyroid function , blood calcium , phosphate , 25-OH vitamin D , follicle stimulating and luteinising hormone , oestradiol , and testosterone levels were measured . Patients completed a four day prospect i ve dietary diary . Exercise was assessed by a seven day activity recall question naire .  Sexual development and treatment histories were obtained . The relationship between all these variables and BMD measurements was analysed . RESULTS Sixty six percent of 114 patients assessed had osteopenia or osteoporosis . The Shwachman-Kulczycki ( SK ) clinical score ( higher score = less severe disease ) correlated significantly with BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck , and with total body BMD ( p<0.001 ) . There was a predicted increase of 0.0032 g/cm2 in lumbar spine BMD for every unit increase in the SK score . Oral steroid use was significantly associated with reduced BMD at the lumbar spine ( p = 0.017 ) and femoral neck ( p = 0.027 ) . CONCLUSIONS Osteopenia and osteoporosis are common findings in a heterogeneous population of adults with CF . Patients at most risk are those with severe disease and those who have used corticosteroids
The DigiWalker pedometer offers an informed choice of a comparatively inexpensive method of obtaining some measurement of physical activity .
The HAES represents an informed choice of question naire to assess physical activity .
There is insufficient data to recommend the use of one diary over another .