AB0609 RADIOFREQUENCY ECHOGRAPHIC MULTI-SPECTROMETRY FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF BOTH FEMORA IN PREGNANT WOMEN
Authors: E. Kirilova, N. Kirilov, S. Vladeva
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2021)

Background: Radiofrequency Echographic Multi-Spectrometry (REMS) is a non-ionizing innovative approach for the assessment of REMS- based bone mineral density (BMD) of the axial skeleton. The principle of the REMS technology is based on the analysis of native raw unfiltered ultrasound signals during an echographic scan of the lumbar spine or the femoral neck [1]. Several studies demonstrated the high concordance with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in terms of measured BMD with this novel technology [2,3]. In previous published literature it was envisaged to apply this technology for the examination of the axial bone density in pregnant women. Pregnancy-associated bone loss has been demonstrated as decreased bone mineral density (BMD) in previous studies [4]. Objectives: The aim of the current study is to compare the BMD values of both femora between pregnant and non-pregnant women matched for age and BMI using the novel REMS technology. Methods: Of total fifty women twenty pregnant women (40%) and thirty non-pregnant women (60%) were included in the study. The mean age of the pregnant women was 32 years ± 5 standard deviations (SD), (range 25-41 years) and the mean age of the non-pregnant women was 30 years ± 6 standard deviations (SD), (range 24-39 years). REMS approach was used to assess REMS- based BMD and REMS- based Z-score values of the femoral neck. Furthermore, body mass index (BMI) and gestational age in weeks were evaluated. Results: The mean BMI of the pregnant women was 26 kg/m 2 ± 7 kg/m 2 (range 14 kg/m 2 -42 kg/m 2 ) and those of the non-pregnant women was 25 kg/m 2 ± 5 kg/m 2 (range 16 kg/m 2 -35 kg/m 2 ). The mean gestational age was 20 weeks’ gestation ± 5 weeks’ gestation (range 13-27 weeks’ gestation). REMS- based mean BMD of the left femoral neck of the pregnant women was 0.793 g/cm 2 ± 0.167 g/cm 2 (range 0.563 g/cm 2 -1.154 g/cm 2 ). REMS- based mean BMD of the right femoral neck of the pregnant women was 0.828 g/cm 2 ± 0.153 g/cm 2 (range 0.570 g/cm 2 -1.161 g/cm 2 ). After comparing left femoral neck BMD with the right femoral neck BMD of the pregnant women, we found a linear correlation (R=0.764). Left femoral neck BMD value (0.793 g/cm 2 ) of the pregnant women was significantly lower than those of the non-pregnant women (0.854 g/cm 2 ), p=0.002. The mean left femoral Z-score of the pregnant women (-0.1 SD with range -2.5 SD-2.9 SD) was also significantly lower compared to those of the non-pregnant women (1.2 SD with range -1.5 SD-3.1 SD), p=0.003. Conclusion: This is the first study which provides data about BMD and Z-score values of both femora in pregnant women assessed with the radiation-free REMS technology. Pregnant women demonstrated significantly lower femoral neck BMD values and Z-scores compared to those of the non-pregnant women. Innovative REMS method could be very helpful for making decision about the treatment of pregnant women who are at risk of lower BMD due to concomitant diseases and/or treatment associated with osteoporosis. References: [1]Casciaro S, Conversano F, Pisani P, Muratore M. New perspectives in echographic diagnosis of osteoporosis on hip and spine. Clin Cases Miner Bone Metab. 2015; 12(2):142-150. [2]Nikolov M, Nikolov N. AB0908 Assessment of the impact of the lean mass with body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry on the bone mineral density. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2020; 79:1756. [3]Chakova M., Chernev D., Kashukeeva P., Krustev P., Abedinov F. Lumbar Sympathectomy - Literature Review. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) Volume 7 Issue 8, August 2018 ISSN (Online): 2319-7064. [4]Degennaro, V. A.; Cagninelli, G.; Lombardi, F. A. “VP34.12: First assessment of maternal status during pregnancy by means of radiofrequency echographic multi-spectrometry technology”. Ultrasound in Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology. 2020, 56 (S1): 199. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.