Bone Quality Test (BQT) scores of fingernails in postmenopausal patients treated with adjuvant letrozole or tamoxifen for early breast cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The relationship between nail and bone may be measurable, thus making the fingernail a potentially valuable tool for assessing bone health for women receiving treatment for breast cancer. In the BIG 1-98 Fingernail Pilot Substudy, Bone Quality Test (BQT) scores of fingernails were measured at two assessment timepoints.

Methods

Thirteen eligible patients were enrolled into the substudy during their treatment with tamoxifen (four patients) or letrozole (nine patients). Two fingernails were tested and BQT scores averaged for two assessments six months apart.

Results

BQT scores collected six months later (second assessment) significantly decreased compared with those at first collection (p=0.007) regardless of treatment and prior fracture.

Conclusion

The

SUBMITTER: Sun Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3588857 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature