Prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in kidney transplant recipients: Dual-Energy x-ray absorptiometry scan study

• Main Authors: Esra Omar Hameed, Hussein Yousif Sinjari
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2018-01-01
• Series: Medical Journal of Babylon
• Subjects: Iraq; kidney transplant; osteopenia; osteoporosis
• Online Access: http://www.medjbabylon.org/article.asp?issn=1812-156X;year=2018;volume=15;issue=4;spage=267;epage=270;aulast=Hameed
• ISSN: 1812-156X; 2312-6760

Background: Osteoporosis is one of the major bone diseases that affect kidney transplant (KT) recipients; it causes significant long-term morbidity and increases the risk of fractures. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in KT recipients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 70 KT recipients followed in the Nephrology Unit at Hawler Teaching Hospital, Erbil, Iraq, over a period of 6 months from December 15, 2017, to June 14, 2018. All patients were subjected to comprehensive history, clinical examination, relevant investigations, and measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) in the hip and lumbar spines using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. A T-score of –1 to + 1 standard deviation (SD) indicates normal BMD whereas a T-score of −1 to −2.5 SD was considered as osteopenia and T-score of <−2.5 SD was regarded as osteoporosis. Results: Osteoporosis was seen in 52.9% of the studied patients; statistically significant positive associations were detected between osteoporosis and low body mass index (BMI), diabetes mellitus (DM), second KT, pretransplant steroid treatment, and Vitamin D deficiency (P < 0.05), whereas no significant relationship was observed with age, gender, smoking, hypertension, and serum levels of calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone. Conclusion: Osteoporosis is common among KT recipients. Low BMI, Vitamin D deficiency, DM, pretransplant steroid therapy, and second KT are the contributing factors. BMD measurement at pre- and post-transplant period is warranted for early recognition and management of this condition.