Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Previous audits demonstrated low bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescent patients with hormone deficiencies. We wanted to ascertain if gender had any relationship with the development of low BMD.

Method: A retrospective analysis of 42 transitional clinic patients who underwent DEXA scanning was made using case notes and hospital systems. Follow-up data was gathered as previous audit of 25 transitional patients had shown a significant number to have low BMD.

Results: A total of 42 patient records were accessed, of these 33 patients were male. Mean age for both genders was 21. Age range at baseline was 16–21 years for male and 17–20 years for females. Twenty males (60.6%) and n=7 (77.7%) females had low BMD at baseline scans. There were 16 patients (n=13 male) in whom only lumbar spine was reported due to absence of age match control for femoral neck.

Of the 27 patients found to have low baseline BMD’s, n=15 (75%) males and n=3 (42.8%) females were treated with combination of bisphosphonate and calcium/vit D supplements. n=1 female and n=1 male received calcium/vit D only. eight (n=4 female) were untreated.

Fourteen patients with low baseline BMD’s (n=3 female) had follow-up scans. In the group treated with combination of bisphosphonate and calcium/vit D supplement, nine (n=eight males) demonstrated improved BMD when rescanned. n=2 males and n=1 female showed no improvement and n=2 (one male) showed reduction in BMD. Three male patients had normal baseline BMD’s and there was no change in the intervening 2–4 years.

Conclusion: Two-thirds of the patients attending transitional clinic were found to have low BMD’s. Baseline scans would suggest that females in this age group have a higher risk of developing low BMD. In those patients who received combination of bisphosphonate and calcium/vit D; 64% males and 33% females showed improvement in BMD when rescanned.