Endocrine Abstracts

Kidney transplant patients are prone to metabolic bone diseases. In this descriptive clinical study we aimed to evaluate the incidence of osteopenia osteoporosis, vertebral fractures in our group of renal transplant patients.

Methods: Eighty seven patients (25 males and 62 females) aged from 20 to 67 years, who had undergone kidney transplantation 1 to 20 yrs. previously included in the study. Bone mineral densitometry was performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, Thoracolumbar lateral vertebral X-ray evaluated for fracture according to Genant classification. Serum parathormone (PTH), 25OH vitamin D, calcium, phosphate, Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured.

Results: The incidence of osteoporosis was 26% (23 of 87 patients).and osteopenia was 52.8% (46 of 87 patients). Vertebral fracture was observed in 28.8% of the patients in thoracolumbar lateral vertebral X-ray evaluation. Serum Ca and P levels were in normal range while PTH levels were elevated and 25OH vitamin D levels were in deficient range. Vertebral fractures mostly observed in patients with osteopenia (17.2%). A negative correlation with post-transplantation duration with serum PTH levels (r: −0.16 P<0.05) and femur neck BMD (r:−0.24, P<0.03) was observed. Femur and lumbar 1-4 BMD levels were negatively correlated with serum LH and FSH levels (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Vertebral fractures observed more frequently in osteopenic group of renal transplant patients. Besides the BMD evaluation, vertebral fracture evaluation may help to make a proper therapy decision for metabolic bone disease in kidney transplant receipents