CHANGES IN BONE-MINERAL CONTENT EVALUATED BY PHOTON-ABSORPTIOMETRY BEFORE THE START OF ACTIVE UREMIA TREATMENT

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 16  (3) , 126-130
Abstract
Bone mineral content (BMC) in the forearm was evaluated by photon absorptiometry in 74 of 198 patients started on active uremia treatment between 1973-1979. The BMC was measured repeatedly up to 24 mo. prior to and 15 mo. after the start of regular hemodialysis (RDT). The mean change per month was 0.43% before the start and +0.08% after the start, showing that RDT patients have low BMC chiefly because they lose mineral before the start of active uremia treatment. Patients not given extra Ca and/or vitamin D seemed to lose mineral faster than those given this treatment. The mineral content was lower in patients with polycystic kidney disease than glomerulonephritis.