Bone Mineral Loss during Maintenance Hemodialysis

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Abstract
To investigate bone mineral loss during maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), bone mineral content (BMC) was measured by means of 2-dimensional scanning photon absorptiometry in 47 chronic renal failure patients on MHD: 13 females (age range 22-50 yr, mean dialysis duration 189 days) and 34 males (age range 23-69 years, mean dialysis duration 449 days). Measurements were carried out in most patients 3 times at an interval of 6 mo. Initial mean BMC values were for both sexes significantly lower than normal, but did not correlate to duration of MHD. The longitudinal measurements demonstrated a highly significant decrease in BMC with time. The mean BMC values after 6 and 12 mo., respectively, were for females 95.8 and 93.4% and for males 97.3 and 94.4% of the initial values with no significant differences between sexes. The fall in BMC did not correlate to duration of MHD, initial BMC value, or age. In some of the patients a substantial loss of BMC was observed, and these patients in particular may develop severe bone disease. A BMC method with high precision is mandatory for selection of such patients.