Evaluation of bone mineral loss in patients with chronic traumatic spinal cord injury in Iran

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2014 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772313Y.0000000192 · Published: January 1, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Nutrition & Dietetics Musculoskeletal Medicine

Simple Explanation

This study investigates bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) in Iran. It aims to identify how factors like age, sex, injury characteristics, and nutrient intake affect bone health in these individuals. The research involved assessing BMD at spinal and femoral sites and analyzing the relationship between various factors and BMD. The study revealed that older male patients showed lower BMD in spinal vertebrae, and male patients with complete spinal cord lesions had significant BMD loss in lumbar vertebrae. Furthermore, spinal BMD reduction was more severe when the injury was above T6. A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (60%) was also observed among the participants. These findings emphasize the importance of considering age, gender, injury level, and duration when assessing bone health in SCI patients. The study also highlights the need for addressing vitamin D deficiency in this population to potentially mitigate bone loss and related complications.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

148 patients with chronic SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Older male patients exhibited lower BMD specifically in spinal vertebrae.
2
Male patients with complete spinal cord lesions experienced significantly greater BMD loss in the lumbar vertebrae.
3
Spinal BMD reduction was more pronounced when the spinal cord injury occurred above the T6 level.

Research Summary

This study assessed bone mineral density (BMD) in Iranian patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), examining the impact of demographic, injury-related, and dietary factors. The research involved measuring BMD at spinal and femoral sites and analyzing associations with variables like age, sex, BMI, injury completeness, and vitamin D levels. Key findings include lower spinal BMD in older males, greater lumbar BMD loss in males with complete SCI, and more severe spinal BMD reduction with injuries above T6. A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was also noted. The study concludes that age, gender, injury characteristics, and vitamin D status are important factors affecting BMD in SCI patients. The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency warrants attention and potential intervention.

Practical Implications

Targeted Interventions

Implement targeted interventions, such as vitamin D supplementation and weight management programs, for SCI patients at higher risk of bone loss based on age, sex, and injury characteristics.

Clinical Guidelines

Inform the development of clinical guidelines for monitoring and managing bone health in SCI patients, incorporating factors identified in the study as significant predictors of BMD.

Further Research

Encourage further research to investigate the mechanisms underlying bone loss in SCI and to evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions for preventing osteoporosis and fractures in this population.

Study Limitations

1
Cross-sectional design limits the ability to establish causal relationships between variables and bone loss.
2
Relatively small sample size may limit the detection of subtle differences between groups.
3
The study did not evaluate the impact of specific rehabilitation therapies on BMD.

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