Femoral neck bone mineral density in ambulatory men with poliomyelitis

• Published in: Osteoporosis international Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 195 - 200
• Main Authors: Chang, K.-H, Lai, C.-H, Chen, S.-C, Tang, I.-N, Hsiao, W.-T, Liou, T.-H, Lee, C.-M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London London : Springer-Verlag 2011; Springer-Verlag; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon - methods; Adult; Anthropometry - methods; Biological and medical sciences; Bone density; Bone Density - physiology; Case-Control Studies; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; Endocrinology; Exercise - physiology; Femoral neck; Femur Neck - physiopathology; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Leg - growth & development; Leg Length Inequality - complications; Leg Length Inequality - physiopathology; Life Style; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Men; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology; Original Article; Orthopedics; Osteoarticular system. Muscles; osteoporosis; Osteoporosis - etiology; Osteoporosis - physiopathology; Osteoporosis. Osteomalacia. Paget disease; Poliomyelitis; Poliomyelitis - complications; Poliomyelitis - physiopathology; Poliovirus; Prospective Studies; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Rheumatology; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the nervous system; Walking - physiology; Femoral neck; Osteoporosis; Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; Male; Bone mineral density; Poliomyelitis; Human; Nervous system diseases; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Rheumatology; Acute anterior poliomyelitis; Infection; X ray absorption spectrometry; Viral disease; Central nervous system disease; Dual energy absorptiometry; Ambulatory; Spinal cord disease
• ISSN: 0937-941X; 1433-2965; 1433-2965
• DOI: 10.1007/s00198-010-1198-1

Summary We evaluated bilateral femoral neck bone mineral densities (FNBMDs) in 32 men with poliomyelitis and their matched controls. Men with poliomyelitis had significantly lower FNBMD in both legs, and FNBMD was lowest in their shorter legs. Knee extensor strength and regular exercise were important predictive factors associated with decreased FNBMD. Introduction People with poliomyelitis (polio) are prone to leg fractures after mild trauma. The flaccid paralysis, asymmetric involvement, and underdeveloped growth of afflicted legs may lead to osteoporosis of either leg, characterized by different patterns. This study aimed to measure their femoral FNBMD and to explore the factors associated with changes in FNBMD in either leg. Methods We did a prospective study to evaluate bilateral FNBMD with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 32 men with polio (age range, 41-57 years; mean, 47 years) and 32 age- and body mass index-matched controls. Measuring the difference in leg length, we classified the legs of each polio subject as “longer” or “shorter.” In addition, we chose the right leg of each control as a reference leg. We then used the Mann-Whitney U test to compare FNBMD of these three groups of legs and searched for the factors associated with FNBMD using stepwise multiple regression analyses. Results Compared to the reference leg, men with polio had significantly lower FNBMD in both their longer and shorter legs, by 13% and 23%, respectively. The difference in FNBMD between the two legs of polio subjects was significant. Knee extensor strength and regular exercise were two important factors associated with bilateral FNBMD in men with polio. Conclusions Men with polio had lower bilateral FNBMD. FNBMD of the shorter leg should be the choice for predicting the risk of hip fracture in men with polio because on average, the shorter leg has lower BMD.