(Background) To determine what factors contribute to and change BMD in dialysis patients.
(Methods) Bone parameters, namely, osteosono-assessment index (caluculated by speed of sound and transmission index) were measured at calcaneus bone by ultrasonic bone absorptiometry with an Aloka Acoustic Osteoscreener (Model AOS-100). Seventy two patients were 62. 8±10.5 years of age (mean±SD) (range 36-81) and 70.8% were males; the patients had received dialytic therapy for 52.7±41.7 months (range 2-205). The effects of sex, age, height, weight, postmenoposal years, dialysis duration, various blood parameters, oral phosphorus binding agent (CaCO₃ dosage) and oral vitamin D₃ treatment (D₃ dosage) on BMD were assessed statistically.
(Result) BMD in male patients were significantly higher than those in female patients (Mann-Whitney test, p<0.01). BMD showed significant correlations with age (Spearman's correlation coefficient r=-0.384, p<0.01), height (r=0.479, p<0.00001), postmenoposal years (r=-0.692, p<0.05), dialysis duration (r=0.250, p<0.01), blood Ca level (r=0.292, p<0.05) and CaCO₃ dosage, postmenoposal years and dialysis duration were the variables that significantly correlated with the BMD (multiple correlation coefficient=0.646).