Bone density reduction and related factors in renal transplant recipients: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Decrease in Bone Mineral Density (BMD) is one of the complications of kidney transplantation in which many factors are involved. The results of studies are different and contradictory.

Objective: to investigate the prevalence and related factors influencing BMD in renal transplant recipients.

Methods: all kidney recipients (69 patients) referring to the Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital, Ilam, Southwest of Iran, were included between 2016 and 2018. BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck was performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). According to Z- score and T- score, patients were divided into two groups: fewer than 50 and over 50 age years. All demographic, background variables and laboratory parameters were evaluated.  Descriptive statistics and  Binary and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyze.

Results: The overall prevalence of osteoporosis in the femur and lumbar spine was 38% and 32%, respectively. In patients under 50 years, Osteoporosis in the femur showed a significant relationship with vitamin D level and gender. In patients over 50 years, increased age and length of prednisolone consumption were associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and osteopenia in the femoral neck (P <0.05). Moreover, the length of use of prednisolone was associated with osteoporosis in the lumbar spine (RRR=1.02; p <0.05).

Conclusion: various factors such as prednisolone consumption affect BMD reduction in renal transplant recipients. Regular monitoring of BMD, reducing prednisolone dose as much as possible, training on effective supplements, and other preventive and supportive measures can be helpful and necessary.