FREQUENCY OF RENAL OSTEODISTROPHY IN CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

In this study, a total of 111 chronic hemodialysis patients (53 male and 58 female) whose ages ranged from 11-75 years were studied in terms of renal osteodistrophy (ROD). Parameters investigated included dialysis age, symptomatology (itching , muscle weakness, extensive bone ache, spontaneous fracture), biochemistry (serum Cα, P, alk. phosphatase, PTH, serum aluminum levels) and radiology (Direct radiography and quantitative computerised tomography assisted bone mineral density measurements). While serum Cα, P, alk. phosphatase and PTH values were not found to be significantly different in all dialysis age groups, the serum aluminum level was found to be singificantly related to dialysis age. The most commonly observed finding on direct radiography was osteoporosis and this finding was found in 45% of cases. However, osetoporosis on bone mineral density measurements through computerized tomography was found to be present in 26% of cases. In the follow-up of these patients, bone mineral density measurements are of greater value.