Bone mineral density differences between paraplegic and quadriplegic patients: a cross-sectional study.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted by comparing bone mineral density (BMD) of paraplegic and quadriplegic patients.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the bone mineral loss and injury level in spinal cord injury patients.


METHODS
Experiments were conducted at Yoneda Hospital and Research Center of Health, Physical Fitness and Sports, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.


METHODS
Lumbar spine (L2-4), proximal femur (femoral neck, trochanter region and Ward's triangle) and whole body BMD were measured in ten paraplegic and ten quadriplegic patients using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, HITACHI BMD-IX).


RESULTS
Significant differences were observed in the lumbar spine, trochanter region and upper extremities BMD between paraplegic and quadriplegic patients (P<0.05, P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively), but not in the femoral neck, Ward's triangle, head, pelvis, lower extremities or whole body BMD.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the injury level influences on the lumbar spine, upper extremities and trochanter region BMD. From a biomechanical standpoint, it is possible to explain that the differences in mechanical loading exerted on bones also affected the difference of lumbar spine BMD in the two groups.
Tsuzuku
S
S
Department of Epidemiology, National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Aichi, Japan.
Ikegami
Y
Y
Yabe
K
K
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications