title: Bone density study at the distal radius, using pQCT analysis, in Greek thalassemic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Expansion of marrow spaces in thalassemia patients contributes to reduced bone density and increased risk of fractures. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) measures the volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) independently in different compartments.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the regional bone structure in thalassemia, we performed pQCT (XCT-2000 Scanner, Stratec Inc.) in 57 young adult patients with beta-thalassemia major, aged 21-44 years (32 females). The vBMDs (total, trabecular, cortical + subcortical), Stress-Strain Index (SSI) and the cross-sectional area (CSA) were determined at the "4% site" of the distal radius; data were compared to reference values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total vBMD, trabecular, cortical plus subcortical vBMD in thalassemics were significantly lower than in healthy adults (p<0.005). Thalassemic males had significant higher values of vBMD, SSI and CSA than females (p<0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Greek thalassemic patients a significant reduction in bone density, associated with increased morbidity and risk of fractures, has been detected on pQCT examination.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Pediatrics, Thalassemia Unit, University of Athens, Greece. thalas@paidon-agiasofia.gr
authors.forename: Vassilis A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Ladis
authors.forename: Nicos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gandaifis
authors.forename: Elias C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.forename: George M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Gavras
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Papassotiriou
authors.forename: Dimitrios S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Korres
authors.forename: Christos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kattamis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011884:Radius / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology