Low bone density in patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the frequency and severity of low bone mineral density (BMD) among patients enrolled in a methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program and to ascertain risk factors for low BMD in this population.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Data derived from standardized survey, medical record review, and dual energy X-ray densitometry (DXA).


RESULTS
DXA results were below normal in 83% (76/92) of the study sample with T-scores < -2.5 (osteoporosis range) in 35% [32/92] and between -1.0 and -2.5 (osteopenia range) in 48% [44/92]. Risk factors for low BMD were common: tobacco use, 91%; heavy alcohol use, 52%; and HIV infection, 28%. Only 17% (16/92) were on medications that lower the risk of osteoporosis: estrogen (n = 5), testosterone (n = 4), calcium (n = 4), and Vitamin D (n = 2). None of the participants reported a known diagnosis of osteoporosis. In bivariate analyses, significant predictors of low BMD were: male gender (p < 0.001), lower weight (p = 0.009), and heavy alcohol use (p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
More than three quarters of this sample of patients in a MMT program had low BMD. Treatable conditions associated with low BMD were commonplace. Efforts to increase awareness of low BMD in MMT patients should be considered so that effective treatment may be employed to lower future fracture risk.
Kim
Theresa W
TW
Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston, MA 02131, USA. theresa.kim@bmc.org
Alford
Daniel P
DP
Malabanan
Alan
A
Holick
Michael F
MF
Samet
Jeffrey H
JH
D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology
D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone