Influence of androgens on bone mass in young women with sickle cell anemia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between the gender hormonal levels and bone mineral density in premenopausal women suffering with sickle cell disease.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study including consecutive female adult patients with sickle cell anemia attending the outpatient hematology/orthopaedic clinics, or admitted to King Fahd University Hospital, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, between August 2006 and June 2007. Patient's age was documented, and body mass index was calculated. Blood was drawn for complete blood picture, biochemistry, and hormonal profile including total estradiol E2 and total testosterone Te. Bone mineral density BMD was measured for all patients using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan at the hip and lumbar spine.


RESULTS
We analyzed the data of 51 patients with an average age of 26+/-3.1 years. Patients were divided into 2 groups group A and group B. Group A had normal BMD and group B with low BMD. Thirty-one (60.8%) were in group A and 20 (39.2%) were in group B. The E2 level was not statistically different between the 2 groups, while Te level was significantly lower in women with low BMD 38+/-11.8 versus 22.3+/-11.7 ng/dl, p<0.001.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicates that in premenopausal female patients with sickle cell anemia, testosterone may play a role in the preservation of bone mass.
Al-Elq
Abdulmohsen H
AH
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Dammam, & King Fahd University Hospital, Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Al-Turki
Haifa A
HA
Sultan
Osama A
OA
Sadat-Ali
Mir
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D015519:Bone Density; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D013739:Testosterone