Factors affecting bone mineral density in adults with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify factors affecting bone mineral density (BMD) in adults with cerebral palsy (CP).


METHODS
Thirty-five patients with CP participated in this study. Demographic data including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), subtype according to neuromotor type and topographical distribution, ambulatory function, and functional independence measure (FIM) were investigated. The BMD of the lumbar spine and femur were measured using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the factors affecting BMD were analyzed.


RESULTS
The BMD had no significant association with factors such as gender, age, and subtype in adults with CP. However, BMI was significantly correlated with the BMD of lumbar spine and femur (p<0.05). The FIM score was also positively correlated with the BMD of femur (p<0.05). Moreover, CP patients with higher ambulatory function had significantly higher BMD of femur (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that BMI and functional levels such as FIM and ambulatory function can affect BMD in adults with CP. The results might be used as basic data, suggesting the importance of treatment including weight bearing exercise and gait training in adults with CP.
Department and Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
Young Kwon
YK
Yoon
Ae Ryoung
AR
Kim
On Yoo
OY
Kim
Kilchan
K
Lee
Young Joo
YJ
Suh
Sung-Rae
SR
Cho
Adult; Body mass index; Bone mineral density; Cerebral palsy; Functional level