Multiple prevalent fractures in relation to macroscopic bone architecture in patients with cystic fibrosis.
The relative risk for bone fractures in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and its relationship to macroscopic bone architecture assessed by pQCT and DXA are incompletely defined.



In a cross-sectional study of 43 CF patients (age, 17.8±6.2years), rate and location of fractures, bone mass, density, geometry, and strength of the radius as well as forearm muscle size were investigated.



The fracture rate in CF was 9.2-fold higher compared to an age-matched German control population. The probability of remaining free of any fracture in CF patients at 25years was reduced to 39.8% compared to 84.6% in controls (P<0.001). Assessment of macroscopic bone architecture by DXA and pQCT allowed the differentiation of patients with multiple prevalent fractures with a high sensitivity (up to 100%) and specificity (up to 94.3%).



Bone densitometry is a useful tool for noninvasive assessment of fracture risk in CF patients.
Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, University Children's Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Electronic address: mirjam.stahl@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
Mirjam
M
Stahl
Department of Pediatric Radiology, University Children's Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Christian
C
Holfelder
Department of Pediatrics I, University Children's Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Carolin
C
Kneppo
Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, University Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 153, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Meinhard
M
Kieser
Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Christian
C
Kasperk
Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany.
Eckhard
E
Schoenau
Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, University Children's Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Olaf
O
Sommerburg
Department of Pediatrics I, University Children's Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Burkhard
B
Tönshoff
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D015519:Bone Density; D002648:Child; D000078331:Correlation of Data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011884:Radius / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
Bone densitometry; Bone disease; Cystic fibrosis; Fracture rate; Macroscopic bone architecture; Noninvasive monitoring