Loss of bone mass and vitamin D deficiency after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: standard prophylactic measures fail to prevent osteoporosis Author: Massenkeil G.[1], Fiene C.[1], Rosen O.[1], Michael R.[2], Reisinger W.[3], Arnold R.[1], Correspondence: G Massenkeil* [1]Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Charite, Berlin, Germany, [2]Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Charite, Berlin, Germany, [3]Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Charite, Berlin, Germany, [*]Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Charite, Schumannstrasse 2021, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Fax: +49-30-45 055 3324 Abstract: Bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone metabolism were analyzed in 67 adults with ALL (n = 27), AML (n = 14), MDS (n = 6) and CML (n = 20) before and after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Median age was 36 years (17–56). Twenty-six out of 53 patients (49%) had osteopenia and osteoporosis before SCT, 21/26 had acute leukemias and 5/26 had chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). T-score before SCT was -1.23 in patients with acute leukemias and 0.62 in CML patients (P = 0.001). After SCT, a significant loss of BMD was observed in all patients. After 6 months, 24 of 36 evaluable patients (67%) had pathologic BMD, 11 of them (30%) had developed osteoporosis. After 12 months, 20 of 32 evaluable patients (62%) had BMD values below normal and nine of them (28%) had osteoporosis. Increased pyridinium excretion was observed in 12/20 patients (60%) with acute leukemias, but only in 3/13 (23%) with CML (P = 0.014). A prolonged vitamin D deficiency for more than 6 months developed early after SCT in all patients. Patients with acute leukemias frequently have osteopenia and osteoporosis before SCT. After SCT, a further loss of BMD occurs independent from the underlying disease. Standard prophylactic measures are not sufficient to prevent loss of bone mass. Studies on prophylactic interventions are needed to prevent severe osteoporosis in long-term survivors of SCT. Leukemia (2001) 15, 1701–1705. J Clin Densitometry, 9/02 Bone Marrow recipient Excerpted from Intelihealth.com article, 6/03 Br J Nutr, 10/06 Dietary Animal/Plant Protein & Bone Health J Anticancer Res, 8/05 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.