Relationships between physical activity and metacarpal cortical bone mass and bone resorption in hemiplegic patients.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between physical activity and metacarpal cortical bone mineral density (BMD) and bone resorption in hemiplegic patients. Seventy-two male hemiplegic patients with cerebrovascular disease (mean age, 67.0 years; range 48-83 years) were recruited. Metacarpal cortical BMD in bilateral hands was measured by computed X-ray densitometry, and the levels of urinary cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx), as a bone resorption marker, were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). BMD (mean +/- SD) in the paralyzed hand was significantly lower than that in the nonparalyzed hand (2.52 +/- 0.46 and 2.64 +/- 0.45 mmAl; P < 0.05). On multiple regression analysis, BMD was significantly positively correlated with Brunnstrom stage (assessment of degree of paralysis) in the hand (P < 0.05), whereas urinary NTx levels were significantly negatively correlated with Brunnstrom stage in the hand, arm, and leg, and with walking ability (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01, respectively). These findings suggest that, in male hemiplegic patients, although metacarpal cortical BMD may be affected by only local physical activity, urinary NTx appears to be responsive to local and general physical activity.