Age-related changes of renal osteodystrophy.

Bone changes in 138 patients under hemodialysis were evaluated by radiological methods. Bone mass as was assessed by clavicular score was reduced in patients with chronic renal failure compared with control subjects, especially in male patients, and showed the gradual decrease with aging in both sexes. The incidence of disappearance of lamina dura and that of vascular calcification increased with aging in chronic renal failure. Although serum PTH did not show much difference among various age groups, serum CT and calcium were significantly elevated in 20--24 years of age group compared with other age groups. The etiology of decrease of bone mass in male subjects was discussed from the standpoint of decreased gonadal activity.