Bone mineral loss during maintenance hemodialysis.

With the aim of investigating bone mineral loss during maintenance hemodialysis (MDH), bone mineral content (BMC) was measured by means of two-dimensional scanning photon absorptiometry in 47 chronic renal failure patients on MDH: 13 females (age range 22-50 years, mean dialysis duration 189 days) and 34 males (age range 23-69 years, mean dialysis duration 449 days). Measurements were carried out in most patients three times at an interval of 6 months. Initial mean BMC values were for both sexes significantly lower than normal, but did not correlate to duration of MHD. The longitudinal measurements demonstrated a highly significant decrease in BMC with time: the mean BMC values after 6 and 12 months, respectively, were for females 95.8 and 93.4% and for males 97.3 and 94.4% of the initial values with no significant differences between sexes. The fall in BMC did not correlate to duration of MHD, initial BMC value, or age. In some of the patients a substantial loss of BMC was observed, and it is suggested that these patients in particular may develop server bone disease. A BMC method with high precision is mandatory for selection of such patients.