I-125 photon absorptiometric analysis of bone density in patients with regular dialysis treatment.

The density of bone in the distal third of the radius is measured by I-125 photon absorptiometry in 38 RDT (Regular Dialysis Treatment) patients (19 mean and 19 women, age range from 17 to 65 years). In the majority of patients the bone density (BMC/W) is reduced. The clinical follow-up of dialysis patients demonstrates that the incidence and severity of clinical symtpoms do not always correlate closely with the bone density values, nor with the biochemistry and histopathological findings of bone disease associated with dialysis. Despite control of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, decreased mineralization of the appendicular skeleton persists. The advantages as well as disadvantages of bone density measurements in RDT patients are discussed.