The value of bone mineral density assessment by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for prediction of cardiovascular mortality in patients treated with hemodialysis

Aim. Determine whether bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry can be used as predictor of increased risk of death in hemodialysis patients. Materials and methods. A prospective study was performed of 516 patients with chronic kidney disease treated with hemodialysis (men 265, women 251, mean age 44.811.4 years) who were observed for 5.73.2 years. Before inclusion in the study, in all patients was analyzed bone mineral density using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in three standard departments: lumbar vertebrae, proximal femur and distal forearm. The probability analysis of the outcome was carried out using the KaplanMeier method and Cox. Results. During follow-up period 111 (21.5%) patients died, 50.5% from cardiovascular events. Survival analysis by KaplanMeier method allowed to prove the increased risk of death from cardiovascular pathology in hemodailysis patients with low bone mineral density of all evaluated areas. Step-by-step multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the T score of the femur, showing the difference of BMD of the patient with normal value of BMD for young adult, had the greatest prognostic significance. Conclusion. Reduced bone mineral density in patients receiving hemodialysis is associated with an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry can be used for assessment of this risk.