BONE MINERAL STATUS AND METABOLISM DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC SPINAL CORD INJURY

Background. The study of late complications, including osteoporosis, is urgent due to the increasing life expectancy of patients with complete spinal cord injury (SCI). Objective. The aim of the study is to evaluate bone mineral status and bone turnover markers in the patients with chronic SCI. Methods. 73 SCI patients and 57 healthy persons were examined. Bone status was determined by ultrasound (US) densitometry. Bone turnover markers and vitamin D were evaluated by electrochemiluminescence method. Results. In the SCI patients bone mineral status was significantly lower compared with the individuals of control group. The stiffness index (SI) was 51.4±11.8 % vs. 98.5±16.6 %, p<0.05 in men and 50.1±9.8 % vs. 92.9±11.1 %, p