Osteoporosis after blood and marrow transplantation: Clinical aspects

AbstractAs the number of long-term survivors of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) increases, attention must turn to the late complications of this procedure. One such late complication is osteoporosis, a decrease in skeletal bone mass. In the short term, osteoporosis seems trivial compared with a diagnosis of cancer, but for those cured of their disease, this condition contributes to chronic morbidity and mortality. For example, hip fractures resulting from osteoporosis are associated with long periods of immobility, and they restrict the patient's lifestyle. Fifty percent of patients who sustain an osteoporosis-related hip fracture require assistance with activities of daily living, and 25% require placement in long-term care facilities [1]. Osteoporotic hip fractures also affect patient mortality. Elderly patients who suffer an osteoporosis-related hip fracture have an increased 1-year mortality rate of 12% to 37% [2]. Early recognition and treatment of osteoporosis should therefore be integral components of the follow-up of long-term BMT survivors.Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2000;6(2A):175-81