Risk factors of osteoporosis in women with multiple sclerosis
This article is by Khachanova et al from Russia
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease that leads to early disability of young adults at a reproductive age. Motor disturbances caused by progressive pyramidal deficit and cerebellar dysfunction, accompanied by ataxia with frequent falls, and early decrease of physical activity are risk factors of osteoporosis in MS patients. A relapsing-remitting course of the disease with frequent attacks demands multiple courses of steroid therapy. Long-term steroid treatment causes bone loss and development of secondary osteoporosis. We have shown that reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in lumbar spine and femoral neck is associated with high level of EDSS score caused by the combination of moderate pyramidal and cerebellar dysfunction. An additional risk factor of osteoporosis in MS patients is low body weight. The glucocorticoid therapy does not exert a negative impact on BMD in lumbar spine and femoral neck in patients with MS.
From Pubmed Id=17172237