ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis after renal transplantation in Thai patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A single-center cross-sectional study of bone mineral density was conducted in 102 Thai renal allograft recipients. Correlations were made between the clinical parameters and the occurrences of osteoporosis. RESULTS: The prevalence of osteoporosis was 24.5%, 9.8% and 26.4% at lumbar vertebrae, hip region, and any sites, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that cumulative dosage of steroids was significantly correlated with osteoporosis of the lumbar spine (p = 0.023, adjusted OR = 1.005), while body mass index (p = 0.005, adjusted OR = 0.738) and age (p = 0.052, adjusted OR = 1.077) were correlated with osteoporosis of the hip region. CONCLUSION: Osteoporosis is common in Thai renal allograft recipients, particularly of the lumbar vertebrae. Cumulative dosage of steroids is the most important risk factor of low BMD of the lumbar vertebrae.