RESUMEN
Objective To characterize the secondary osteoporosis in hemiplegic patients. Methods By use of dual energy X ray absorptometry, the bone density and bone mineral quantity of 156 hemiplegic inpatients were tested and analyzed. Results The incidence of osteoporosis was 44.4% during 3～6 months after stroke and 21.1% found during 9～12 months after stroke. The average incidence was 30.8%. The osteoporosis was more common in patients with flaccid hemiplegia than in those with spastic hemiplegia. The bone mineral quantity in the affected upper limbs was significantly lower than that in nonaffected side ( P 0.05). Conclusion The bone mineral quantity of hemiplegic patients varies with the duration of disease. The reduction of bone mineral quantity is regular and reversible.