[Study of 52 cases of osteomalacia]

ABSTRACT

Osteomalacia is a disorder of bone mineralization secondary to Vitamin D deficiency. Clinical presentation and related parameters in 52 cases and their treatment discussed. This is a discriptive study of patients with osteomalacia which is performed at the departments of rheumatology and endocrines, Mashhad Medical Sciences University. Patients were diagnosed according to clinical presentation, radiological findings, blood tests, and bone biopsy if necessary. Patients were treated either orally with 0/25 micro g Calcitriol or as IM injection of vitamin-D [300000 units]. For the prevention of recurrence, injection was repeated every 6-12 months. Older patients were also recommended to expose themselves to ultraviolet radiation 2-3 times every week. All findings were recorded and later processed using statistical tests. From the 52 patients, 47 were women [90%] and 5 were men [10%]. Clinical presentations were back pain, fatigue and bone tenderness especially in lumbar area, osteopenic symptoms, and gait disorder. 44 patients had Looser's zone which is diagnostic of osteomalacia Based on calculated statistics, a significant reduction in serum Calcium [P< 0.005], phosphorus [P< 0.002], and increased Alkaline phosphatase [P< 0.002] and parathyroid hormone [P< 0.004] was observed. Most of our patients were admitted during winter and early sprin. The disease was more common in young women [age 10-19] than women older than 30 years of age [P< 0.004]. Patients with Vitamin D deficiency were alleviated by Vitamin D treatment. Osteomalacia exists as a silent disease in north east of Iran. The main cause of this is considered to be vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, preventive measures are to be taken