The Change of Bone Mineral Density in Relation to Stroke Duration and Affected Sides

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mode of the development of osteoporosis in hemiplegic stroke patients and to study the change in bone mineral density (BMD) in relation to stroke duration and affected sides. METHOD: The subjects were 79 hemiplegic stroke patients (39 males, 40 felames, mean age 61.9 years). We measured the BMD of the subjects, compared the BMD of affected sides with that of unaffected sides, and evaluate the BMD in connection with stroke duration and affected sides. RESULTS: The reduction of the BMD in affected sides was highly correlated with the duration of hemiplegia, but the correlation was not shown in the case of those in unaffected sides. In addition, the difference of BMD in affected sides between those in unaffected sides had an obvious negative correlation with the stroke duration of left hemiplegia, but not with that of right hemiplegia. CONCLUSION: Stroke patients have a high prevalence of osteoporosis and this findings were particularly prominent in people who suffer from left hemiplegia. Early rehabilitative care, including weight-bearing exercise and outdoor ambulation, is essential for left side hemiplegic patients in order to prevent possible complications.