RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate patients with otosclerosis with respect to bone mineral density (BMD) at different regions of interest (ROI), using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). DESIGN: Cross-sectional controlled study. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The patients with a definite diagnosis of otosclerosis confirmed intra-operatively were defined as the study group (n = 30). The control group consisted of volunteer, healthy subjects with normal hearing (n = 43). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Following an audiometric evaluation, a venous blood sample was obtained and a single BMD measurement using DXA was applied to each participant. RESULTS: The mean BMD, T and Z scores were higher in the otosclerosis group than in the control group in all the regions considered, but not significantly; only the L2-L3 lateral BMD and its T and Z scores were significant (P = 0.036, P = 0.029 and P = 0.036, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the BMD does not decrease in the presence of otosclerosis despite its genetic and metabolic relevance with osteoporosis. Concerning the L2-L3 lateral BMD measurements, the BMD increased in otosclerosis.
