Clinical characteristics of pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis and literature review / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze nine cases of pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis(PLO) along with a literature review to improve clinicians′ knowledge of the disease.Methods:We collected medical history, laboratory examination, bone mineral density(BMD) scan, treatment and follow-up data of 9 inpatients with PLO in the Endocrinology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2014 to June 2021.Results:The median age of onset of 9 patients with PLO was 30 years(22-37 years). All 9 patients presented low back pain, and the median time of low back pain after childbirth was 2.5 months(0.5-7 months). 89% of the patients presented vertebral compression fractures, and the mean number of vertebral fractures was 4.6. Eight patients with PLO showed osteoporosis by dual X-ray absorpiometry(DXA) scan, and one patient showed bone loss by quantitative CT scan. Osteoporosis predominated in the trabecular bone. After the diagnosis, nine patients with PLO stopped breastfeeding and were given calcium and vitamin D preparations. Seven patients were given bisphosphonates and one patient was treated with teriparatide followed by denosumab. The back pain of all patients was relieved, with the median of relief time being 3 months(7 d-6 m). After treatment initiation, BMD was increased in eight patients, especially obvious in the lumbar spine. No new clinical fractures occurred during the follow-up.Conclusions:For women with low back pain and shortened height in late pregnancy or breastfeeding, the possibility of PLO should be considered. Prompt diagnosis and early medical interventions are of utmost importance to reduce the risk of subsequent fractures and improve the prognosis.