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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
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Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Bone mineral density in ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis
Chrissa Sioka1, Stylianos Papakonstantinou, Andreas Fotopoulos
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece. csioka@yahoo.com
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is linked to lower bone mineral density (BMD) and increased osteoporosis risk. This study found reduced BMD in male MS patients and female patients at the total hip, indicating a need for further research and therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
- MS is potentially associated with reduced bone mass and a higher incidence of osteoporosis.
- Bone health assessment is crucial in managing MS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare bone mineral density (BMD) in ambulatory multiple sclerosis patients with matched controls.
- To identify specific sites of bone density reduction in MS patients.
- To determine the frequency of low bone mass in MS.
Main Methods:
- Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck.
- Seventy ambulatory MS patients were compared with 100 sex-, age-, and BMI-matched controls.
- Multivariate analysis was used to identify the predominantly affected skeletal site.
Main Results:
- Male MS patients showed significantly reduced BMD at the lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck compared to controls.
- Female MS patients exhibited reduced BMD only at the total hip.
- MS patients demonstrated a higher frequency of low bone mass compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
- Multiple sclerosis is associated with reduced bone mineral density, particularly at the hip.
- MS patients have an increased prevalence of low bone mass, suggesting a higher risk of osteoporosis.
- Further research is needed to investigate the underlying etiologic factors and develop targeted therapeutic strategies for bone loss in MS.
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