Bone mineral density (BMD) in male patients with Parkinson's disease

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are at risk for osteoporosis. We aimed to compare male PD subjects with short disease duration (less than 5 years) to those with longer disease duration (5 to 10 years) in bone health characteristics and in bone mineral density (BMD). This current case series included male idiopathic PD patients ages 18-90 at an outpatient academic center. Outcome measures were bone mineral density and the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale Motor Section (UPDRS III). Thirty-six PD patients received DEXA scans. Seventy-two percent had osteopenia or osteoporosis in at least one bone site. Reduced BMD was observed in 58.8% of the 0-5 years PD group, and in 84.2% of the 5-10 years PD group. There was no difference in the spine BMD between the 0 to 5 years and the 5 to 10 years PD groups, and no difference in femoral neck BMD between PD disease duration groups. There were no differences in UPDRS Part III scores between 0 to 5 years and the 5 to 10 years groups. Prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia was high in male PD subjects regardless of disease duration. Bone-health promoting/screening behaviors were found to be low. As PD patients are prone to falls, fractures, and associated comorbidities, more research should be performed to determine if a screening regimen is appropriate.