[The efficacy of x-ray skeletal diagnosis in chronic alcoholics]

Within an interdisciplinary study of diseases accompanying alcoholism skeletal changes were investigated in dependent alcoholics. We scanned 147 patients for osteoarthropathy, osteoporosis/osteomalacia and posttraumatic conditions. The monitored regions show trends confirming the results from the literature. If we consider, that according to our selection principle relatively early stages of alcoholism were analyzed. In the conclusions we are recommending to investigate alcohol-induced skeletal effects more closely and specifically, primarily with regard to osteoporosis/osteomalacia. Even if the effectiveness of the study may be lower, it should be extended to relapses and non-cooperative cases.