Metacarpal bone mass in normal adults and in patients with chronic renal failure

In measurements of the metacarpal bone mass the values in normal Danish adults did not differ between the right and left hand, but were significantly higher in women compared with men in subjects 20-59 years of age; beyond that age the bone mass decrease in women compared with men. The metacarpal bone mass decreased significantly during the period of dialysis in patients on chronic hemodialysis and decreased significantly after renal transplantation. Recipients who developed necrosis of bone or spontaneous fractures after transplantation had significantly reduced metacarpal bone mass at the time of transplantation as compared with normal controls whereas recipients without bone lesions after renal transplantation had normal values at the time of transplantation.