[Bone mineral disorders in patients with multiple myeloma]

The aim of the study was to evaluate bone mineralization in the patients with multiple myeloma. The examinations were performed in 49 patients (25 men and 24 women). Seven patients were before chemotherapy and 42 patients were treated with chemotherapy. All of them received prednisone. The bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry with Lunar spine (L2-L4) in AP projection, femoral neck and total body were examined. There was a decrease of bone mineral density in 35 patients in at least one place (T-score more than 2 SD below normal of young healthy persons). There was no correlation between densitometric results and the duration of multiple myeloma, or chemotherapy. The decrease of bone mineral density (expressed es T-score) of lumbar spine (for the patients without spinal degenerative changes) was higher than that of femoral neck (p < 0.05). The decrease of bone mineral density (expressed as T-score) of lumbar spine and femoral neck was more pronounced than that of total body (p < 0.001). Bone densitometry, especially of lumbar spine and femoral neck and less of total body is indicated in the patients with multiple myeloma. The result of this examination may be considered as an independent parameter of disease intensity.