In a nutshell
This study investigated the risk of osteoporosis in Parkinson´s disease (PD) patients. Researchers suggested that PD patients are at a higher risk of having this disease.
Some background
Patients with PD have a decrease in specific brain cells responsible for the movement of the body. Symptoms can range from tremors to rigidity of the muscles.
Osteoporosis includes a loss of bone mass, which is associated with an increased risk of breaking bones. Prior studies showed that PD is associated with a higher risk of lower bone mass and osteoporosis. However, this association is not fully understood.
Methods & findings
The objective of this study was to investigate the association between PD and osteoporosis. The results of 15 other studies were reviewed.
Patients with PD had an 18% higher risk of having osteoporosis compared to the general population. Moreover, male PD patients were 2.44 times more at risk of having osteoporosis when compared to female patients.
Bone mineral density (a measure of bone thickness and strength) at the hip, neck, and spine was lower in patients with PD compared to the general population.
The bottom line
This study determined that patients with PD (particularly males) have a higher risk of having osteoporosis or lower bone mass.
Published By :
Bone
Date :
Jan 01, 2013
