Abstract: Objective To explore bone mineral loss and osteoporosis in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methods We recruited 141 MHD patients treated in the Blood Purification Center of Nephrology Department, China-Japan Friendship Hospital. They were then grouped based on sex, MHD age, and serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level. Their age, body weight and height were recorded, serum iPTH was measured, and calcaneal bone mineral density was assayed by a calcaneal quantitative ultrasound instrument. Data were analyzed by the software SPSS. Result The prevalence of osteoporosis was 51.77%,
and that of osteopenia was 41.84%. The prevalence of osteoporosis was higher in females (65.00%) than in males (34.42%; χ2 = 13.07, P <0.05), increased gradually with MHD age, but was indifferent among the groups with various iPTH levels. Conclusion Calcaneal osteopenia and osteoporosis were prevalent in MHD patients.

Key words: Hemodialysis, Bone density, Quantitative ultrasound measurement