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Article
Anthropometric adjustments are helpful in the interpretation of BMD and BMC Z-scores of pediatric patients with Prader-Willi syndrome
Osteoporosis International
  • T. N. Hangartner, Wright State University - Main Campus
  • D. F. Short, Wright State University - Main Campus
  • T. Eldar-Geva
  • H. J. Hirsch
  • M. Tiomkin
  • A. Zimran
  • V. Gross-Tsur
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2016
Abstract

Summary: Anthropometric adjustments of bone measurements are necessary in Prader-Willi syndrome patients to correctly assess the bone status of these patients. This enables physicians to get a more accurate diagnosis of normal versus abnormal bone, allow for early and effective intervention, and achieve better therapeutic results. Introduction: Bone mineral density (BMD) is decreased in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Because of largely abnormal body height and weight, traditional BMD Z-scores may not provide accurate information in this patient group. The goal of the study was to assess a cohort of individuals with PWS and characterize the development of low bone density based on two adjustment models applied to a dataset of BMD and bone mineral content (BMC) from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements. Methods: Fifty-four individuals, aged 5–20 years with genetically confirmed PWS, underwent DXA scans of spine and hip. Thirty-one of them also underwent total body scans. Standard Z-scores were calculated for BMD and BMC of spine and total hip based on race, sex, and age for all patients, as well as of whole body and whole-body less head for those patients with total-body scans. Additional Z-scores were generated based on anthropometric adjustments using weight, height, and percentage body fat and a second model using only weight and height in addition to race, sex, and age. Results: As many PWS patients have abnormal anthropometrics, addition of explanatory variables weight, height, and fat resulted in different bone classifications for many patients. Thus, 25–70 % of overweight patients, previously diagnosed as normal, were subsequently diagnosed as below normal, and 40–60 % of patients with below-normal body height changed from below normal to normal depending on bone parameter. Conclusions: This is the first study to include anthropometric adjustments into the interpretation of BMD and BMC in children and adolescents with PWS. This enables physicians to get a more accurate diagnosis of normal versus abnormal BMD and BMC and allows for early and effective intervention.

DOI
10.1007/s00198-016-3671-y
Citation Information
T. N. Hangartner, D. F. Short, T. Eldar-Geva, H. J. Hirsch, et al.. "Anthropometric adjustments are helpful in the interpretation of BMD and BMC Z-scores of pediatric patients with Prader-Willi syndrome" Osteoporosis International Vol. 27 (2016) p. 3457 - 3464 ISSN: 0937941X
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/thomas_hangartner/131/