Hand Bone Mineral Density in Hemiplegia and Their Clinical Corelation

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hand bone mineral density (BMD) measurements and to assess the relationship between demographic and clinical parameters. Material and Methods: The study included 119 (46 women, 63 men) hemiplegic patients. Brunnstrom stage of the upper extremity and Modified Ashworth scale was used, for the evaluation of motor function and spasticity. The level of functional independence in patients were evaluated with the functional independence measure (FIM). Hand dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA; Lunar Prodigy Advance, Lunar Corp., USA) for the assessment of bone mineral density of both hands were used. Results: In the entire group (p<0.01) and women (p<0.01) and in males (p<0.05) the paretic hand BMD values were significantly lower than the non-paretic side. Non-paretic hand BMD in women, were significantly lower than men (p<0.05). BMD on the hemiplegic hand was correlated with the hand and upper extremity spasticity severity (p<0.05), Brunnstrom stage (p<0.01), age in women (p<0.05) and FIM score (p<0.01). There were no statistically significant correlation between hand BMD and disease duration. Regression analysis revealed that the strongest predictors of BMD of the hemiplegic side were Brunnstrom stage (OR=4.701, p=0.001), FIM (OR=4.022, p=0.001) and women age (OR=1.220, p=0.050), respectively. Conclusion: To avoid an increase in fractures and associated morbidity due to a decrease in BMD of the upper extremity; the improvement in motor paresis and spasticity and functional independence, should take place in neurological rehabilitation program.