Frequency of osteoporosis in 46 men with methamphetamine abuse hospitalized in a National Hospital

• Published in: Forensic science international 2009-07, Vol.188 (1), p.75-80
• Main Authors: Kim, Eun Young, Kwon, Do Hoon, Lee, Byung Dae, Kim, Yang Tae, Ahn, Young Bok, Yoon, Kuee Young, Sa, Sok Jin, Cho, Woong, Cho, Sung Nam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon; Abuse; Addiction; Adult; Aged; Amphetamine-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; BMD; Bone Density; Bone Diseases, Metabolic - epidemiology; Bones; Case-Control Studies; Central Nervous System Stimulants - adverse effects; Control equipment; Density; Derivatives; Drug abuse; Forensic medicine; Forensic sciences; General aspects; Hospitalization; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Korea - epidemiology; Korean; Lumbar Vertebrae; Male; Males; Medical sciences; Men; Methamphetamine; Methamphetamine - adverse effects; Middle Aged; Minerals; Older people; Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis - epidemiology; Pathology; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Spine
• ISSN: 0379-0738; 1872-6283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.03.016

Abstract Background Methamphetamine, a derivative of amphetamine, has been well known to cause mental problems in humans; however, its physical effects are little known. Despite relevant information on the effect of methamphetamine abuse on bone quality being available, data regarding the frequency of osteoporosis in methamphetamine abusers are limited. Methods We selected 46 hospitalized male methamphetamine abusers and 188 reference male controls in whom any conditions affecting bone metabolism were ruled out. Bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). We compared the BMD between methamphetamine abusers and controls and evaluated the frequency of osteoporosis in both groups. Results The mean BMD value was lower in methamphetamine abusers (mean ± SD, 0.71 ± 0.07 g/cm2 ) than in the controls (mean ± SD, 0.98 ± 0.14 g/cm2 ). The frequency of osteoporosis was 22% according to WHO diagnostic guidelines, and osteopenia at the lumbar spine was 76%. The correlation between the extent of methamphetamine abuse and BMD was very clear. Conclusion There was considerable loss of bone mineral in a high percentage of methamphetamine abusers. Our study is the first clinical study to determine the frequency of osteoporosis in male methamphetamine abusers.