Comparison of some bone markers between hemoglobinopathy patients and normal individuals

It has been reported that even under the optimum conditions such, as regular blood transfusions and chelating agent therapy, hemoglobinopahty patients have been developed a number of severe bone disorders and especially osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to investigate bone mineral density and some biochemical parameters for early diagnosis of osteoporosis at hemoglobinopathy and to compare these values with the healthy individuals parameters. 140 hemoglobinopathy patients with an age of between 17-35 were included in this study. All patienes were taking regularly blood transfusion and chelating agent therapy. Height and weight were measured for all of them. The blood samples were taken prior to the transfusions and all required parameters (CBC, calcium, vitamin D, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin) were measured with using appropriate methodes. Patients avarage old 22,85±4,17 years , body mass index vere 24,68±1,93 kg/m2. It was observed that patients have osteopathia expect alpha thalasemias. It was observed that even under the optimum conditions, such as regular blood transfusions and chelating agent therapy, hemoglobinopahty patient's mineral density decreasing much faster than the normal individuals values. When we examine the biocemical markers, it was noticed that while Vit D leves were much more smaller than the normal ones for all cases, but osteocalcin levels was higher than the normal one at various levels acording to the conditions. No diferences were observed for Ca at all conditions. So it can be assumed that osteoporosis may start at an early age due to hemoglobinopaty.