Postgastrectomy osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bone density is reduced, which can result in decreased bone strength. This condition inevitably accompanies old age, but the process is faster in women, particularly after menopause. Two factors which influence osteoporosis are inadequate absorption of calcium and increased bone resorption (removal by absorption). Following gastrectomy (surgical removal of all or a portion of the stomach) calcium absorption is impaired. The usefulness of calcium supplementation in osteoporosis has not been determined. Some reports suggest that calcium supplementation may be useful in preventing osteoporosis or reducing further bone resorption, although the changes that have already taken place appear to be irreversible. Better evaluation of the amount of osteoporosis present in bone is now possible with improved methods for measuring of bone mineral status, particularly dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. A study was undertaken of 16 men who had undergone gastrectomy over 30 years ago. These men are now between the ages of 50 and 72. Measurements of bone mineral density were obtained for each patient using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, a procedure which uses a small X-ray source and detector to determine the bone mineral density. Six men were initially found to have low bone mineral density. They were given calcium supplementation for six months. This supplementation did not affect the loss of bone density over a six-month period and was of no significant benefit to the treated patients. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)