Results of complex examination of bone mineral density in patients with tuberculous spondylitis

Introduction Osteoporosis is one of the most common and important symptoms of tuberculous involvement along with the classic symptomology. Aim To evaluate bone tissue mineral density and microstructure in patients with tuberculous spondylitis. Materials and Methods The results of studying 75 patients with active tuberculous spondylitis admitted to the Department of Bone and Joint Tuberculosis of Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Phthisiology and Pulmonology in 2015 formed the basis of the present work according to the intended purpose. Complex examination of the patients included their case history, clinical and laboratory data, and orthopedic status evaluation. Radilogical examination consisted of performing sagittal and frontal radiographic views, CT, and/or MRI of the involved segments. Both tomographic examinations (CT and MRI) were performed, if indicated, for differential diagnosis to identify the pathological process. Results Male patients of working age prevailed in the group of patients with normal bone mineral density. The number of patients with decreased bone mineral density was twice more as compared with those with normal bone mineral density. One-third of the patients were over 50 years of age. The value of bone tissue resorption exceeded the normal rate by two-fold. The values of bone tissue formation in middle-aged patients were increased irrespective of gender but remained within the limits of the two-fold increase. Conclusion Tuberculous spondylitis causes general changes in the bone metabolism values in 90 % of the patients. Intensive bone resorption takes place in tuberculous spondylitis that exceeds twice the rate of bone tissue formation.