Biochemical changes among Iraqi peoples with osteomalacia in saladdin area

Abstract

Osteomalacia is a common disease among elderly, it can be asymptomatic or mimic osteoporosis, bone & muscle tender on pressure is common & focal bone pain may occur in association with pathological fracture or at risk of fracture even after simple truma.The aim of this study is to find out the biochemical changes among patients with osteomalacia & to assess any association between the ostemalacia & different clinicoepidemiological variable of the patients. The study was for the period from the October 2008 to the March 2009. 190 patients were conducted as a case series study of Iraqi patients with osteomalacia in saladdin province, a structural questionnaire was used to collect information's from the patients. The results of this study revealed female predominant to male in aratio 3/1 & the incidence increased with progressing of age to reach its peak level during the 8th decade. Biochemical study revealed 155 (81.57%) of patients with normal plasma free calcium level, while 32 (16.84%) of patients with hypocalcaemia & 3(1.57%) of patients with hypercalcaemia. On other hand, the study of plasma inorganic phosphate level revealed 30(15.78%)of patients presented with hypophosphataemia &160 (84.22%) of patients with normal plasma phosphate level. Also the study revealed 16(8.43%) of patients have normal plasma alkaline phosphatase activity, while 174(91.57%) of patients with increased plasma activity. There was a statistical significant association between family history of similar illness with development of ostemalacia, the study revealed 49(25.78%) of patients have positive family history in first & second degree relatives, also the study revealed 144(75.78%) of patients were lived in rural area compared with 46(24.21%) of patients lived in urban. All studied patients denial any history of liver or gasterointestinal diseases. Also the study revealed sequel and complications of osteomalacia as fracture which present in 86(45.26%) of patients and bow legs in 150(78.94%) of patients. This study concluded that ostemalacia is a dangerous disease may lead to fracture, crippling & deformities. Early diagnosis & prevention of vitamin-D deficiency by sun light exposure, daily vitamin-D & calcium supplementation therapy to avoid burdens on the health system.