Abstract

Numerous studies have reported abnormalities in calcium metabolism in human hypertension. However, bone is the largest store of calcium in the body and a loss of mineralization and calcium in connection with an increased 24-h urinary calcium excretion may occur. In this context, it can be speculated that in patients with essential hypertension and lowered bone mineral density the disturbances in calcium metabolism are more pronounced. Especially in hypertensive women with osteoporosis, these factors are of special interest. In this context, measurements of skeletal status after renal transplantation by quantitative ultrasound were performed in 30 patients (12 women) and 25 controls. Bone stiffness was calculated from speed of sound and broadband ultrasound attenuation and no correlation to age, cumulative steroid dose, plasma calcium, or time after transplantation was noted. In a group of hypertensive women (n = 8) after renal transplantation with poor blood pressure control, the age-corrected bone stiffness was measured at 65.5% ± 18.7% at the right calcaneus, and 77.7% ± 19.8% at the left calcaneus. These values were significantly reduced as compared to the entire group of transplant patients (84.8% ± 24.8% and 87.0% ± 28.1%, right and left calcaneus, respectively). In this context, it can be speculated that loss of bone mineral density and hypertension may be connected by abnormalities in calcium metabolism in women.

Author Details

Authors

• K. Kisters¹
• F. Tokmak¹
• U. Hillebrandt²
• M.A. Kosch²
• K.H. Dietl³
• M. Hausberg²

Departments

• ¹ Department of Internal Medicine I, St. Anna Hospital, Herne
• ² Medizinische Universitäts-Poliklinik, University of Münster, and
• ³ Department of Surgery, Raphaelsklinik, Münster, Germany

Address

Prof. Dr. K. Kisters
Medizinische Klinik I, St. Anna-Hospital
Hospitalstraße 19
D-44649 Herne, Germany
Email: [email protected]

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