Background: The patients on hemodialysis have a significantly decreased quality of life. One of many problems which reduce the quality of life and increase the mortality in these patients is osteoporosis and osteoporosis associated fractures. Objectives: To assess the bone density of those on hemodialysis by dual energy X ray absorptiometry and to examine the risk factors of bone density reduction in these patients. Patients and Method: This is a cross-sectional study, including 93 patients on chronic hemodialysis at the department of Hemodialysis at Cho Ray Hospital. Results: Mean bone densities at the region of interest (ROI) neck, trochanter, Ward triangle, intertrochanter and total neck are 0.603 ± 0.105; 0.583 ± 0.121; 0.811 ± 0.166; 0.489 ± 0.146; 0.723 ± 0.138 g/cm2 respectively. The prevalences of osteoporosis at those ROI are 39.8%, 15.1%; 28%; 38.7%; and 26.9% respectively. The prevalences of osteopenia at those ROI are 54.8%; 46.3%; 60.2%; 45.2% and 62.7% respectively. The prevalence of osteopososis in at least one ROI is 52.7% and the prevalence of osteopenia in at least one ROI is 47.3%. There are relations between the bone density at the neck and the gender of the patient and the albuminemia. Bone density at the trochanter is influenced by gender, albuminemia, calcemia and phosphoremia. Bone density at the intertrochanter is affected by the gender. Bone density at the Ward triangle is influenced by age and albuminemia. Total neck bone density is influenced by gender, albuminemia and phosphoremia. Conclusion: Osteoporosis in patients on chronic hemodialysis is an issue that requires our attention. There are many interventionable risk factors of bone density decrease in these patients. Key words: Osteoporosis, DEXA, chronic renal failure, chronic hemodialysis
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