Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Care (Jul 2023)

Prevalence of Osteoporosis and Osteopenia among Cancer Patients and Its Risk Factors: A Retrospective Analysis at Najran Cancer Center, Saudi Arabia

  • Ahmed Badheeb,
  • Mohamed Al Sulieman,
  • Faisal Ahmed,
  • Ahmed Asiri,
  • Mohamed Badheeb

DOI
https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcc.2023.8.3.497-502
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 3
pp. 497 – 502

Abstract

Read online

Objective: The assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with a higher risk for significant bone loss, such as cancer patients, was recommended by recent clinical guidelines. Herein, we aim to report the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia and their associated factors in cancer patients. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2021 to March 2022, and it included 39 adult cancer patients who were being treated at the King Khalid Hospital Cancer Center in Najran, Saudi Arabia. The participants were interviewed, and their BMD was assessed using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of the lumbar spine and femur neck. Univariate analysis was carried out to examine the association between osteoporosis and osteopenia and other variables. Results: The study involved 39 adult cancer patients in Najran, Saudi Arabia with a mean age of 60.15 ± 12.26 years, the majority of patients (53.8%) were aged between (60-69) years old, and most of them (64.1%) were female. The primary diagnosis was mostly breast cancer (35.9%) followed by prostate cancer (25.6%). 66.7% received chemotherapy and 64.1% received hormone therapy. Results showed osteopenia, osteoporosis, and normal BMD in 7 (17.9%), 28 (71.8%), and 4 (10.3%) patients respectively. 43.6% had low serum vitamin D levels. There was no significant relationship between osteopenia/osteoporosis and various factors, but it was more frequent in older patients, those undergoing chemotherapy, and those with low vitamin D levels (p=0.04, 0.05, 0.005). Conclusion: Higher prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia were observed in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, older patients, and those with low vitamin D levels. Further research is necessary to determine the most effective strategies for minimizing bone loss in this population.

Keywords