Bone Structure-Related Biomarkers in Hemophilic Patients, Compared to Healthy Condition

Abstract

The increased risk for developing loss of bone density in patients with hemophilia has been recently regarded. The present study was conducted to compare the levels of vitamin D and other biochemical factors affecting bone turnover in patients with hemophilia and those without this problem. The study participants were stratified into the following subgroups 1) the hemophilic patients without evidence of viral infections, 2) those with the healthy condition without evidence of infection by the viral infections. All subjects were asked to take venous blood sample to assess the levels of serum biomarkers related to bone metabolism and turnover. Comparison of different biochemical markers related to bone metabolism and turnover showed significantly lower free testosterone, total testosterone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), vitamin D, calcium, osteocalcin, calcitonin, and parathormone levels as well as higher serum alkaline phosphatase, Serum C-telopeptide (CTX), and N-terminal telopeptide (NTx) levels in those hemophilic patients as compared to control group. Hemophilia can adversely affect bone structure leading to bone loss in hemophilic patients. An appropriate screening protocol pertaining to osteoporosis must be implemented in the facilities for hemophiliac patients, so that preventive and healthcare measures like more physical activity and consumption of vitamin D and calcium supplements could be provided.