Faculty Collaboration Database

Spine bone densitometry in asthmatic children treated with high dose corticosteroids: correcting for racial discrepancies. J Ark Med Soc 2006 Jan;102(7):200-2

Date

02/03/2006

Pubmed ID

16450672

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-33644857676 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)

Abstract

PURPOSE: Our hypothesis is that the use of standards based on Caucasian children will under-estimate the incidence of abnormal bone density in African American children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-two African American and 80 Caucasian asthmatic children classified as high-dose inhaled corticosteroid users comprised the study population. Bone mineral density measurements were compared to reference standards, based on Caucasians, to calculate Z-values. Regression analysis was used to compare Z-values derived from the race-specific and Caucasian standards for 32 African American children. The derived regression analysis equation was then applied to the entire African American population to determine the incidence of abnormal bone density.

RESULTS: The asthmatic Caucasian mean spine bone density was significantly less than the normal standards (p < .001), but the African American mean spine bone density was not, despite the high-dose steroid use. Using the Caucasian standards, Caucasians were significantly more likely to have abnormal bone density detected (p < 0.015). Regression analysis of the 32 children with available race specific standards resulted in the following equation: Z African American= Z Caucasian-0.86. The number of African Americans with abnormal bone density detected using the regression equation was not significantly different than the Caucasian children (p > 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS: Asthmatic African Americans treated with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids had denser bones than Caucasians. Caucasian standards can be adjusted using a regression equation.

Author List

Greenberg SB, Simpson PM, Jones SM, Holloway S, Seibert JJ

Author

Pippa M. Simpson PhD Adjunct Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Absorptiometry, Photon
Administration, Inhalation
Adolescent
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Adult
Anti-Asthmatic Agents
Asthma
Bone Density
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Incidence
Male
Osteoporosis
Reference Standards
Spine