1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Rare Diseases
Rare Diseases Blog

From Mary Kugler, R.N., Former About.com Guide to Rare Diseases

In India, adults with hemophilia at risk for osteoporosis

Thursday February 22, 2007
IndiaResearchers from the King Edward Memorial Hospital in Mumbai (Bombay), India, examined the bone health of 50 adults (ages 20-50 years) with hemophilia. Osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones) was present in the lower back (lumbar spine) in half of the adults, and in the hip joint in around one-third. These adults had lower than normal bone density; six individuals had a history of bone fractures.

The researchers explain that inadequate treatment of bleeding episodes in the joints (hemarthrosis, a complication of hemophilia) due to the high cost of medicine causes permanent joint damage in many adults with hemophilia in India. The painful joints make physical activity difficult, which contributes to the risk of developing osteoporosis. The researchers note that regular exercise, physical therapy, treatment of hemarthrosis, and treatment of vitamin D deficiency would help prevent osteoporosis. The research was published in the February 2007 issue of American Journal of Hematology.

Comments

No comments yet. Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment

Line and paragraph breaks are automatic. Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title="">, <b>, <i>, <strike>

Explore Rare Diseases
About.com Special Features

8 Ways to Cut Drug Costs

Learn how to save money on medications with these recommendations. More >

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this season. More >

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Rare Diseases

©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.