Nutritional Habits of Patients with Rare Bone Diseases & Osteoporosis

Introduction Osteogenesis imperfecta, Hypophosphatasia, X-linked hypophosphatemia and Ehlers Danlos syndrome are rare genetic bone diseases. As there is currently no cure, patients are advised to have a health-conscious lifestyle.

Methods The project aims to collect data on complementary and alternative medicine, nutritional habits and quality of life in rare bone disease patients (RARE), comparing them to an osteoporosis group (OPO) and healthy controls (CTRL). In our first analysis we used a standardized nutritional questionnaire, targeting bone influencing foods and nutrients.

Results A total of 121 people were included in the study (RARE n=47, 49.4 years; OPO n=46, 66.9 years; CTRL n=28, 48.6 years). The body mass index (BMI) averages at 25.7 in RARE, 24.4 in OPO and 27.1 in CTRL. In the RARE group 23.3% stated, that they completely refrain from dairy products, compared to 8.7% OPO and 10.7% CTRL. More than two daily portions of vegetables were stated only by 14.3% of RARE, 15.6% of OPO and 14.3% of CTRL patients, but fruit consume once to twice per day by 64.3%, 73.3% and 71.4%, respectively. Meat consume more than 3 portions per week was stated in 35.7% of CTRLs versus only 14.0% in RARE and 13.0% in OPO. Recommended fish consumption was declared by more than 50% of subjects. Light beverage consumption was generally low (4.7%, 6.7% and 3.6%).

Discussion The current trend suggests that patients with rare bone diseases as well as osteoporosis have not implemented the recommended bone protective nutrition.

Keywords rare bone diseases, osteoporosis, nutrition, osteogenesis imperfecta, x-linked hypophosphatemia

Korrespondenzadresse Amadea Medibach, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Osteology, Heinrich-Collin-Strasse 30, 1140 Vienna, Austria, E-Mail: [e-mail]

Publication History

Article published online:
08 September 2022