Bone Health in Adults with Phenylketonuria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Available literature documenting BMD in patients with PKU is mostly reported among heterogeneous populations including adults and children. We aim to describe the bone health status among adults (aged >18 years) affected with Phenylketonuria (PKU) and to evaluate the effect of diet and exercise on bone mineral density (BMD). Sample size of the study population was 27. Enrolled patients underwent multi-site Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan and laboratory tests. Nutritional and physical activity records were obtained on each subject to ascertain bone health. BMD in patients with PKU was low normal. 14% of the study subjects were found to have osteoporosis in at least one measured skeletal site. 70% had low BMD in one or more of the measured skeletal sites. BMD score was lowest at radius. Moderate correlation was observed between femoral and radial BMD and serum calcium level. Dietary intake of vitamin A was moderately correlated with BMD T-scores in femur. Our results indicate that BMD in patients with PKU is low normal with better BMD with vitamin A intake, trend towards better bone health with physical exercise and Sapropterin intake.