BACKGROUND. Bone mineral density is negatively correlated with vascular calcification and cardiovascular risk in CKD pts. Aim of this study is to confirm these observations in PD patients.

Materials and Methods. We studied 48 PD patients (mean age 61,9 ±14,5 years, 41,3% Women and 58,7% Man, mean age Man 65,7±11 Y, Women 56,2±17 Y p=0,031 for sex) mean duration of PD was 21,9±25,4 months. These patients underwent an abdominal computerized tomography scan. The severity score for AAC was: 1=none, 2=mild, 3=moderate, 4=severe. For each patient we collected the following laboratory data: calcium corrected for albumin, PTH, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, haemoglobin, BMI, diuresis, KT/V, use of Vitamin D, Cinacalcet, phosphate binders, ESA, warfarin. Quantitative CT measurements of BMD (mg/ml) using fully automated software were obtained at the first, second, third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS.

Results. We found a negative correlation between BMD and age (M p=<0,006, r =-0,516, W p=<0,001, r= -0,763) and between BMD and calcium in women (p=0,037, r = 0,481). 25 pts (55,6% Man and 42,1% Women with no statistically significant difference between sexes) were osteoporotic (BMD <160 mg/ml), and respectively 14 and 11 of them showed severe and mild AOC. After 2 years the overall prevalence of fracture was 15,5% (7 pts). 12 pts (26%) died. All the pts who died and those with fracture showed a low BMD and a severe AAC. No correlations was found between laboratory data, BMI, diuresis, KT/V, use of medications, lenght of dialisys and BMD-AAC.

Conclusions. Our data confirm that low BMD is correlated with age, vascular calcification and cardiovascular risk as in CKD pts. We could not confirm the findings of other Authors who suggested that low body weight and low KT/V were the most important risk factors for low BMD in PD pts