Non-neoplasic osteomalacia in Colombia

Abstract

Objective: to describe the characteristics of presentation of 20 patients with non-neoplasic osteomalacia in several hospitals in Colombia.

Material and methods: this multi-center study was undertaken to describe the demographic, clinical, radiographic, biochemical and ethiological aspects of 20 patients with non-neoplasic osteomalacia.

Results: the patients' ages were 17-70 (mean age 40.6), 11 men and 9 women. The most common symptoms were muscle weakness (16/20), and muscle pain (16/20). The two symptoms were present in the same patients in 13 occasions (65%). The most common radiological characteristic was osteopenia, confirmed by bone densitometry. The most common biochemical findings were: hypocalcemia (14/20), normophosphatemia in 12 out of 20, and hypophosphaturia in 5. Low levels of 1-25 (OH)2 Vit D in one case. Alkaline phosphatase was high in 18 cases. The biochemical alterations turned to normal levels after the treatment.

Conclusion: the general characteristics were not different from those reported in the medical literature. The osteomalacia is a rare condition, usually neglected when compared to other metabolic bone diseases and may be present with a wide variety of clinical and radiographic manifestations mimicking other musculoskeletal disorders. Generally there is a delay of the diagnosis, thus generating a striking morbidity in patients.