Factors associated with bone metabolism in patients with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament accompanied with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.

INTRODUCTION: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) are both characterized as ossification in paravertebral ligaments and sometimes present simultaneously, however, the bone metabolism in patients with cervical OPLL accompanying/not accompanying DISH has not well been studied. Thus, a retrospective analysis was performed to understand any differences in bone metabolism in these patients.

METHODS: Male patients who underwent surgery for OPLL were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of DISH (OD and O group, respectively). Patients with cervical spondylosis comprised the control group (CS group). Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism factors were compared among the groups.

RESULTS: The OD and O groups had significantly higher body mass indexes (BMIs) than did the CS group. Morphologically, the number of continuous type of OPLL was high in the OD group whereas that of segmental type was higher in the O group. The OD and O group had greater BMD than the CS group. Both TRACP-5b and P1NP were tended to be lower in the OD group whereas Ca and P concentrations were similar level among the groups. Intact parathyroid hormone in OD group was significantly higher than CS group.

DISCUSSION: Patients with OPLL accompanying DISH had significantly higher BMD whereas they tend to be lower in bone turnover. Significantly higher i-PTH levels was found in the OD group and would be the characteristic blood marker, but further research on the relationship between DISH and PTH was necessary.