Prevalence and risk factors of low bone mineral density in Chinese Han male patients with alcohol dependence

Objective To investigate the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) along with its possible risk factors in male Han Chinese patients with alcohol dependence (AD).Methods This retrospective, cross-sectional study included male patients with AD, classified into normal and low BMD groups according to bone densitometry T scores. Demographic and alcohol-related data, and routine laboratory parameters were compared between the two groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to evaluate risk factors associated with low BMD, and correlations between the T-score and demographic, alcohol-related, and routine laboratory data were evaluated.Results Among a total of 107 patients with AD included in the study, the prevalence of low BMD was 70.09% (75/107). Patients with low BMD were older, consumed more alcohol daily, and had higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and lower Ca2+ levels than patients with normal BMD. Regression analysis revealed that increased daily alcohol intake, low serum Ca2+ levels, high serum LDH levels, and comorbid hypertension was related to low BMD in patients with AD. Further correlation analysis revealed a positive association between T-score and serum Ca2+ levels.Conclusion Increased daily alcohol intake, low serum Ca2+ levels, high serum LDH levels, and comorbid hypertension may be risk factors for low BMD.