Lower bone mineral density in geriatric patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) in a geriatric population in Turkey and compare bone mineral densities and related laboratory parameters of MGUS patients with those who do not have MGUS. Among 1,012 patients enrolled, monoclonal band was detected in serum samples of 22 patients (2.17%), most of which were IgG type. Further tests revealed multiple myeloma and lung carcinoma in two patients. The remaining 20 patients were diagnosed with MGUS (1.97%). The clinical and laboratory parameters of patients with and without MGUS were mostly comparable; however, bone mineral density measurements of patients with MGUS were significantly lower than those without MGUS (p=0.007). We suggest evaluation of geriatric patients with MGUS for the presence of osteopenia/osteoporosis considering the high frequency observed in this study.