New from PubMed:

Many sickle cell disease (SCD) patients suffer from bone disease in the form of osteoporosis or osteomalacia. They are sometimes deficient in vitamin D, and have low bone mineral density (BMD). Researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine sought to determine if vitamin D and calcium supplementation therapy could restore bone health in SCD patients. 14 adult SCD patients were involved in the study. The patients’ 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and BMD were measured at the femoral neck, lumbar spine, and distal third of the ulna plus radius, and markers of bone resorption and bone formation were recorded. Vitamin D and calcium supplements were given for 12 months, after which the patients’ BMD, 25(OH)D, bone resorption, and bone formation levels were remeasured. Researchers found that vitamin D and calcium can improve BMD and restore 25(OH)D levels to normal in adult SCD patients, but the supplements did not effect markers of bone resorption. The study results show that SCD patients should be screened for vitamin D deficiency, and have their BMD monitored.

Read the full abstract on PubMed