High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography imaging and bone biomarker characteristics of patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack—baseline analysis of the Post-stroke Osteopathy study

Dejakum B, Bereiter-Payr J, Felicetti S, Moelgg K, Karisik A, Degenhart G, Toell T, Boehme C, Mayer-Suess L, Pechlaner R, Liphardt AM, Berg G, Schett G, Kiechl S, Knoflach M (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Archives of Osteoporosis Springer

Book Volume: 21

Article Number: 134

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1007/s11657-026-01767-w

Abstract

Summary : Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) leads to unfavorable structural changes in the bones. The underlying pathophysiological process is unclear. We provide a detailed characterization of the structural and biochemical properties of bone in a stroke/TIA cohort. Our findings lay the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of post-stroke osteopathy and its clinical implications. Purpose: Patients who have suffered a stroke or transient ischemic attack are at high risk of fractures, which increase mortality and reduce health-related quality of life. Previous studies showed that ischemic stroke leads to unfavorable structural changes in the bones, but the underlying pathophysiological process is still unclear. Our aim was to analyze biomarkers and bone structure with high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in a stroke/TIA cohort. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzes the baseline data of a prospective cohort. Patients underwent HR-pQCT scans of the radius and tibia, alongside biochemical bone marker evaluation, within the first days after the acute cerebrovascular event. Results: Women had lower total, cortical, and trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and lower values for most other HR-pQCT parameters. Patients with increasing age had lower total and cortical vBMD, but no difference in trabecular parameters. Active or former smokers had lower total and trabecular vBMD. Higher BMI was associated with greater cortical and trabecular bone areas and higher trabecular density. A positive correlation was found between sclerostin levels and trabecular parameters. Higher osteoprotegerin levels were associated with lower cortical area and thickness. Osteocalcin showed a negative correlation with total vBMD and cortical thickness. Conclusions: This study is the first to combine HR-pQCT imaging with bone biomarkers to provide a detailed characterization of the structural and biochemical properties of bone in a stroke/TIA cohort. Our findings lay the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of post-stroke osteopathy and its clinical implications.

Authors with CRIS profile

Anna-Maria Liphardt Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology Georg Schett Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin III

Involved external institutions

Medizinische Universität Innsbruck AT Austria (AT) BIOMEDICA Medizinprodukte GmbH AT Austria (AT) VASCage AT Austria (AT)

How to cite

APA:

Dejakum, B., Bereiter-Payr, J., Felicetti, S., Moelgg, K., Karisik, A., Degenhart, G.,... Knoflach, M. (2026). High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography imaging and bone biomarker characteristics of patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack—baseline analysis of the Post-stroke Osteopathy study. Archives of Osteoporosis, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-026-01767-w

MLA:

Dejakum, Benjamin, et al. "High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography imaging and bone biomarker characteristics of patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack—baseline analysis of the Post-stroke Osteopathy study." Archives of Osteoporosis 21.1 (2026).

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