Changes in Urinary Bone Resorption Marker after Taking a Combination Nutrient Formula in Adults with Scoliosis: A Retrospective, Open-Label, Case-Controlled Series

Abstract

Background: Scoliosis is a common condition in adult patients, and often causes chronic back pain compared to non-scoliosis. It has also been identified that bone mineral density is very often compromised in patients with scoliosis, even occurring in adolescence. At this time, no study has looked at how bone mineral density and scoliosis incidence or severity may be connected with specific regard to treatment. This study presents data on the outcomes of a scoliosis-specific exercise therapy and its ability to correct scoliotic curvatures in adult patients alone and in combination with bone mineral density supplementation. Methods: The charts of 14 total patients were retrospectively selected based upon specific inclusion criteria. Outcome assessments included the radiographic Cobb angle of the primary curvature, as well as laboratory measures of urinary deoxypyridinoline cross links. These results were compared against 12 patients who did not take the bone density supplement during or after their exercise-based treatment. Results: Patients taking the bone density supplement achieved the same level of Cobb angle reduction as compared to the control group. However, they additionally achieved a significant reduction in urinary deoxypyridinoline cross links as compared to the control group at 6 months. Conclusion: Patients taking a multi-ingredient bone density supplement daily for 6 months after completing a scoliosis-specific exercise program reported statistically significant improvements in urinary deoxypyridinoline cross links as compared to controls. It is unknown if or how bone density loss may contribute to the onset or progression of scoliosis. Long-term follow-up of these patients will be ongoing to assess bone mineral density status and Cobb angle changes longitudinally.