A Gender Comparison of Bone Metabolic Changes After Gastric Cancer Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study

Background/aim: This study was designed to investigate gender-related differences in changes in bone metabolism after gastric cancer surgery.

Patients and methods: We prospectively recruited 47 patients (38 males and 9 females) who had early gastric cancer. The bone mineral density (BMD), serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (1,25(OH)₂VD), 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)VD), and estradiol (E2) were measured before and after surgery.

Results: BMD significantly decreased 12 months after surgery by median degrees of 3.4% and 3.9% in male and female patients, respectively (p<0.001 and p=0.023). There was no significant difference between both genders in the rate of change in BMD after surgery. The serum E2 level in male patients significantly increased by a median value of 22 pg/ml 12 months after gastrectomy (p=0.030). Both the serum 25(OH)VD and 1,25(OH)₂VD levels remained nearly within the normal range throughout the observation period in both male and female patients.

Conclusion: BMD significantly decreased within 12 months after gastrectomy in both male and female patients with gastric cancer, and there was no significant gender-related difference in the rate of change in BMD.