Bone Deterioration After Kidney Transplantation Assessed by DXA and HR-pQCT

Bone mineral density declines rapidly during the first 6-12 months after kidney transplantation, driven by glucocorticoid exposure, persistent chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) and changes in bone turnover. This period coincides with the highest fracture risk. DXA-scans provide areal bone mineral density only and cannot distinguish cortical from trabecular bone or assess microarchitecture, so it may underestimate early cortical deterioration. HR-pQCT measures volumetric bone mineral density, cortical and trabecular microarchitecture and, by finite element analysis, estimated bone strength. DXACT is an investigator-initiated, prospective, single-centre observational cohort study at the Medical University of Innsbruck. Baseline clinical and laboratory assessment is performed 7 +/- 2 days and imaging 10 +/- 7 days after transplantation; assessments are repeated at 12 months, with an optional 6-month visit for participants followed locally. HR-pQCT is performed at the distal radius and distal tibia of the dominant side (contralateral side if a vascular access or implant is present); DXA at the lumbar spine (L1-L4), hip and distal radius (33%). Clinically relevant skeletal deterioration is defined as a change exceeding the least significant change (LSC = 2.77 x precision CV) of the respective modality and parameter. Laboratory assessments include parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxy- and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, calcium, phosphate, P1NP, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, TRAP5b, CTX, osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin. EDTA plasma and urine are stored in a pseudonymised biobank at -80 °C. Analyses are primarily descriptive and exploratory. Planned analyses include agreement and discordance between DXA- and HR-pQCT-based classification, associations of imaging changes with biochemical markers and clinical factors (age, sex, dialysis vintage, cumulative glucocorticoid dose, rejection, graft function), and comparison by graft function at 12 months. Incident fragility fractures beyond 12 months may be retrieved from routine clinical records without further participant contact.