We aimed to clarify the risk factors associated with the development of ONFH by comparing patients with hematologic diseases and osteonecrosis of the femur head (ONFH) to those patients without ONFH and who have hematologic diseases

The study population was limited to the patients admitted to our Hematology-Oncology department from 1 January 1994 to 31 May 2007. The patients were divided into 2 groups (those with ONFH, 54 patients and those without ONFH, 54 patients) and the risk factors for ONFH were evaluated by a comparative analysis. We analyzed the effect of a history of bone marrow transplantation (BMT), graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), total body radiation (TBI) and the amount of steroid used as the risk factors for ONFH.

On the multiple logistic regression analysis, a total steroid use of >g/BMI was statistically identified as a significant risk factor for ONFH. The history of BMT and TBI were not statistically correlated with the development of ONFH. Among the patients with BMT, allogenic BMT and a history of GVHD were not statistically correlated with the development of ONFH on the multiple logistic regression analysis.

Patients with hematologic diseases and who have used steroid >1.5g/BMI should carefully observed because they are more likely to develop ONFH.