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Osteoporosis in chronic liver disease: a case–control study

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Abstract

Osteoporosis has become an increasingly recognized complication among patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in patients with CLD (primary biliary cirrhosis and chronic viral hepatitis B or C patients) in comparison with a group of age- and sex-matched controls. Sixty-four patients with CLD (mean age 51.66 ± 11.54 years), 48 females and 16 males were included. Age- and sex-matched individuals from the general population served as controls. Osteoporosis was evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (bone mineral density below −2.5 T score) at the lumbar spine (LS) and total hip (TH). Vertebral fractures were established by densitometric morphometry (vertebral fracture assessment). Bone turnover was assessed by intact parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin and C-telopeptides of type I collagen in the serum. Prevalence of osteoporosis in either the LS or the TH was 45.3%, twice as high as in the controls (19.6%) (RR 2.31, 95% CI 1.42–3.75, P < 0.001). Age, menopausal status, cirrhosis and advanced histological stage are not determinant factors for developing osteoporosis in patients with CLD. However, female sex, cholestasis, lower weight and height but not body mass index seem to play predominant role. Three (5.3%) patients had dorsal and LS fractures. It was concluded that osteoporosis is effectively a complication of CLD. Cholestasis in addition to female sex and lower weight and height are risk factors of osteoporosis in CLD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatology and Physical Rehabilitation Department, Military Hospital Mohammed V, PO Box: 1018, Rabat, Morocco

    Ghizlane Wariaghli, Aziza Mounach, Lahsen Achemlal, Ahmed Bezza & Abdellah El Maghraoui

  2. Gastroenterology Department, Ibn Sina Hospital, Rabat, Morocco

    Imane Benbaghdadi

  3. Gastroenterology Department, Military Hospital Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco

    Aziz Aouragh

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  1. Ghizlane Wariaghli
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  2. Aziza Mounach
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  7. Abdellah El Maghraoui
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Correspondence to Ghizlane Wariaghli.

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Wariaghli, G., Mounach, A., Achemlal, L. et al. Osteoporosis in chronic liver disease: a case–control study. Rheumatol Int 30, 893–899 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-1071-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-1071-8

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