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Prevalence and risk factors for low bone mineral density in ulcerative colitis

Bundela RPS, Ashdhir P, Narayan KS, Jain M, Pokharna RK, Nijhawan S

Indian journal of gastroenterology : official journal of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology, 2017

55 participants

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been associated with increased risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Several risk factors contribute to this; however, studies evaluating their association have conflicting results.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with prospective enrollment of adult ulcerative colitis patients attending the Gastroenterology Department of Sawai Man Singh Hospital, Jaipur Rajasthan between June 2015 and December 2015. Demographic data including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), disease duration, type of disease, prior steroid use and vitamin D levels were recorded and compared with bone mineral density (BMD) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

RESULTS: Of the 55 patients enrolled, 41 (74.5%) had abnormal BMD; out of this, 19 (34.5%) had osteopenia and 22 (40.0%) had osteoporosis. In univariate analysis, disease duration and history of steroid use were observed as statistically significant. However, on multivariate analysis, only duration of disease was found to be a significant independent predictor of low BMD. Age, gender, BMI, low levels of vitamin D and steroid usage were not associated with low BMD.

CONCLUSION: Prevalence of low BMD is common in Indian ulcerative colitis patients. Prolonged disease duration appears to be the major risk factor.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 55 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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