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Seasonal variability of vitamin D and bone metabolism in infliximab-treated paediatric Crohn's disease

Szabó D, Hosszú É, Arató A, Müller KE, Béres N, Lakatos PL, Papp M, Dezsőfi A et al.

Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver, 2015

50 participants

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Paediatric Crohn's disease patients suffer from several complications, including low bone mineral density and inadequate serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.

AIMS: The aim of this prospective study was to address the effect of infliximab therapy on bone metabolism, bone mineral density and vitamin D homeostasis. The seasonal variability of serum vitamin D levels in relation to infliximab treatment was also analysed.

METHODS: Serum osteocalcin and beta-crosslaps (markers of bone metabolism), seasonal variability of vitamin D, and bone mineral density were assessed and followed throughout the yearlong treatment regimen of infliximab in 50 consecutive paediatric patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease.

RESULTS: Bone forming osteocalcin levels were significantly (p<0.001) increased during infliximab therapy. In contrast, no significant changes in beta-crosslaps and vitamin D levels were observed. Vitamin D levels were significantly different when the summer and winter periods were compared at week 0 (p=0.039); however, this difference was not detected after one year of infliximab therapy. Despite the beneficial clinical effect of infliximab, there was no significant change in bone mineral density Z-scores after one year of treatment.

CONCLUSION: Infliximab may beneficially affect bone homeostasis. Moreover, seasonal variability in vitamin D levels observed prior to initiation of infliximab treatment was diminished after one year of treatment.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 50 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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