Bone mineral status in end-stage liver disease and the effect of liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine bone mass at different skeletal sites in patients with end-stage liver disease and the effect of liver transplantation on bone mineralization.


METHODS
Bone mineral density in different skeletal regions was measured by photon absorptiometry in 25 patients with chronic liver disease, and the measurements were repeated in nine patients after orthotopic liver transplantation.


RESULTS
In patients with liver failure bone mass values were not significantly different from those of controls. After liver transplantation bone mass decreased significantly during the first 6 posttransplant months at the distal radius, lumbar spine, and femur (p < 0.01) and was still below pretransplant values at the 12th posttransplant month. Serum osteocalcin increased significantly from the 3rd month after transplantation (from 6.9 +/- 4.4 to 12.0 +/- 6.5 micrograms/l; p < 0.0001) and remained increased throughout the first posttransplant year.


CONCLUSIONS
Early and accelerated bone loss occurred after liver transplantation. This bone reduction seems to be mainly the result of increased bone resorption, possibly related to corticosteroid therapy.
Abdelhadi
M
M
Dept of Surgery, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
Eriksson
S A
SA
Ljusk Eriksson
S
S
Ericzon
B G
BG
Nordenström
J
J
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013997:Time Factors
D015675:Osteocalcin