Bone mineral density in patients with Crohn's disease during long-term treatment with azathioprine.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain whether patients with Crohn's disease treated with azathioprine maintained bone mineral mass better than patients treated with steroids alone.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
University Hospital of Malmö, Sweden.


METHODS
A total of 59 patients with ileocolonic, ileocaecal or colonic Crohn's disease.


METHODS
Bone mass was assessed by dual photon X-ray absorptiometry at the level of L2-L4.


RESULTS
Patients treated with a high lifetime dose of steroids (> 5 g prednisolone) had significantly (P = 0.011) lower Z-score of L2-L4 (-0.87 +/- 1.11; 11 SD) than steroid-treated patients, who had received a low dose of prednisolone (< 5 g) (0.08 +/- 1.16 SD). Azathioprine did not negatively influence the steroid effect on bone mineral density.


CONCLUSIONS
Azathioprine does not seem to affect bone mineral density by itself. However, by being steroid-saving, it seems to conserve bone mineral mass in patients with Crohn's disease.
Florén
C H
CH
Department of Internal Medicine, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, Sweden.
Ahrén
B
B
Bengtsson
M
M
Bartosik
J
J
Obrant
K
K
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D003092:Colitis / Q000503:physiopathology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007079:Ileitis / Q000503:physiopathology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine