title: Longitudinal study of bone mineral density in patients with Crohn's disease.
abstract: Osteoporosis is frequent in Crohn's disease. The aim of the study was to assess the rate of bone loss over time retrospectively and the influence of disease-related factors on bone loss. Twenty-nine patients (8 male), admitted for repeated bone mineral density assessments (BMD) were enrolled. BMD measured by dual energy x-ray absoptiometry was expressed in grams per square centimeter, and as sex- and age-matched Z score. The mean interval between BMD assessments was 41 months, during which period 27 patients used corticosteroids (mean dose 8.6 g) and 21 patients some form of bone protective medication. Initial Z scores at a mean age of 41 years were significantly below zero (spine -1.6 +/- 1.4; femur -1.4 +/- 1.4). Over time, no change in absolute BMD was observed accompanied by an improvement in Z scores. At the same time, an increase in body weight and a decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was observed. Multilinear regression analysis demonstrated change in ESR as independent predictor for change in femoral Z score. In conclusion, low BMD is frequent in Crohn's disease, but decline of BMD over time was not found, despite ongoing use of corticosteroids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mannaerts
authors.forename: L G M
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: van Rossum
authors.forename: F H M
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Corstens
authors.forename: A H J
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Naber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013256:Steroids; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D013256:Steroids