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

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.