Abstract
Alterations in bone mineral are a common complication of chronic liver disease. The aim of the current study was to assess bone mineral status in patients with chronic liver disease not treated with corticosteroids and to investigate any possible correlation with the histological stage of liver disease. Bone mineral status in 27 patient with chronic active hepatitis, and 17 with active cirrhosis was compared to that of matched controls. Partial body neutron activation analysis was applied for measuring hand bone phosphorus, single-photon absorptiometry for measuring forearm bone mineral content, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for measuring spinal bone mineral density. These noninvasive measurements were supplemented with data obtained by high resolution radiography and biochemistry. Decreased metacarpal cortical thickness was found in five patients, all in the cirrhotic group. In addition, both mean intact parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were reduced in this group of patients. The mean values of the quantities assessed by the in vivo techniques in patients in the early stages of the hepatic disease did not differ statistically from those of matched normal controls. On the contrary, these quantities were reduced by 9% in the patients at the late stages relative to controls. In conclusion, only the late stages of liver disease are associated with an increased risk of fractures.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
