Abstract Background Because of glucocorticoids, chronic inflammation, malabsorption, and other factors, patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at varying risk for osteoporosis (OP) and decreased bone mineral density. This puts individuals at risk for osteoporotic fractures, which have a negative impact on their quality of life. The purpose of this study is to measure bone turnover markers (BTMs) representing bone resorption and formation in an Egyptian cohort of IBD patients, compare them to healthy controls, and investigate their relationship to disease activity, extension, and treatment modalities. Methods The cross-sectional study included 92 participants: 45 IBD patients, 25 ulcerative colitis (UC), 20 Crohn’s disease (CD), and 47 controls. Overnight fasting blood samples were withdrawn for BTMs including bone formation markers (Procollagen I N-terminal propeptide {PINP} and bone specific alkaline phosphatase {BSAP}), bone resorptive marker (C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen {CTX}). Results Serum CTX, PINP, and BALP levels increased significantly in IBD patients, indicating increased turnover and metabolic bone disease, but there were no significant differences between the UC and CD groups. In terms of disease activity and intestinal involvement, BTM levels in UC and CD patients were comparable. Anti-tumour necrosis-α (anti-TNF-α) users had considerably reduced CTX and PINP increases compared to non-users. Conclusion Biochemical testing with BTMs may be useful in the initial evaluation of bone health in IBD patients. Anti-TNF-α users were less likely to experience bone alterations compared to non-users.
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