ABSTRACT
Osteoporosis and osteopenia are frequently reported during chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, particularly in Crohn disease [CD]. To determine the frequency of osteoporosis and osteopenia of patients with CD and to study associated risk factors. A forward-looking study was performed about 56 cases of CD, 34 men and 22 women, aged 32+10.4 years [18-54 years], with no other disorders affecting osseous metabolism. A biphotonic X-rays absorptiometry densitometry [DEXA] was performed at femoral neck and lumbar spine. A multivariate statistical analysis was performed to check for factors contribiuting in lowing osseous mineral density. Osteoporosis and osteopenia are noticed with respective frequency of 35.7%and 23.2%. A statistically significant association is found between low osseous density on one hand and physical mass index [IMC], localisation on large bowel of the disease and corticotherapy on the other hand. The IMC was a risk factor independant from the two other factors. Under nutrition, with IMC<18 kg/m c, was observed at 21 patients. It was associated to a pathological densitometry in 76.2%of cases, versus 48.6%in patients having an IMC>18 kg/m c [p=0.03, Odds ratio 3.4]. Among risk factors involved in the osteoporosis during CD, the nutritional status plays an important role which must be taken into account in the treatment of these patients