Relation of bone mineral density with severity of liver cirrhosis

ABSTRACT

Background: Osteoporosis is commonly associated with chronic liver disease. Pathologic fracture in osteoporotic patients affects quality of life as well as decrease life expectancy. Around 40% of patients with chronic liver disease may experience osteoporotic fracture. The present study was undertaken to observe the relation of bone mineral density (BMD) with severity of liver cirrhosis along with effects of smoking and alcohol.Methods: A total of 187 liver cirrhosis patients who were admitted in SMS Hospital were taken for study and were classified into class A, B, C as per Child Turcot Pugh’s classification, after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients underwent standard laboratory testing and bone densitometric studies of the lumbar spine using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. Statistical analysis done.Results: The bone mineral density was significantly low in Class C. Class C have 41 patients of osteoporosis out of 62 whereas only 16 patients have osteoporosis in Class B and only 1 case of osteoporosis in class A. Hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia were more in class C as in comparison to class A and B. Also, chronic smoking and alcohol intake were strongly associated with the severity of cirrhosis.Conclusions: The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis is higher in cirrhotic patients and significantly increases with severity. Hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia are also associated with the cirrhosis. Thus, patients should undergo routine bone densitometry assessment and, if necessary, to be treated for osteoporosis