The Comparison of Bone Mineral Density between Patients with Chronic Liver Disease and the Control Group

Metabolic bone disease is a common complication of long-standing liver disease that results in osteopenic and osteoporotic bones. It can significantly affect morbidity and quality of life of these patients. Fractures are also associated with an increased mortality. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of bone mineral density (BMD) between patients with chronic liver disease and healthy control group. Thirty patients with chronic liver disease and twenty-seven individuals without chronic liver disease (Control group) were enrolled in this study. The chronic liver disease group included post hepatitis cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, and primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. The cirrhotic patients were divided to Child- A, Child- B and Child- C by severity. The control group was free of any hepatic disease and any other factor leading to alterations in bone density. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at lumbar spine and femoral neck. Although statistically not significant, the mean bone mass (mean Z. Score) was lower and the frequency of osteoporosis was higher in chronic liver disease compared to those of the control group (P>0.05). The mean bone mass was decreased from Child-A to Child-C (P>0.05). The results of this study confirmed that chronic liver disease could reduce BMD and increase the frequency of osteoporosis. This risk increases with severity of cirrhosis. The evaluation of the patients according to their age, gender and Child classification, and also having the risk factors for osteoporosis is necessary for performing BMD screen test for those who have chronic liver disease.