PREVALENCE OF OSTEOPOROSIS IN CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE (CLD) PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Metabolic bone disease complicating chronic liver disease (CLD) has become a major clinical problem.

Methods: Our study was a prospective case control study included 70 cases and 70 controls. Patients with CLD falling in age group of 18 to 65 years constituted cases group. They were thoroughly examined and were subjected to baseline investigations including kidney function test, serum calcium levels, serum phosphorus levels, liver function test, complete blood count, lipid profile. All subjects were subjected to Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) Scan (GE Lunar-1 Co. Prototype).

Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis in our study at femur neck in the cases was 45.7% vs. 18% in the control group (p=0.001), while at L1-L2 it was 41.4% in cases vs. 15.7 %( p=0.001) in control group. No difference was found when both sites i.e. femur and L1-L2 were compared with each other (p=0.84, chi square of 0.33 in cases and p=0.58, chi square of 1.07 in case of controls).Prevalence of osteoporosis in our study in female cases and controls was higher than male counterparts both at femur and L1-L2. Peripheral DEXA and central DEXA had no difference in detecting osteoporosis among male and female sex.

Conclusion: CLD is an independent risk factor for osteoporosis, hence patients who are first time diagnosed CLD should be screened for osteoporosis with central or peripheral DEXA, and subsequently managed to prevent complications and morbidity associated with osteoporosis.