Lack of vitamin D ‘puts IBD patients at greater risk of osteoporosis’

WASHINGTON - A new study has revealed that vitamin D deficiency in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) makes them prone to osteoporosis, osteopenia and increases the rate of abnormal bone density.

The study conducted on 161 IBD patients suggested that, reduction in bone density with a diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia was found in 22 percent of these patients, 50 percent of whom were under age 50.

Children and adults with IBD between the ages of 10 and 70 participated in the prospective study between 2008 and 2010.

“IBD patients with an abnormal bone density exam had a significantly higher rate of Vitamin D deficiency than those who had normal DEXA scans,” said Bincy P. Abraham, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Baylor Clinic Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program.

Abraham, who presented the findings, said that previous research has suggested a high prevalence of osteoporosis and overall abnormal bone density in IBD patients that is likely caused by calcium and Vitamin D malabsorption.

“We aimed to determine the association between Vitamin D deficiency and abnormal bone density in IBD patients,” he added.

According the study, Crohn’s disease patients with Vitamin D deficiency were four times more likely to have a higher rate of abnormal bone density exams compared to patients with ulcerative colitis.

“Abnormal bone density was relatively high among our IBD patients with Vitamin D deficiency irrespective to age, gender or corticosteroid use that would place them at a significantly higher risk of having an abnormal DEXA result. It remains important for those caring for IBD patients to evaluate for Vitamin D nutritional deficiency and for its potential consequence of osteopenia or osteoporosis,” Abraham Concluded.

The findings of the research were unveiled at the American College of Gastroenterology’s (ACG) 75th Annual Scientific meeting. (ANI)