Prospective Study of Profile of Hepatic Osteodystrophy in Patients With Non-Choleastatic Liver Cirrhosis and Impact of Bisphosphonate Supplementation

Background and Objectives: Patients with liver cirrhosis are more prone to develop reduced bone mineral density i.e. hepatic osteodystrophy (HOD). It includes both osteopenia and osteoporosis and may lead to increased fracture risks. There is scanty data on prevalence of HOD in Indian population and its treatment outcome. The investigators aimed to determine prevalence of HOD, factors associated with it and the impact of bisphosphonates on bone mineral density in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Patients and Methods: Consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi between August 2012 and July 2013 were enrolled. Patients with chronic kidney disease, hyperparathyroidism and those on steroids were excluded. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Osteopenia and osteoporosis were defined according to WHO criteria. All patients also underwent 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D, sex hormone (testosterone in male and LH and Estradiol in female) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) along with routine investigations. Transient elastography was also done in all patients. Ibandronic acid 150 mg per day orally for six months was given in patients with osteoporosis and DEXA scan repeated.