Osteopenia in primary biliary cirrhosis. Study in 20 patients Osteopenia en cirrosis biliar primaria. Estudio en 20 pacientes.

Abstract

We studied 20 female patients, aged 51 +/- 13.6 years old, with the diagnosis of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) to assess osteopenia, main involved sites and its relation to menopause, some parameters of mineral metabolism and the degree of histological liver involvement. The diagnosis of PBC was based in histological, clinical and laboratory features. Bone densitometry was measured with a dual-photon densitometer and compared with values of a normal female population from the laboratory. When compared to controls, studied patients had a significantly lower lumbar spine bone density and total bone mineral content and a non significantly lower density in femoral neck and total body. Serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, PTH and urinary calcium/creatinine ratio were within normal limits. Lumbar spine density was not significantly lower in patients with more severe liver histological involvement and in postmenopausal women. No correlation was found between the duration of postmenopausal