Editorial
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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 28, 2010; 16(44): 5536-5542
Published online Nov 28, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i44.5536
Clinical relevance of changes in bone metabolism in inflammatory bowel disease
Pal Miheller, Katalin Lőrinczy, Peter Laszlo Lakatos
Pal Miheller, Katalin Lőrinczy, Peter Laszlo Lakatos, 1st Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
Author contributions: Miheller P, Lőrinczy K and Lakatos PL co-authored this paper.
Correspondence to: Dr. Peter Laszlo Lakatos, MD, PhD, 1st Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Koranyi S 2A, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary. kislakpet@bel1.sote.hu
Telephone: +36-1-2100278 Fax: +36-1-3130250
Received: August 12, 2010
Revised: September 18, 2010
Accepted: September 25, 2010
Published online: November 28, 2010
Abstract

Low bone mineral density is an established, frequent, but often neglected complication in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Data regarding the diagnosis, therapy and follow-up of low bone mass in IBD has been partially extrapolated from postmenopausal osteoporosis; however, the pathophysiology of bone loss is altered in young patients with IBD. Fracture, a disabling complication, is the most important clinical outcome of low bone mass. Estimation of fracture risk in IBD is difficult. Numerous risk factors have to be considered, and these factors should be weighed properly to help in the identification of the appropriate patients for screening. In this editorial, the authors aim to highlight the most important clinical aspects of the epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of IBD-related bone loss.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn’s disease; Osteoporosis; Osteopenia; Prevention