Metabolic bone disease in gastrointestinal illness

• Published in: Gastroenterology clinics of North America Vol. 36; no. 1; p. 161
• Main Authors: Williams, Susan E, Seidner, Douglas L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2007
• Subjects: Bariatric Surgery; Bone Density; Bone Diseases, Metabolic - diagnosis; Bone Diseases, Metabolic - etiology; Bone Diseases, Metabolic - physiopathology; Bone Diseases, Metabolic - therapy; Bone Resorption - diagnosis; Bone Resorption - etiology; Bone Resorption - physiopathology; Bone Resorption - therapy; Gastrectomy; Gastrointestinal Diseases - complications; Gastrointestinal Diseases - surgery; Humans; Liver Diseases - complications; Liver Diseases - surgery; Nutrition Disorders - complications; Nutrition Disorders - surgery
• ISSN: 0889-8553
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2007.01.005

Metabolic bone disease is often silent, often undiagnosed, and occurs frequently in patients with chronic gastrointestinal illnesses. Potentially modifiable risk factors, such as malnutrition, malabsorption, prolonged use of glucocorticoids, and a sedentary lifestyle, can lead to low bone mass, an increased rate of bone loss, and debilitating bone disease. This article explores common gastrointestinal illnesses that place patients at risk for developing metabolic bone disease. Concepts are presented to assist the practitioner in identifying patients at risk; clinical evaluation and diagnostic test selection are discussed, and therapeutic options for the prevention and treatment of metabolic bone disease in gastrointestinal illness are presented.