Inflammatory bowel disease has a small effect on bone mineral density and risk for osteoporosis

Targeting the Endocannabinoidome: A Novel Approach to Managing Extraintestinal Complications in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder marked by persistent gastrointestinal inflammation and a spectrum of systemic effects, including extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) that impact the joints, skin, liver, and eyes. Conventional therapies primarily target intestinal inflammation, yet they frequently fail to ameliorate these systemic complications. Recent investigations have highlighted the complex interplay among the immune system, gut, and nervous system in IBD pathogenesis, thereby underscoring the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Keywords including "cannabinoids", "endocannabinoid system", "endocannabinoidome", "inflammatory bowel disease", and "extraintestinal manifestations" were used to identify peer-reviewed original research and review articles that explore the role of the endocannabinoidome (eCBome) in IBD. Results: Emerging evidence suggests that eCBome-a network comprising lipid mediators, receptors (e.g., CB1, CB2, GPR55, GPR35, PPARα, TRPV1), and metabolic enzymes-plays a critical role in modulating immune responses, maintaining gut barrier integrity, and regulating systemic inflammation. Targeting eCBome not only improves intestinal inflammation but also appears to mitigate metabolic, neurological, and extraintestinal complications such as arthritis, liver dysfunction, and dermatological disorders. Conclusions: Modulation of eCBome represents a promising strategy for comprehensive IBD management by addressing both local and systemic disease components. These findings advocate for further mechanistic studies to develop targeted interventions that leverage eCBome as a novel therapeutic avenue in IBD.

Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with greater odds of complications following posterior lumbar fusion and further amplified for patients exposed to monoclonal antibody biologics

Background

Posterior lumbar fusion (PLF) is a common spine surgery that may be considered in patients with underlying comorbidities, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Prior literature examining the association of this disease and PLF outcomes was done in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS), which only assessed in-hospital data and did not reveal an elevated risk of medical or surgical complications. However, characterization of PLF outcomes beyond hospital discharge is important and remains unknown for patients with IBD.

Methods

Patients with IBD who underwent single-level PLF ± interbody fusion were identified from the M165Ortho PearlDiver database. Exclusion criteria included: patients <18 years old, those undergoing concurrent cervical, thoracic, anterior, or multi-level fusion, those with prior trauma, neoplasm, or infection diagnosed within 90-days, and <90-days of follow-up. Adult patients with IBD were matched 1:4 with non-IBD patients based on age, sex, and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI). The odds of 90-day individual and aggregated any, severe, and minor adverse events (AAE, SAE, and MAE, respectively), emergency department (ED) visits, and hospital readmission were compared by multivariable logistic regression. Five-year reoperation was assessed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and compared by log-rank test.

Results

Overall, 4,392 (1.4%) of patients undergoing PLF were identified with IBD. These patients demonstrated elevated odds ratios (ORs) of aggregated MAE (OR 2.29), AAE (OR 2.27), and SAE (OR 1.84), as well as ED visits (OR 2.69) (p<.001 for all). Conversely, 5-year reoperation rates were not different for those with vs without IBD (p=.70).

Conclusions

The current study highlights the importance of investigating post-discharge outcomes, as these findings were not detected by prior inpatient literature. Our findings reveal the odds of various complications may be significantly elevated for IBD patients within 90-days postoperatively, however, these inferior outcomes encouragingly did not translate to an elevated rate of 5-year reoperation.

Bone health in inflammatory bowel disease

INTRODUCTION

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease characterized by the presence of systemic inflammation, manifesting not only as gastrointestinal symptoms but also as extraintestinal bone complications, including osteopenia and osteoporosis. However, the association between IBD and osteoporosis is complex, and the presence of multifactorial participants in the development of osteoporosis is increasingly recognized. Unlike in adults, delayed puberty and growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 axis abnormalities are essential risk factors for osteoporosis in pediatric patients with IBD.

AREAS COVERED

This article reviews the potential pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to osteoporosis in adult and pediatric patients with IBD and provides evidence for effective prevention and treatment, focusing on pediatric patients with IBD. A search was performed from PubMed and Web of Science inception to February 2023 to identify articles on IBD, osteoporosis, pediatric, and fracture risk.

EXPERT OPINION

A comprehensive treatment pattern based on individualized principles can be used to manage pediatric IBD-related osteoporosis.

Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with an increased risk of adverse events in patients undergoing joint arthroplasty

Aims

The present study aimed to investigate whether patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) undergoing joint arthroplasty have a higher incidence of adverse outcomes than those without IBD.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify eligible studies reporting postoperative outcomes in IBD patients undergoing joint arthroplasty. The primary outcomes included postoperative complications, while the secondary outcomes included unplanned readmission, length of stay (LOS), joint reoperation/implant revision, and cost of care. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model when heterogeneity was substantial.

Results

Eight retrospective studies involving 29,738 patients with IBD were included. Compared with non-IBD controls, patients with IBD were significantly more likely to have overall complications (OR 2.11 (95% CI 1.67 to 2.66), p < 0.001), medical complications (OR 2.15 (95% CI 1.73 to 2.68), p < 0.001), surgical complications (OR 1.43 (95% CI 1.21 to 1.70), p < 0.001), and 90-day readmissions (OR 1.42 (95% CI 1.23 to 1.65), p < 0.001). The presence of IBD was positively associated with the development of venous thromboembolism (OR 1.60 (95% CI 1.30 to 1.97), p < 0.001) and postoperative infection (OR 1.95 (95% CI 1.51 to 2.51), p < 0.001). In addition, patients with IBD tended to experience longer LOS and higher costs of care.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that IBD is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications and readmission after joint arthroplasty, resulting in longer hospital stay and greater financial burden. Surgeons should inform their patients of the possibility of adverse outcomes prior to surgery and make appropriate risk adjustments to minimize potential complications.

Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis evaluates causal associations between inflammatory bowel disease and osteoporosis

Introduction

Over the past few years, multiple observational studies have speculated a potential association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), and osteoporosis. However, no consensus has been reached regarding their interdependence and pathogenesis. Herein, we sought to further explore the causal associations between them.

Methods

We validated the association between IBD and reduced bone mineral density in humans based on genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data. To investigate the causal relationship between IBD and osteoporosis, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization study using training and validation sets. Genetic variation data for IBD, CD, UC, and osteoporosis were derived from published genome-wide association studies in individuals of European ancestry. After a series of robust quality control steps, we included eligible instrumental variables (SNPs) significantly associated with exposure (IBD/CD/UC). We adopted five algorithms, including MR Egger, Weighted median, Inverse variance weighted, Simple mode, and Weighted mode, to infer the causal association between IBD and osteoporosis. In addition, we evaluated the robustness of Mendelian randomization analysis by heterogeneity test, pleiotropy test, leave-one-out sensitivity test, and multivariate Mendelian randomization.

Results

Genetically predicted CD was positively associated with osteoporosis risk, with ORs of 1.060 (95% CIs 1.016, 1.106; p = 0.007) and 1.044 (95% CIs 1.002, 1.088; p = 0.039) for CD in the training and validation sets, respectively. However, Mendelian randomization analysis did not reveal a significant causal relationship between UC and osteoporosis (p > 0.05). Furthermore, we found that overall IBD was associated with osteoporosis prediction, with ORs of 1.050 (95% CIs 0.999, 1.103; p = 0.055) and 1.063 (95% CIs 1.019, 1.109; p = 0.005) in the training and validation sets, respectively.

Conclusion

We demonstrated the causal association between CD and osteoporosis, complementing the framework for genetic variants that predispose to autoimmune disease.

Effects of structured exercise programmes on physiological and psychological outcomes in adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Exercise has been suggested to counteract specific complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, its role as a therapeutic option remains poorly understood. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of exercise in IBD.

METHODS

Five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL and SPORTDiscus) and three registers (Clinicaltrials.gov, WHO ICTRP and ISRCTN) were searched from inception to September 2022, for studies assessing the effects of structured exercise of at least 4 weeks duration on physiological and/or psychological outcomes in adults with IBD. Two independent reviewers screened records, assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB 2.0) and ROBINS-I tools, and evaluated the certainty of evidence using the GRADE method. Data were meta-analysed using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

From 4,123 citations, 15 studies (9 RCTs) were included, comprising of 637 participants (36% male). Pooled evidence from six RCTs indicated that exercise improved disease activity (SMD = -0.44; 95% CI [-0.82 to -0.07]; p = 0.02), but not disease-specific quality of life (QOL) (IBDQ total score; MD = 3.52; -2.00 to 9.04; p = 0.21) when compared to controls. Although meta-analysis could not be performed for other outcomes, benefits were identified in fatigue, muscular function, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, bone mineral density and psychological well-being. Fourteen exercise-related non-serious adverse events occurred. The overall certainty of evidence was low for disease activity and very low for HRQOL as a result of downgrading for risk of bias and imprecision.

CONCLUSIONS

Structured exercise programmes improve disease activity, but not disease-specific QOL. Defining an optimal exercise prescription and synthesis of evidence in other outcomes, was limited by insufficient well-designed studies to ascertain the true effect of exercise training. This warrants further large-scale randomised trials employing standard exercise prescription to verify this effect to enable the implementation into clinical practice.

REGISTRATION

This systematic review was prospectively registered in an international database of systematic reviews in health-related research (CRD42017077992; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/).

Young Adult Male Patients With Childhood-onset IBD Have Increased Risks of Compromised Cortical and Trabecular Bone Microstructures

BACKGROUND

Young adults with childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have increased risks of low areal bone mineral density and low skeletal muscle mass. Volumetric BMD (vBMD), bone geometry and microstructures, in addition to possible associations with skeletal muscle index (SMI) and physical exercise have been scarcely studied in this patient group.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In total, 49 young adult male patients with childhood-onset IBD and 245 age- and height-matched young adult male controls were scanned with high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Bone geometry, vBMD, and bone microstructures were calculated as median values and compared between the patients and controls. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to determine the independent associations among IBD diagnosis, SMI (kg/m2), and physical exercise.

RESULTS

The group of young adult patients had, in comparison with the controls, significantly smaller median cortical area (126.1 mm2 vs151.1 mm2, P < .001), lower median total vBMD (296.7 mg/cm3 vs 336.7 mg/cm3, P < .001), and lower median cortical vBMD (854.4 mg/cm3 vs 878.5 mg/cm3, P < .001). Furthermore, the patients compared with the controls had lower median trabecular volume fraction (16.8% vs 18.2%, P < .001) and thinner median trabeculae (0.084 mm vs 0.089 mm, P < .001). The differences between the patients with IBD and controls persisted in multivariable analyses that included adjustments for SMI and physical exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

Young adult men with childhood-onset IBD are at increased risk of having reduced bone quality in both the cortical and trabecular bone structures compared with normative matched controls.

Health Maintenance Consensus for Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

With the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) becoming increasingly complex, incorporating preventive care health maintenance measures can be challenging. The aim of developing these updated recommendations is to provide more specific details to facilitate their use into a busy clinical practice setting.

METHOD

Fifteen statements were formulated with recommendations regarding the target, timing, and frequency of the health maintenance interventions in patients with IBD. We used a modified Delphi method and a literature review to establish a consensus among the panel of experts. The appropriateness of each health maintenance statement was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 (1-2 as inappropriate, and 4-5 as appropriate) by each panelist. Interventions were considered appropriate, and statements were accepted if ≥80% of the panelists agreed with a score ≥4.

RESULTS

The panel approved 15 health maintenance recommendations for adults with IBD based on the current literature and expert opinion. These recommendations include explicit details regarding specific screening tools, timing of screening, and vaccinations for adults with IBD.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IBD are at an increased risk for infections, malignancies, and other comorbidities. Given the complexity of caring for patients with IBD, this focused list of recommendations can be easily incorporated in to clinical care to help eliminate the gap in preventative care for patients with IBD.

Pathogenesis of Musculoskeletal Deficits in Children and Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Musculoskeletal deficits are among the most commonly reported extra-intestinal manifestations and complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially in those with Crohn’s disease. The adverse effects of IBD on bone and muscle are multifactorial, including the direct effects of underlying inflammatory disease processes, nutritional deficits, and therapeutic effects. These factors also indirectly impact bone and muscle by interfering with regulatory pathways. Resultantly, individuals with IBD are at increased risk of osteoporosis and sarcopenia and associated musculoskeletal morbidity. In paediatric IBD, these factors may contribute to suboptimal bone and muscle accrual. This review evaluates the main pathogenic factors associated with musculoskeletal deficits in children and adults with IBD and summarises the current literature and understanding of the musculoskeletal phenotype in these patients.

Serum N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen as a biomarker for predicting bone density loss in patients with Crohn disease

BACKGROUND

The serum N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) is significantly higher in patients with Crohn disease (CD) than in healthy individuals and patients with ulcerative colitis. This study aimed to investigate whether an elevated serum NTx level is a risk predictor of osteoporosis in patients with CD.

METHODS

Based on whether the femoral Z-score decreased over a 2-year period, 41 CD patients were divided into the ΔZ-score <0 group (Z-score decreased) and the ΔZ-score ≥0 group (Z-score did not decrease). The risk predictors of a femoral Z-score decrease were examined. Furthermore, we investigated the correlations between the ΔZ-score (which represents the change in the Z-score over a 2-year period) and the mean levels of biomarkers, including the Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI), serum albumin, C-reactive protein, and bone metabolism markers (including NTx) measured initially (i.e., in our previous study) and 2 years later (present study). The relationships between anti-tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNF-α) therapy and serum NTx levels were also examined.

RESULTS

Although there was no correlation between the mean CDAI and the ΔZ-score, the mean serum NTx and albumin levels were significantly correlated with the ΔZ-score (P<0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively). Furthermore, the femoral Z-score tended to be lower in the anti-TNF-α administration group than in the non-administration group.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations indicated that an elevated serum NTx could be a useful marker for predicting a decrease in the femoral bone mineral density in CD patients. Anti-TNF-α therapy maintained an elevated serum NTx level, suggesting that treatment with anti-TNF-α may help control increased bone resorption in CD patients.

Fractal-Based Analysis of Bone Microstructure in Crohn's Disease: A Pilot Study

Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with bone loss and increased fracture risk. TX-Analyzer™ is a new fractal-based technique to evaluate bone microarchitecture based on conventional radiographs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the TX-Analyzer™ of the thoracic and lumbar spine in CD patients and healthy controls (CO) and to correlate the parameters to standard imaging techniques. 39 CD patients and 39 age- and sex-matched CO were analyzed. Demographic parameters were comparable between CD and CO. Bone structure value (BSV), bone variance value (BVV) and bone entropy value (BEV) were measured at the vertebral bodies of T7 to L4 out of lateral radiographs. Bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were compared to TX parameters. BSV and BVV of the thoracic spine of CD were higher compared to controls, with no difference in BEV. Patients were further divided into subgroups according to the presence of a history of glucocorticoid treatment, disease duration > 15 years and bowel resection. BEV was significantly lower in CD patients with these prevalent risk factors, with no differences in BMD at all sites. Additionally, TBS was reduced in patients with a history of glucocorticoid treatment. Despite a not severely pronounced bone loss in this population, impaired bone quality in CD patients with well-known risk factors for systemic bone loss was assessed by TX-Analyzer™.

Mendelian randomization study of inflammatory bowel disease and bone mineral density

BACKGROUND

Recently, the association between inflammatory bowel disease (including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) and BMD has attracted great interest in the research community. However, the results of the published epidemiological observational studies on the relationship between inflammatory bowel disease and BMD are still inconclusive. Here, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the causal link between inflammatory bowel disease and level of BMD using publically available GWAS summary statistics.

METHODS

A series of quality control steps were taken in our analysis to select eligible instrumental SNPs which were strongly associated with exposure. To make the conclusions more robust and reliable, we utilized several robust analytical methods (inverse-variance weighting, MR-PRESSO method, mode-based estimate method, weighted median, MR-Egger regression, and MR.RAPS method) that are based on different assumptions of two-sample MR analysis. The MR-Egger intercept test, Cochran's Q test, and "leave-one-out" sensitivity analysis were performed to evaluate the horizontal pleiotropy, heterogeneities, and stability of these genetic variants on BMD. Outlier variants identified by the MR-PRESSO outlier test were removed step-by-step to reduce heterogeneity and the effect of horizontal pleiotropy.

RESULTS

Our two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis with two groups of exposure GWAS summary statistics and four groups of outcome GWAS summary statistics suggested a definitively causal effect of genetically predicted ulcerative colitis on TB-BMD and FA-BMD but not on FN-BMD or LS-BMD (after Bonferroni correction), and we merely determined a causal effect of Crohn's disease on FN-BMD but not on the others, which was somewhat inconsistent with many published observational researches. The causal effect of inflammatory bowel disease on TB-BMD was significant and robust but not on FA-BMD, FN-BMD, and LS-BMD, which might result from the cumulative effect of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease on BMDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our Mendelian randomization analysis supported the causal effect of ulcerative colitis on TB-BMD and FA-BMD. As to Crohn's disease, only the definitively causal effect of it on decreased FN-BMD was observed. Updated MR analysis is warranted to confirm our findings when a more advanced method to get less biased estimates and better precision or GWAS summary data with more ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients was available.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Nationwide Study of Hip Fracture and Mortality Risk After Hip Fracture

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

With rising rates of inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] in older adults, management of comorbidities such as osteoporosis is becoming increasingly important. Hip fracture [HF] is the most serious consequence of low bone mineral quality and is associated with excess risk of mortality. For older IBD patients, there are only limited data available. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association of IBD with HF, and all-cause mortality risk after HF, among IBD patients older than 50 years.

METHODS

In a national database-registered case-control study, 56 821 HF cases aged ≥50 years, and 113 718 age-, sex- and region-matched non-hip-fracture controls, were analysed between 2012 and 2016. A history of IBD was assessed from data from Austrian social health insurance funds. Logistic regression and Cox proportional multivariate models were used to test the association of IBD with HF and post-hip fracture mortality risk.

RESULTS

A total of 531 patients were identified with IBD (25.0% men, mean age 81.2 years, standard deviation [SD] 9.7). Analysis, adjusted for anti-osteoporotic treatment, use of glucocorticoids, and selected medications, showed that IBD patients had an increased odds of HF (odds ratio [[OR] 2.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.86-2.64). Patients with Crohn's disease [CD] revealed a higher HF odds in contrast to patients with ulcerative colitis [OR 2.91, 95% CI 2.17-3.89 and OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.52-2.35, respectively]. Overall mortality risk after HF was higher among female CD patients [HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.28-2.41] than in the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

IBD was strongly associated with HF in older patients. Post-hip fracture mortality risk was elevated particularly in women with CD.

Bone mineral density is negatively correlated with ulcerative colitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Newer epidemiological studies suggest that the incidence of ulcerative colitis might be increasing rapidly. Furthermore, osteoporosis in ulcerative colitis patients has gained great attention, but the epidemiologic evidence remains controversial. Therefore, a meta-analysis was performed to explore the association between bone density and ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

Two investigators used PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases to identify all studies published before August 2019. Depending on the outcomes, investigators divided these studies into four groups (OR, SMD [BMD], SMD [z-score] and SMD [t-score]). To address the use of steroids, which is a major confounding factor in this analysis, another subgroup analysis of studies of steroid-free patients was conducted. Additionally, heterogeneity, sensitivity and stratified analyses were also performed.

RESULTS

A total of 13 cross-sectional studies that involved 1154 participants were included in the present meta-analysis, and three of them were included in the steroid-free subgroup analysis. The pooled OR was 6.41 (95% CI 2.59-15.87) and the pooled SMD (BMD), SMD (t-score) and SMD (z-score) were - 0.24 (95% CI - 0.44 to - 0.04), - 0.55 (95% CI - 0.72 to - 0.37), and - 0.38 (95% CI - 0.56 and - 0.19), respectively. Since steroids are a significant confounder, the pooled SMD of the steroid-free subgroup was - 0.55 (- 0.85 to - 0.25), which revealed a strong negative relationship between bone density and ulcerative colitis in steroid-free patients. Additionally, other subgroup analyses also revealed a strong relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis provides evidence for the potential association between ulcerative colitis and decreased bone density. It is essential for clinicians to consider bone mineral density in ulcerative colitis patients regardless of steroid-therapy.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Risk of Osteoporotic Fractures: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its complications have been well-established. The literature shows an association between IBD and decreased bone mineral density in the adult population. However, most studies have reported an association between IBD and osteoporosis, while the risk of fractures has not been well-studied. The aim of this meta-analysis is to summarize the best available evidence regarding IBS and osteoporotic fractures. Methods A review of the literature using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed during November 2017. We included cross-sectional and cohort studies that reported the relative risks, odds ratios, and hazard ratios comparing the risk of developing osteoporotic fractures among patients with IBD patients, both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), versus patients without IBD as controls. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using the generic inverse-variance method. Results After a review of the literature, seven studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria established during the analysis. A significant association was found between IBD and osteoporosis, with a pooled OR of 1.32 (95% CI, 1.2 - 1.4). Low heterogeneity among the studies was found, I²=42.3. No publication bias was found using the Egger regression test p=0.18. Sensitivity analysis showed that the inclusion of data on children by Kappelman et al. (2007) did not change the results. Conclusion A significant association between IBD and the risk of developing osteoporotic fractures was observed in this study. There is a 32% increased risk, which is consistent with different cohort studies previously done.

Risk of Fractures in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Studies assessing the risk of fractures in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have shown controversial results.

GOALS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the risk of fractures in IBD.

STUDY

Electronic databases were searched for cohort studies assessing the risk of fractures in IBD. The outcomes were the risk of overall fractures and at specific sites, and the association between the risk of fractures and the proportion of patients with corticosteroid use or osteoporosis.

RESULTS

Ten studies including 470,541 patients were identified. The risk of overall fractures in IBD patients was similar to controls [odds ratio (OR), 1.08; P=0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72-1.62) with moderate heterogeneity (I=74.4%) which appeared to be due to the variable power and outcomes among the studies. The OR of fractures at the spine was significantly elevated at 2.21 (P<0.0001; 95% CI, 1.39-3.50) with low heterogeneity (I=26.1%). Meta-regression showed a correlation with the proportion of patients with steroid use. Risks of fractures at other sites (hip, rib, and wrist) were not elevated. Patients with fractures were more commonly on steroids compared with those without fractures (OR, 1.47; P=0.057; 95% CI, 0.99-2.20; I<0.0001%), but there was no correlation with osteoporosis.

CONCLUSIONS

IBD patients had no increased risk of overall fractures, but were at significantly increased risk of fractures at the spine, which was associated with steroid use. Strict surveillance and prevention of spine fractures are indicated in patients with IBD.

Bone Mineral Density and Bone Remodeling in Tunisian Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background:

A high prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis is observed in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Objective:

The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of bone loss, bone remodeling and risk factors in Tunisian patient with IBD.

Patients and Methods:

The study included 40 patients with IBD and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy controls subjects. All participants underwent bone densitometry by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at the femoral neck and lumbar spine. Serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin(OC), and urinary degradation products of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTXI) were measured in all participants to assess the bone metabolism status.

Results:

Twelve (30%) patients were normal, 32.5% were osteopenic and 37.5% were osteoporotic. Osteoporosis was more frequent in IBD patients than controls (p=0.0001). Age and inflammation were associated with low bone mineral density (BMD). Mean calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels were similar in both groups. Median 25(OH) D levels were significantly lower in IBD patients compared with controls (p=0.0001). Median urinary CTXI levels were significantly higher in IBD patients compared with healthy controls (p=0.007). No significant differences between IBD patients and controls concerning the median serum OC and PTH levels were found.

Conclusion:

In our study, there is a high prevalence of low BMD in IBD patients and an increase in bone resorption without a change of bone formation. Low BMI and hypovitaminoses D were identified as risk factors for low BMD.

Crohn's disease patient serum changes protein expression in a human mesenchymal stem cell model in a linear relationship to patients' disease stage and to bone mineral density

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with a higher prevalence of osteoporosis, a complication that is recognized as a significant cause of morbidity. Its pathogenesis is controversial, but the activity of CD is one contributing factor.

METHODS

We stimulated SCP-1 cells (mesenchymal stem cell line) under osteogenic conditions with serum from adult patients with CD in the symptomatic phase (SP) and in remission (R) and with control sera. Concentrations of IL-6, IL-1 beta, and TNF alpha in the sera were measured. Patients were classified as normal or osteopenic/osteoporotic based on bone mineral density (BMD) T-score measurements. After 14 days in culture, protein expression and gene ontology (GO) annotation analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Cytokine concentrations (IL-6, IL-1 beta, TNF alpha) varied within sera groups. None of the cytokines were significantly increased in the symptomatic phase compared to remission. Protein analysis revealed 17 proteins regulated by the SP versus R phase sera of disease. A linear relationship between CDAI (Crohn's disease activity index) and normalized protein expression of APOA1 and 2, TTR, CDKAL1 and TUBB6 could be determined. Eleven proteins were found to be differentially regulated comparing osteoporosis-positive and osteoporosis-negative sera. Gene annotation and further analysis identified these genes as part of heme and erythrocyte metabolism, as well as involved in hypoxia and in endocytosis. A significant linear relationship between bone mineral density and normalized protein expression could be determined for proteins FABP3 and TTR.

CONCLUSION

Our explorative results confirm our hypothesis that factors in serum from patients with CD change the protein expression pattern of human immortalized osteoblast like cells. We suggest, that these short time changes indeed influence factors of bone metabolism.

Obesity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Gains in Adiposity despite High Prevalence of Myopenia and Osteopenia

BACKGROUND

Rising rates of obesity have been reported in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, prospective data is lacking. The aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate body composition in adults with IBD over 24 months.

METHODS

Whole body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) data was performed at 0 months, 12 months, and 24 months. Bone mineral density (BMD), fat mass index (FMI (kg)/height (m²)), appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI (kg)/height (m²)), visceral adipose tissue and the visceral adipose height index (VHI, VAT area (cm³)/height (m²)), and clinical and anthropometric assessments were performed at each time point. Multivariable linear mixed effects regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Initially, 154 participants were assessed at baseline (70% Crohn's disease, 55% male, median age 31 years), of whom 129 underwent repeated DXA at 12 months, and 110 underwent repeated DXA at 24 months. Amongst those undergoing repeated DXA, their body mass index (BMI) significantly increased over time, such that by 24 months, 62% of patients were overweight or obese (annual change BMI β = 0.43, 95%CI = [0.18, 0.67], p = 0.0006). Gains in BMI related to increases in both FMI and VHI (β = 0.33, 95%CI = [0.14, 0.53], p = 0.0007; β = 0.08, 95%CI = [0.02, 0.13], p = 0.001; respectively), whereas ASMI decreased (β = -0.07, 95%CI = [-0.12, -0.01], p = 0.01) with a concordant rise in rates of myopenia (OR = 3.1 95%CI = [1.2, 7.7]; p = 0.01). Rates of osteopenia and osteoporosis were high (37%), but remained unchanged over time (p = 0.23).

CONCLUSION

Increasing rates of obesity in patients with IBD coincide with decreases in lean muscle mass over time, while high rates of osteopenia remain stable. These previously undocumented issues warrant attention in routine care to prevent avoidable morbidity.

The association of inflammatory bowel disease and immediate postoperative outcomes following lumbar fusion

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at more than 3.1 million people. As diagnostic techniques and treatment options for IBD improve, the prevalence of IBD is expected to increase. For spine surgeons, patients with IBD have a unique complication profile because patients with IBD may present with poor nutritional status and because the medications used to manage IBD have been associated with poor vertebral bone mineralization and immunosuppression. Presently, there are very limited data regarding perioperative outcomes among patients with IBD who undergo spinal surgery. The present study begins to address this knowledge gap by describing trends in patients with IBD undergoing lumbar fusion and by quantifying the association between IBD and immediate postoperative outcomes using a large, national database.

PURPOSE

To advance our understanding of the potential pitfalls and risks associated with lumbar fusion surgery in patients with IBD.

DESIGN/SETTING

Retrospective cross-sectional analysis.

PATIENT SAMPLE

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried from 1998 to 2011 to identify adult patients (18+) who underwent primary lumbar fusion operations using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) coding.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of lumbar fusion procedures, prevalence of IBD, complication rates, length of stay, and total hospital charges.

METHODS

The annual number of primary lumbar fusion operations performed between 1998 and 2011 was obtained from the NIS database. Patients younger than 18 years of age were excluded. The prevalence of IBD in this population (both Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis) was determined using ICD-9-CM codes. Logistic regression models were estimated to determine the association between IBD and the odds of postoperative medical and surgical complications, while controlling for patient demographics, comorbidity burden, and hospital characteristics. The complex survey design of the NIS was taken into account by clustering on hospitals and assuming an exchangeable working correlation using the discharge weights supplied by the NIS. We accounted for multiple comparisons using the Bonferroni correction and an alpha level for statistical significance of . 0028.

RESULTS

The prevalence of IBD is increasing among patients undergoing lumbar fusion, from 0.21% of all patients undergoing lumbar fusion in 1998 to 0.48% of all patients undergoing lumbar fusion in 2011 (p<.001). The odds of experiencing a postoperative medical or surgical complication were not significantly different when comparing patients with IBD with control patients without IBD after controlling for patient demographics, comorbidity burden, and hospital characteristics (adjusted odds ratio=1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99-1.3, p=.08). On multivariable analysis, the presence of IBD in patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery was associated with longer length of stay and greater hospitalization charges.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients who underwent lumbar fusion, IBD is a rare comorbidity that is becoming increasingly more common. Importantly, patients with IBD were not at increased risk of postoperative complications. Spine surgeons should be prepared to treat more patients with IBD and should incorporate the present findings into preoperative risk counseling and patient selection.

Bone Mass Development from Childhood into Young Adulthood in Patients with Childhood-onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Children who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have increased risk of low bone mineral density (BMD). There is a scarcity of information on BMD development through puberty and into young adulthood in patients with childhood-onset IBD.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective longitudinal study of BMD in patients with childhood-onset IBD. In total, 74 children with IBD were followed into young adulthood, with a mean follow-up of 8.4 years. The BMD was assessed longitudinally using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine, total hip and whole body, and related to anthropometric measures.

RESULTS

Young adult male patients with IBD had lower mean BMD Z-scores for the lumbar spine at -0.8 (±1.1 SD) and total hip at -0.5 (±0.9 SD), as compared to standard references. In young female patients, the BMD Z-scores were within the normal range at all 3 measured sites as compared to the standard references. There were no significant differences in the BMD Z-scores between patients with Crohn's disease and patients with ulcerative colitis. The female and male patients showed significantly improved mean lumbar spine BMD Z-scores during follow-up into young adulthood, indicating that bone accumulation in the lumbar spine continues beyond the expected age for achieving peak bone mass.

CONCLUSIONS

Male patients with childhood-onset IBD seem to have an increased risk of compromised BMD in young adulthood. Both female and male patients with IBD seem to increase their BMD beyond the age for expected peak bone mass (see Video abstract, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/IBD/B648).

Bone mineral density and inflammatory bowel disease severity

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD). In this study, the association between disease severity and BMD in patients with IBD was evaluated. Associations between BMD and the Montreal classification, disease activity and drug therapy were also tested. A cross-sectional prevalence study with a comparison group was conducted. One hundred and twenty-eight patients were evaluated: 68 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 60 with Crohn's disease (CD). The control group consisted of 67 healthy subjects. All patients and controls had BMD measured and in IBD patients, current medications, hospitalization, and disease location, extent and phenotype, according to the Montreal classification, were recorded. Multiple correspondence analysis was applied to evaluate categorical variables. In the CD group, most patients were diagnosed between 17-40 years of age. Ileocolonic and non-stricturing non-penetrating disease were the most frequent disease location and behavior, respectively. In UC patients, extensive colitis was the most frequent disease location. UC and CD patients were more likely to have osteopenia than controls (OR=14.93/OR=24.38, respectively). In the CD group, male patients, perianal disease, penetrating behavior and age at diagnosis >40 years were associated with low BMD. Taking azathioprine and infliximab also seemed to be associated with osteopenia. In the UC group, we observed an association between low BMD and male patients, left colitis, corticosteroid use and hospitalization. Disease activity was not associated with osteopenia or osteoporosis in CD and UC patients. Disease severity seems to be associated with osteopenia in IBD patients.

Widely differing screening and treatment practice for osteoporosis in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases in the Swiss IBD cohort study

Low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis remain frequent problems in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Several guidelines with nonidentical recommendations exist and there is no general agreement regarding the optimal approach for osteoporosis screening in IBD patients. Clinical practice of osteoporosis screening and treatment remains insufficiently investigated.In the year 2014, a chart review of 877 patients included in the Swiss IBD Cohort study was performed to assess details of osteoporosis diagnostics and treatment. BMD measurements, osteoporosis treatment, and IBD medication were recorded.Our chart review revealed 253 dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans in 877 IBD patients; osteoporosis was prevalent in 20% of tested patients. We identified widely differing osteoporosis screening rates among centers (11%-62%). A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified predictive factors for screening including steroid usage, long disease duration, and perianal disease; even after correction for all risk factors, the study center remained a strong independent predictor (odds ratio 2.3-21 compared to the center with the lowest screening rate). Treatment rates for patients with osteoporosis were suboptimal (55% for calcium, 65% for vitamin D) at the time of chart review. Similarly, a significant fraction of patients with current steroid medication were not treated with vitamin D or calcium (treatment rates 53% for calcium, 58% for vitamin D). For only 29% of patients with osteoporosis bisphosphonate treatment was started. Treatment rates also differed among centers, generally following screening rates. In patients with longitudinal DXA scans, calcium and vitamin D usage was significantly associated with improvement of BMD over time.Our analysis identified inconsistent usage of osteoporosis screening and underuse of osteoporosis treatment in IBD patients. Increasing awareness of osteoporosis as a significant clinical problem in IBD patients might improve patient care.

Clinicians' adherence to international guidelines in the clinical care of adults with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Although evidence-based guidelines have been developed for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the extent to which they are followed is unclear. The objective of this study was to review clinicians' adherence to international IBD guidelines.

METHODS

Retrospective data collection of patients attending a tertiary Australian hospital IBD clinic over a 12-month period. Management practices were audited and compared to ECCO (European Crohn's and Colitis Organization) guidelines.

RESULTS

Data from 288 patients were collected: 47% (136/288) male; mean age 43; 140/288 (49%) patients had ulcerative colitis (UC); 145/288 (50%) patients had Crohn's disease (CD); 3/288 (1%) patients had IBD-unclassified (IBD-U). Patient care was undertaken by gastroenterologists, trainees and general practitioners.

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Overall adherence to disease management guidelines occurred in 204/288 (71%) of patient encounters. Discrepancies between guidelines and management were found in: 25/80 (31%) of patients with UC in remission receiving oral 5-aminosalicyclates (5-ASAs) as maintenance therapy, and; 46/110 (42%) of patients with small bowel and/or ileo-cecal CD receiving 5-ASA. Preventive Care: Adherence to ≥1 additional component of preventive care was observed in 73/288 (25%) of patient encounters: 12/133 (9%) on thiopurines underwent annual skin checks; 61/288 (21%) of patients with IBD underwent a bone scan; 46/288 (16%) patients were reminded to have their influenza vaccine. Psychological care: Assessment of psychological wellbeing was undertaken in only 16/288 (6%) of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

There remains a gap between adherence to international guidelines and clinical practice. Standardizing practice using evidence-based clinical pathways may be a strategy towards improving the quality of IBD outpatient management.

ACG Clinical Guideline: Preventive Care in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Recent data suggest that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients do not receive preventive services at the same rate as general medical patients. Patients with IBD often consider their gastroenterologist to be the primary provider of care. To improve the care delivered to IBD patients, health maintenance issues need to be co-managed by both the gastroenterologist and primary care team. Gastroenterologists need to explicitly inform the primary care provider of the unique needs of the IBD patient, especially those on immunomodulators and biologics or being considered for such therapy. In particular, documentation of up to date vaccinations are crucial as IBD patients are often treated with long-term immune-suppressive therapies and may be at increased risk for infections, many of which are preventable with vaccinations. Health maintenance issues addressed in this guideline include identification, safety and appropriate timing of vaccinations, screening for osteoporosis, cervical cancer, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer as well as identification of depression and anxiety and smoking cessation. To accomplish these health maintenance goals, coordination between the primary care provider, gastroenterology team and other specialists is necessary.

Contraceptive Considerations for Women with Gastrointestinal Disorders

Gastroenterologists are in a unique position to assist women with chronic gastrointestinal disorders in order to optimize their health prior to pregnancy. Women, whether with chronic conditions or not, and their infants are more likely to be healthy when pregnancies are planned. Achieving a planned pregnancy at the ideal time or preventing pregnancy altogether requires the use of appropriate contraceptives. There is a broad range of contraceptives available to women in the USA, and the majority of women with digestive diseases will be candidates for all effective methods. Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aids clinicians in prescribing appropriate contraceptives to women with medical disorders. This review will focus on contraception for women with inflammatory bowel disease and chronic liver disease, including liver transplant.

Efficacy and safety of bisphosphonates in management of low bone density in inflammatory bowel disease: A meta-analysis

This study aims to determine whether bisphosphonates are safe, as well as effective against bone mineral loss in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A computerized search of electronic databases from 1966 to 2016 was performed. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this review to evaluate the role of bisphosphonates in the management of osteoporosis in IBD patients. A revised 7-point Jadad scale was used to evaluate the quality of each study. Overall, 13 RCTs and 923 patients met the inclusion criteria of this meta-analysis. The result showed that bisphosphonates decreased bone mass density (BMD) loss at the lumbar spine (P = 0.0002), reduced the risk of new fractures (P = 0.01), and retained the similar adverse events (P = 0.86). Bisphosphonates may provide protection and safety against bone mineral loss in IBD patients.

Clinical Course of Bone Metabolism Disorders in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A 5-Year Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

The clinical course of bone mineral density (BMD) disorders and the efficacy of treatment of osteopenia and osteoporosis have been poorly studied in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The objective was to study the course of BMD disorders in patients with IBD, analyze the factors influencing their development, and assess the effect of treatment with calcium, vitamin D, and bisphosphonates.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with IBD were included and followed up for 5 years. After a baseline densitometry, calcium (1000 mg/d) and vitamin D (800 IU/d) were administered to patients with osteopenia; bisphosphonates to patients with osteoporosis; and patients with normal BMD were only followed-up. After completing the follow-up period, a second densitometry was performed.

RESULTS

One hundred patients were initially included, 60% having a low BMD (44% osteopenia and 16% osteoporosis). Fifty-eight patients completed the follow-up period. At baseline, osteopenia was more frequently found in Crohn's disease than in ulcerative colitis (63% versus 21%, P < 0.05). In patients with normal BMD at baseline, age, smoking habit, and the presence of flares during follow-up were associated with the development of osteopenia. Treatment with calcium and vitamin D improved the hip T-score in patients with osteopenia (-1.03 versus -0.58, P < 0.001) and bisphosphonates provided the same improvement (-1.482 versus -1.072, P < 0.05) in patients with osteoporosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, smoking habit, and IBD activity negatively influence the clinical course of BMD. Treatment with calcium and vitamin D improves hip T-score in patients with osteopenia whereas bisphosphonates improve hip T-score in patients with osteoporosis.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of lactose digestion, its impact on intolerance and nutritional effects of dairy food restriction in inflammatory bowel diseases

BACKGROUND

Relationships between inflammatory bowel disease and lactose containing foods remain controversial and poorly defined regarding symptoms, nutritional outcomes, and epidemiologic associations for lactose maldigestion.

METHODS

A literature review was performed using Pub Med, Cochrane library and individual references, to extract data on lactose maldigestion prevalence in inflammatory bowel diseases. A meta-analysis was done using selected articles, to determine odds ratios of maldigestion. Information was collected about symptoms, impact on pattern of dairy food consumption, as well as the effects of dairy foods on the course of inflammatory bowel diseases.

RESULTS

A total of 1022 articles were evaluated, 35 articles were retained and 5 studies were added from review articles. Of these 17 were included in meta-analysis which showed overall increased lactose maldigestion in both diseases. However increased risk on sub analysis was only found in Crohn's in patients with small bowel involvement. Nine additional studies were reviewed for symptoms, with variable outcomes due to confounding between lactose intolerance and lactose maldigestion. Fourteen studies were evaluated for dairy food effects. There was a suggestion that dairy foods may protect against inflammatory bowel disease. Nutritional consequences of dairy restrictions might impact adversely on bone and colonic complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Lactose maldigestion in inflammatory bowel disease is dependent on ethnic makeup of the population and usually not disease. No bias of increased disease prevalence was noted between lactase genotypes. Intolerance symptoms depend on several parameters besides lactose maldigestion. Dairy foods may decrease risks of inflammatory bowel disease. Dairy restrictions may adversely affect disease outcome.

Prediction of low bone mineral density in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases

BACKGROUND

Low bone mineral density (BMD) remains a frequent problem in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). There is no general agreement regarding osteoporosis screening in IBD patients.

METHODS

Cases of low BMD and disease characteristics were retrieved from 3172 patients of the Swiss IBD cohort study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted for predictive modeling. In a subgroup of 877 patients, 253 dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were available for validation.

RESULTS

Low BMD was prevalent in 19% of patients. We identified seven predictive factors: type of IBD, age, recent steroid usage, low body mass index, perianal disease, recent high disease activity and malabsorption syndrome. Low BMD could be predicted with a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 64%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 35% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 93%. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristics was 0.78. In the validation cohort we calculated a PPV of 26% and an NPV of 88%.

CONCLUSION

We provide a comprehensive analysis of risk factors for low BMD and propose a predictive model with seven clinical variables. The high NPV of models such as ours might help in excluding low BMD to prevent futile investigations.

High-resolution Quantitative Computed Tomography Demonstrates Structural Defects in Cortical and Trabecular Bone in IBD Patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To investigate the macro- and microstructural changes of bone in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] and to define the factors associated with bone loss in IBD.

METHODS

A total of 148 subjects, 59 with Crohn's disease [CD], 39 with ulcerative colitis [UC], and 50 healthy controls were assessed for the geometric, volumetric and microstructural properties of bone using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. In addition, demographic and disease-specific characteristics of IBD patients were recorded.

RESULTS

IBD patients and controls were comparable in age, sex, and body mass index. Total [p = 0.001], cortical [p < 0.001], and trabecular volumetric bone mineral density [BMD] [p = 0.03] were significantly reduced in IBD patients compared with healthy controls. Geometric and microstructural analysis revealed significantly lower cortical area [p = 0.001] and cortical thickness [p < 0.001] without differences in cortical porosity, pore volume, or pore diameter. CD showed a more severe bone phenotype than UC: cortical bone loss was observed in both diseases, but CD additionally showed profound trabecular bone loss with reduced trabecular BMD [p = 0.008], bone volume [p = 0.008], and trabecular thickness [p = 0.009]. Multivariate regression models identified the diagnosis of CD, female sex, lower body mass index, and the lack of remission as factors independently associated with bone loss in IBD.

CONCLUSION

IBD patients develop significant cortical bone loss, impairing bone strength. Trabecular bone loss is limited to CD patients, who exhibit a more severe bone phenotype compared with UC patients.

Advances in nutritional therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases: Review

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are chronic, life-long, and relapsing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Currently, there are no complete cure possibilities, but combined pharmacological and nutritional therapy may induce remission of the disease. Malnutrition and specific nutritional deficiencies are frequent among IBD patients, so the majority of them need nutritional treatment, which not only improves the state of nutrition of the patients but has strong anti-inflammatory activity as well. Moreover, some nutrients, from early stages of life are suspected as triggering factors in the etiopathogenesis of IBD. Both parenteral and enteral nutrition is used in IBD therapy, but their practical utility in different populations and in different countries is not clearly established, and there are sometimes conflicting theories concerning the role of nutrition in IBD. This review presents the actual data from research studies on the influence of nutrition on the etiopathogenesis of IBD and the latest findings regarding its mechanisms of action. The use of both parenteral and enteral nutrition as therapeutic methods in induction and maintenance therapy in IBD treatment is also extensively discussed. Comparison of the latest research data, scientific theories concerning the role of nutrition in IBD, and different opinions about them are also presented and discussed. Additionally, some potential future perspectives for nutritional therapy are highlighted.

An Increased Serum N-Terminal Telopeptide of Type I Collagen, a Biochemical Marker of Increased Bone Resorption, Is Associated with Infliximab Therapy in Patients with Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

Osteopenia and osteoporosis are considered to be extra-intestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α biologics have been introduced as novel medications for an active IBD. However, it is still not well documented whether anti-TNF-α affects the frequency of bone loss or abnormality of bone mineral markers among patients with IBD.

AIMS

This study was to investigate the biochemical basis of low bone mineral density (BMD) and increased turnover in IBD during infliximab (IFX) therapy.

METHODS

Forty patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 80 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 65 age- and gender-matched controls were included. BMD was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and vitamins K and D were measured as serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) and 1,25-(OH)2D, respectively. Bone formation and resorption were based on measuring bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and serum N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx), respectively.

RESULTS

Significantly lower BMD was found in patients with UC and CD as compared to controls (P < 0.05). BAP, 1,25-(OH)2D, ucOC, and NTx were significantly higher in CD patients, but not in UC patients as compared to controls (P < 0.05). Further, serum NTx level was significantly higher in CD patients who were receiving IFX as compared to CD patients who were not receiving IFX (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

A lower BMD and higher bone metabolism markers were found in CD patients as compared to controls or UC patients. A significant increased serum level of NTx, a biochemical marker of increased bone resorption, was observed in CD patients during IFX therapy.

Low muscle mass and sarcopenia: common and predictive of osteopenia in inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Body composition is poorly studied in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Sarcopenia describes a loss of muscle mass and strength.

AIM

To assess the prevalence of low lean mass (LM), sarcopenia and associated morbidity in an adult IBD cohort.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data were gathered on pre-menopausal 18- to 50-year-old patients with IBD. Whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, anthropometric assessment and grip strength were performed. Low LM was defined as ≥1 s.d. below the population mean for appendicular skeletal muscle index [ASMI (kg)/height (m)²], and sarcopenia as both ASMI and grip strength ≥1 s.d. below population mean. Multivariate regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Of 137 participants (median age 31 years, BMI 24.8 kg/m(2) ), 56% were male and 69% had Crohn's disease (CD). Low LM and sarcopenia were observed in 21% and 12% of patients, respectively, and osteopenia/osteoporosis in 38% of patients (mean lumbar spine t-score -0.3 ± s.d. 1.1). Grip strength predicted low LM and sarcopenia better than did body mass index (BMI) (OR 4.8 vs. OR 0.7 for low-LM, P < 0.05 both). Normal BMI was falsely reassuring in 72% and 76% of patients with low ASMI and sarcopenia, respectively. Low LM and sarcopenia (OR = 3.6, P = 0.03; OR = 6.3, P = 0.02; respectively), but not BMI nor fat mass, predicted osteopenia/osteoporosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Low lean mass and sarcopenia are common in patients with IBD, and important to recognise as they predict osteopenia/osteoporosis. Grip strength testing should be incorporated into routine clinical practice to detect low lean mass deficits, which may go unrecognised using BMI alone.

Risks and predictors of osteoporosis in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases in an Asian population: a nationwide population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

We investigated the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) specific predictors of osteoporosis and pathological fracture by analysing the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

METHODS

Totally, we enrolled 3141 IBD patients and 12,564 age- and sex-matched controls. We calculated the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of osteoporosis and pathological fracture in both cohorts.

RESULTS

Inflammatory bowel disease patients had significantly higher comorbidity-adjusted rates of osteoporosis and pathological fracture compared with controls [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.31; 95% CI, 1.09-1.60, p = 0.004]. Further analysis indicated that women (aHR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.09-1.70, p = 0.008), middle-aged patients (aHR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.25-2.41, p = 0.001), patients with Crohn's disease (aHR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.09-1.64, p = 0.006) and patients without comorbidities (aHR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.23-2.67, p = 0.003) exhibited excessive risks of osteoporosis. Moreover, patients requiring hospitalisation for IBD exhibited the highest risk of developing osteoporosis (aHR, 4.46; 95% CI, 2.74-7.27, p < 0.001) and pathological fracture (aHR, 17.1; 95% CI, 5.78-50.9, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IBD, particularly women, middle-aged patients and patients without comorbidities, are associated with a long-term risk of osteoporosis. The risks of osteoporosis and pathological fracture were highest in patients requiring hospitalisation for IBD.

Risk factors for decreased bone mineral density in inflammatory bowel disease: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND & AIM

Although inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at risk for metabolic bone disease, studies analyzing this correlation have identified various risk factors, including disease phenotype, age, sex and steroid therapy. Furthermore, few studies have assessed risk factors for bone loss in Japanese IBD patients. This study analyzed risk factors for metabolic bone disease in Japanese IBD patients.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study assessed 388 patients with IBD aged 20-50 years, including 232 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 156 with Crohn's disease (CD). Bone mineral density of the femoral neck, total femur and lumbar spine was quantified by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The blood concentrations of bone metabolism markers were measured. History of smoking and bone fracture, and nutritional intake were assessed using questionnaires.

RESULTS

Of the 388 patients with IBD, 78 (20.1%; UC, 17.2%; CD, 24.4%) had osteopenia and 17 (4.4%; UC, 3.4%; CD, 5.8%) had osteoporosis, as assessed by T-score. Bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae was lower in males than in females. Multivariate regression analysis showed that risk factors for bone loss in UC patients were male sex, low body mass index (BMI), high steroid dose and disease location. Risk factors for bone loss in CD patients were male sex and low BMI.

CONCLUSION

Among Japanese patients with IBD, male sex and low BMI were associated with increased risk for metabolic bone disease. In addition, Steroid therapy shouldn't be indiscriminate in UC patients. These findings may help identify patients at particularly high risk of metabolic bone disease and may help implement appropriate therapies in a timely manner and improve long-term quality of life.

Differential diagnosis in inflammatory bowel disease colitis: State of the art and future perspectives

Distinction between Crohn’s disease of the colon-rectum and ulcerative colitis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) type unclassified can be of pivotal importance for a tailored clinical management, as each entity often involves specific therapeutic strategies and prognosis. Nonetheless, no gold standard is available and the uncertainty of diagnosis may frequently lead to misclassification or repeated examinations. Hence, we have performed a literature search to address the problem of differential diagnosis in IBD colitis, revised current and emerging diagnostic tools and refined disease classification strategies. Nowadays, the differential diagnosis is an untangled issue, and the proper diagnosis cannot be reached in up to 10% of patients presenting with IBD colitis. This topic is receiving emerging attention, as medical therapies, surgical approaches and leading prognostic outcomes require more and more disease-specific strategies in IBD patients. The optimization of standard diagnostic approaches based on clinical features, biomarkers, radiology, endoscopy and histopathology appears to provide only marginal benefits. Conversely, emerging diagnostic techniques in the field of gastrointestinal endoscopy, molecular pathology, genetics, epigenetics, metabolomics and proteomics have already shown promising results. Novel advanced endoscopic imaging techniques and biomarkers can shed new light for the differential diagnosis of IBD, better reflecting diverse disease behaviors based on specific pathogenic pathways.

Health maintenance and inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, specifically those with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are at an increased risk of developing adverse events either related to disease course or therapeutic interventions. These risks can be mitigated by ensuring the patient is current on all aspects of their general health maintenance. This article is intended to serve as a guide regarding the health maintenance issues of the patient with IBD with recommendations for screening and surveillance intervals.

Risk factors and management of osteoporosis in inflammatory bowel disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide a synopsis on established and new research evaluating bone disease in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

RECENT FINDINGS

Persons with IBD, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are believed to be at high risk for osteoporosis and fracture. As osteoporosis is clinically silent and persons with IBD are not universally screened, the burden of bone disease in IBD has been difficult to accurately assess. It is also unclear whether bone disease is due to inflammatory activity, medication use, poor nutrient intake/absorption, or body habitus characteristics. Recent studies using population-wide databases of bone mineral density (BMD) analyses suggest that Crohn's disease is responsible for a small effect on BMD after adjusting for other risk factors for low BMD, whereas ulcerative colitis does not appear to confer an independent risk. Furthermore, IBD does not appear to be a risk for overall fracture once controlling for factors which are associated with both IBD and fracture risk. The ability to assess BMD on incidentally performed computed tomography scans may allow detection of low BMD in IBD patients.

SUMMARY

Although reduced BMD and fracture are more common in persons with IBD, the precise burden is not well characterized. Also, the relative impact of IBD-associated factors and IBD-specific inflammation on bone health is still uncertain.

Inflammatory bowel disease and the risk of osteoporosis and fracture

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is commonly believed to increase the risk of bone mineral loss, leading to osteoporosis and an increased risk of disabling fractures. In this narrative review, we will presenting a summary of the published medical literature in regards to the relationship between IBD and the development of osteoporosis, bone mineral loss, and fractures. We will explore the epidemiology of metabolic bone disease in IBD, focusing on the prevalence and both the general and IBD-specific risk factors for the development of osteoporosis and of fracture in persons with IBD. We will also examine the role of the inflammatory process in IBD promoting excessive bone mineral loss, as well as the role that low body mass, corticosteroid use, diet, and nutrient malabsorption play in contributing to bone disease. Last, we will discuss our recommendation for: screening for osteoporosis in IBD patients, the use of preventative strategies, and therapeutic interventions for treating osteoporosis in persons with IBD.