Bone Mineral Content in Patients with Crohn's Disease: A Longitudinal Study in Patients with Bowel Resections

Background: Low hone mineral content (BMC) has been reported in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of the present study was to measure BMC in patients with Crohn's disease. Methods: BMC was monitored for a mean period of 5.5 years in 108 patients. The patients were divided into two groups: group A, patients with the colon preserved; group B, patients with a resected colon. The mean length of the resected small intestine was 90 cm. Results: The BMC of the lumbar spine expressed as Z-score ((actual value — mean)/s) was significantly reduced: mean Z-score for group A, −0.51, P < 0.05; group B, −0.80, P < 0.001. The BMC of the femoral neck was significantly reduced: mean Z-score for group A, -1.24, P < 0.001; group B, - 1.23, P < 0.001. A Z-score below -2.0 of spine or femoral neck BMC was found in 10% and 23% of the patients, respectively. The BMC of the femoral neck decreased significantly in both groups during the study period (group A, −2.2%, P < 0.001; group B, −1.21%, P < 0.05). The BMC o...