[Osteopathies and calcium absorption in chronic liver diseases]

Enteral calcium absorption was determined in 18 patients with non-obstructive liver disease (16 with liver cirrhosis, 2 with chronic hepatitis). There was no significant difference in comparison with healthy persons. Osteoporosis in patients with chronic liver disease probably is not due to impaired calcium absorption but to other complications of liver disease as immobility, muscle atrophy, chronic pancreatitis, alcoholism and malnutrition. Osteomalacia on the other hand, is a complication of long standing obstructive liver disease. In these cases vitamin D treatment is indicated.