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Effect of nutrition and body composition on bone density after liver transplantation
1Department of Pediatrics University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
Unlabelled:
We investigated the relationship between nutrition, body composition, and bone mineral density (BMD) in young adults after liver transplantation.
Method:
A cross-sectional study involving bone densitometry, anthropometry, and detailed food and lifestyle questionnaires.
Results:
Of 37 patients recruited, 26 were male. The mean age was 38.8 (+/-12.3) years, and the posttransplant period was 7.5 (+/-5.1) years (range 1.3-16.4). A significant proportion of patients (23 [62%]) were overweight (BMI 25-29.9) or obese (BMI>or=30). A total of 20 (54%) patients were osteopenic, and four (11%) had osteoporosis (lumbar spine or total body BMD). Lean mass showed a statistically significant correlation with lumbar spine and total body BMD in men and women, the most significant being bone mineral content, r=0.66, P=.01. The correlation was stronger in females (r=0.81, P<.01) than in males (r=0.56, P<.01). The average daily intake of vitamin D, total protein, and phosphorus was greater than 100% of the American Dietary Reference recommendations, calcium was 90%, and magnesium 56%. There was no significant relationship between any nutritional parameter and BMD nor history of fractures, steroid use, or length of time from transplantation.
Conclusion:
Osteopenia determined by lumbar spine BMD underestimates poor BMD in our population of young adults after liver transplant. Maintaining muscle mass may be helpful in preserving BMD. The effect of a limited intake of magnesium needs further investigation.
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