Risk factors associated with hepatic osteopathy in HBV related cirrhosis measured by liver stiffness: An...

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Endocrinology
• Radiology

Background:

• Liver cirrhosis is associated with various metabolic complications.
• Osteoporosis is a recognized comorbidity in patients with chronic liver disease.
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) related liver cirrhosis is a prevalent form of liver disease globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare bone mineral density (BMD) between liver cirrhosis patients and healthy controls.
• To identify risk factors for hepatic osteoporosis in HBV-related liver cirrhosis.

Main Methods:

• Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck.
• A cohort of 189 liver cirrhosis patients and 207 healthy controls were analyzed.
• Multivariate correlation analysis identified independent risk factors for osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Main Results:

• Liver cirrhosis patients exhibited significantly lower BMD in both lumbar spine and femoral neck compared to controls.
• Decreased bone density correlated with increasing age and decreasing body mass index (BMI) in both groups.
• Independent risk factors for osteopenia included female sex, older age, low BMI, and high liver stiffness; for osteoporosis, low body weight and high liver stiffness were identified.

Conclusions:

• Patients with liver cirrhosis demonstrate significantly reduced bone mineral density, particularly the elderly and those with low BMI.
• Female sex, advanced age, low BMI, and elevated liver stiffness are significant risk factors for osteopenia and osteoporosis in HBV-related liver cirrhosis.
• Regular bone density screening and timely intervention are recommended for HBV-related cirrhosis patients with identified risk factors.