[Effect of various forms of therapy of peptic ulcer on calcium metabolism]

Several studies have shown that 5-15 per cent of postgastrectomy patients develop osteomalacia, while 10-50% show reduced bone mineral density values with increased risk of fractures. The changes develop slowly over a period of 10-20 years. The high prevalence of metabolic bone disease in this group of patients demands regular controls over an extended period of time and in many cases substitution with calcium and vitamin D. In patients with a very high consumption of aluminium based antacids an increased risk of aluminium intoxication with pronounced osteomalacia has been demonstrated. In theory vagotomy and chronic treatment with H2-antagonists could lead to metabolic bone disease. The data available at the present show, however, that the risk is very low.