[Osteopenia in primary biliary cirrhosis. Study in 20 patients]

We studied 20 female patients, aged 51 +/- 13.6 years old, with the diagnosis of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) to assess osteopenia, main involved sites and its relation to menopause, some parameters of mineral metabolism and the degree of histological liver involvement. The diagnosis of PBC was based in histological, clinical and laboratory features. Bone densitometry was measured with a dual-photon densitometer and compared with values of a normal female population from the laboratory. When compared to controls, studied patients had a significantly lower lumbar spine bone density and total bone mineral content and a non significantly lower density in femoral neck and total body. Serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, PTH and urinary calcium/creatinine ratio were within normal limits. Lumbar spine density was not significantly lower in patients with more severe liver histological involvement and in postmenopausal women. No correlation was found between the duration of postmenopausal period and the degree of osteopenia. It is concluded that patients with PBC have a clear lumbar spine osteopenia and a lower total mineral content and that these parameters worsen in a non significant fashion in subjects along with liver histological involvement and with the length of post menopausal period.