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Bone disease in primary biliary cirrhosis: does ursodeoxycholic acid make a difference?
K D Lindor1, C H Janes, J S Crippin
1Division of Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905.
Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)
|February 1, 1995
Summary
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) did not significantly alter lumbar spine bone density in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients over three years. This study found no difference in bone loss rates between UDCA and placebo groups.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Bone Metabolism
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is associated with metabolic bone disease.
- The impact of Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on bone density in PBC patients remains unclear.
- Preliminary data suggest UDCA may affect bone disease biochemical markers, but bone density effects are unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on lumbar spine bone mineral density.
- To assess bone density changes over a 3-year period in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
- Serial lumbar spine dual-photon densitometry measurements over 3 years.
- 88 PBC patients (50 UDCA, 38 placebo) with available serial data.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in baseline characteristics between UDCA and placebo groups.
- After 3 years, no statistically significant difference in lumbar spine bone densitometry between UDCA and placebo groups.
- UDCA treatment did not alter the rate of bone loss from the lumbar spine compared to placebo.
Conclusions:
- Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment for 3 years does not significantly impact lumbar spine bone density in PBC patients.
- UDCA's beneficial effects on liver disease in PBC do not translate to improved bone density.
- Further research is needed to identify effective treatments for metabolic bone disease in PBC.