[A study of osteopenia in liver cirrhosis by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)]

We studied osteopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Total body bone mineral density showed a positive correlation with the lumbar spine bone mineral density, and % age matched total body bone mineral density under 90% was defined as osteopenia. The incidence of osteopenia in 54 patients with liver cirrhosis was 20.4%. Since this osteopenia had no relationship to the general risk factors for osteoporosis, it was suggested that it is a complication specific to liver cirrhosis. Because the level of serum total bilirubin and the activity of serum total alkaline phosphatase in the group with osteopenia were usually higher than those in the group without osteopenia, it was suggested that osteopenia in liver cirrhosis might be related to hepatic dysfunction.