Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Bone mineral density is reduced in patients with Crohn's disease but not in patients with ulcerative colitis: a
Background:
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at risk of developing metabolic bone disease.
Aims:
To compare bone mineral density in patients with Crohn's disease with patients with ulcerative colitis and healthy subjects, and to evaluate possible risk factors for bone loss in inflammatory bowel disease.
Patients:
60 patients with Crohn's disease, 60 with ulcerative colitis, and 60 healthy subjects were investigated. Each group consisted of 24 men and 36 women.
Methods:
Lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total body bone mineral density were measured by dual x ray absorptiometry (DXA), and Z scores were obtained by comparison with age and sex matched normal values.
Results:
Mean Z scores were significantly lower in patients with Crohn's disease compared with patients with ulcerative colitis and healthy subjects. Patients with ulcerative colitis had bone mineral densities similar to healthy subjects. Use of corticosteroids, body mass index (BMI), and sex were significant predictor variables for bone mineral density in Crohn's disease. In ulcerative colitis only body mass index and sex were of significant importance. Disease localisation and small bowel resections had no influence on bone mineral density in patients with Crohn's disease.
Conclusions:
Patients with Crohn's disease have reduced bone mineral density. Several factors are probably involved, but the reduction is associated with corticosteroid therapy. When studying skeletal effects of inflammatory bowel disease, patients with Crohn's disease and those with ulcerative colitis should be evaluated separately.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations