[Bone loss and oral health status in patients on home parenteral nutrition]

The mandible and forearm bone mineral content and dental and periodental state were studied in 15 patients, aged 26 to 65 years, on home parenteral nutrition due to short bowel syndrome and compared to the findings in a normal population. The bone mineral content was measured by dual-photon absorptiometry. All patients were on free oral intake as a supplement to the parenteral nutrition. Forty-seven percent of the patients showed mandibular osteoporosis. Thirty-three percent had osteoporosis in the forearm and also radiographic signs of osteoporotic fractures of the columna. The dental and periodental state did not differ from that of the normal Danish population of the same age. Thus, patients on home parenteral nutrition due to short bowel syndrome seem to have a high risk of developing systemic osteoporosis, including the jaws, but apparently do not have a higher risk for deterioration of the dental or periodental state.