Metabolic Bone Disease in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2016 Jun;45(2):333-43. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2016.02.009.

Abstract

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a liver-specific autoimmune disease that primarily affects women (female-to-male ratio, 10:1) between 40 and 60 years of age. Metabolic bone disease is a common complication of PBC, affecting 14% to 52% of patients, depending on the duration and severity of liver disease. The osteoporosis seen in PBC seems mainly due to low bone formation, although increased bone resorption may contribute. Treatment of osteoporosis consists primarily of antiresorptive agents. Additional large prospective, long-term studies in patients with PBC are needed to determine efficacy in improving bone density as well as reducing fracture risk.

Keywords: Antiresorptive agents; Metabolic bone disease; Osteoporosis; Primary biliary cirrhosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / drug therapy
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / etiology
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / metabolism
  • Bone Resorption*
  • Calcium, Dietary / therapeutic use
  • Diphosphonates / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / complications*
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / metabolism
  • Osteogenesis*
  • Osteomalacia / drug therapy
  • Osteomalacia / etiology*
  • Osteomalacia / metabolism
  • Osteoporosis / drug therapy
  • Osteoporosis / etiology*
  • Osteoporosis / metabolism
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Calcium, Dietary
  • Diphosphonates
  • Vitamin D