Prevalence and predictors of low bone mineral density in males with ulcerative colitis.

CONTEXT

Low bone mineral density (BMD) is common in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and the predictors of low BMD (osteoporosis or osteopenia) and fragility fractures among men with ulcerative colitis.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective database analysis.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a nationwide Veterans Affairs health care system.

PATIENTS

Male ulcerative colitis patients who were followed up in the Veterans Affairs system between 2001 and 2011 were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision (ICD-9).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We identified patients with low BMD and fragility fractures using ICD-9 codes. Steroid exposure was assessed using pharmacy data. A multivariate analysis was used to identify the independent effect of systemic steroids on the risk of low BMD and fragility fractures.

RESULTS

We identified 34 665 patients. Among them, 31% used steroids. The prevalence of low BMD was 15.8% and 7.1% among those who used and did not use steroids, respectively (P < .001). Prevalence of fragility fractures was 7.9%, 4.4%, and 1.1% for those with osteoporosis and osteopenia and those without low BMD, respectively (P < .001). Steroid exposure showed a dose-response pattern, patients who had cumulative prednisone exposure of greater than 11 136 mg (10th decile) were more likely to develop low BMD (odds ratio 8.9, P < .001) and fragility fractures (odds ratio 1.8, P < .001) as compared with non-steroid users after controlling for other possible predictors.

CONCLUSION

In this nationwide cohort, the prevalence of low BMD was higher than what was reported for the general male population. There was a strong correlation between the cumulative steroid use and the risk of low BMD. Both steroids and low BMD were independent risk factors for fragility fractures.