GASTROENTEROLOGY ARTICLE OF THE WEEK
April 12, 2007
Leslie WD. A patient with autoimmune liver disease on steroids: Screening and treatment of bone disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2006;4:1440-1444
1. Typical areas of fractures in patients with osteoporosis include
a. cervical spine
b. distal radius (Colles’ Fracture)
c. distal femur
d. thoracolumbar vertebral bodies
e. intertrochanteric fracture
True or False
2. In individuals younger than age 50 undergoing bone density exams, the Z score should be used to interpret the results.
3. Bone loss secondary to corticosteroid use is most pronounced after the first 6 months of therapy
4. 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are not accurate when measured in patients with cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease
5. The use of pharmacologic therapy for the treatment or prevention of osteoporosis in patients with chronic liver disease is supported by randomized trials
6. Corticosteroid dose of <5mg/day is safe and not associated with increased risk of fractures
7. Tacrolimus and cyclosporine, but not imuran, can accelerate bone loss