People with inflammatory bowel disease* (IBD) have a high incidence of fractures (40% higher than the average population) and low bone mineral density (BMD). Low BMD can result in osteoporosis and osteopenia, and this risk is increased by steroid treatment for IBD. Testing of IBD patients reveals that low body mass index (BMI)** can identify people with IBD at risk for fractures.
The existing records of BMI tests were reviewed of 1,703 patients with IBD. A low BMI was found to be a strong risk factor for osteoporosis and osteopenia, and can help identify bone disease among IBD patients. Many people would have been undiagnosed if only conventional risk factors were considered, without BMIs.
Low BMI is a risk factor for low BMD in IBD and non-IBD patients. Low BMI is a good predictor of fracture risk over 10 years. Of the patients with IBD whose osteoporosis was missed, over 80% had low BMI, which could have aided in the diagnosis. Most electronic medical records calculate the BMI automatically since the number is so easy to calculate and useful.
CONCLUSION: A low BMI is helpful in diagnosing people with inflammatory bowel disease who, also, have osteoporosis or osteopenia. Low BMI was the strongest risk factor for bone disease and, therefore, risk of fracture.
NOTES: *Inflammatory bowel diseases are, primarily, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
**BMI-Basal metabolic index: It is the ratio of weight to height. There are numerous internet websites which can calculate the BMI if you know your height and weight.
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KEY WORDS: Body mass index (BMI), Osteoporosis, Osteoporotic inflammatory bowel disease, Risk.