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The associations between vitamin D, bone mineral density and the course of inflammatory bowel disease in Polish patients.

INTRODUCTION
There are various factors which contribute to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including steroid therapy, malnutrition and vitamin D deficiency.


OBJECTIVES
The study aimed to assess the vitamin D level among IBD patients and investigate the relationship between vitamin D concentration and bone mineral density (BMD).


PATIENTS AND METHODS
The study participants included 239 adult patients with IBD and the control group (45 healthy adults). Densitometric measurements of the lumbar spine (L1-L4) and femoral neck (FN) were conducted using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. All groups completed the questionnaire referring to vitamin D supplementation. Subsequently, a statistical analysis was performed.


RESULTS
Significant differences were observed with regard to the body mass, body mass index, BMD, the Z-score, and the T-score of the FN and L1-L4. Only approximately ¼ of all subjects presented optimal, or high concentrations of vitamin D. The conducted research revealed no differences in vitamin D levels with regard to the disease extent and severity among the patients with ulcerative colitis patients. No differences were observed in terms of the disease localization, behaviour, and the patient's age at the time of the diagnosis in the cases of patients suffering from Crohn's disease. Furthermore, no differences were also found in BMD, T-score and Z-score of the FN and L1-L4 between the group of patients who supplemented and did not supplement vitamin D.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin D may not be the only factor affecting BMD. IBD patients should supplement a higher dose of vitamin D than healthy adults.