Underweight May Be a Risk Factor for Lower Bone Density in Chronic Hepatitis C Infected Male Patients

摘要

Background/Aim of the study: Osteoporosis and osteopenia are well known complications in patients with chronic liver disease, we aimed to investigate Egyptian male patients with chronic hepatitis C infection as regard the bone mineral density and risk factors for osteoporosis in this subpopulation and correlating it to BMI (body mass index). Patients and methods: One Hundred ninety-three Egyptian male patients with hepatitis C virus CLD has been enrolled and consented: 116 under weight and 77 normal weight, Chronic HCV infection was confirmed by positive anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA PCR. Cirrhosis was diagnosed based on sonographic and laboratory criteria. Noninvasive methods were used: the FibroScan test was used for assessment of liver fibrosis. Blood was drawn for routine tests included total serum calcium, phosphate, creatinine and total alkaline phosphatase using standard methods. 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) were done. Bone mineral density: BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck: using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)Scan were analyzed by the same technician. Results were correlated to Body mass index and Serum vitamin D level. Results: Demographic Data and Clinical Characteristics of Under and Normal Weight Chronic Hepatitis C Men were recorded, the results showed statistically significant correlations between under and normal weight HCV patients regarding BMI and BMD (in right hip and femoral neck, p values were 0.002 and 0.004, respectively). Subnormal 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels were present in 64% of the underweight patients and 51% of the normal weight patients with no significant differences between both groups. Conclusion: the body weight and BMI might be more detrimental for low BMD in male patients with CLD secondary to HCV infection rather than vitamin D status.