Published online Aug 7, 2023. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i29.4580
Peer-review started: June 7, 2023
First decision: June 16, 2023
Revised: June 21, 2023
Accepted: July 19, 2023
Article in press: July 19, 2023
Published online: August 7, 2023
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic immune-mediated, progressive cholestatic liver disease. Osteoporosis is an extrahepatic complication of PBC that increases the risk of fractures and mortality.
Although the prevalence of osteoporosis in PBC is high in Europe and North America, relevant epidemiological studies of osteoporosis in patients with PBC in China and the Asia-Pacific region is lack.
To assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of osteoporosis in Chinese patients with PBC.
We performed a retrospective observational study to evaluation the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in Chinese patients with PBC from a tertiary care center who underwent bone mineral density (BMD) assessment using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry between January 2013 and December 2021. Demographic, serological, clinical, and histological data were collected. Independent risk factors for osteoporosis were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis.
The prevalence of osteoporosis in Chinese patients with PBC was 45.5%. Osteoporosis in PBC is strongly associated with older age, lower body mass index (BMI), previous steroid use, the severity of liver disease, and advanced histological stage.
Osteoporosis is very common in Chinese patients with PBC, allowing for prior screening of BMD in those PBC patients with older age, lower BMI, previous steroid therapy, and advanced liver disease.
This study provides reference information for future PBC-related guideline development and public policy formulation in China and the Asia-Pacific region.