IBD Patients Face Substantially Higher Osteoporosis Risk: Regular bone Density Scans Crucial
New research underscores teh critical need for bone health monitoring in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as chronic inflammation and common treatments dramatically increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Patients battling chronic inflammatory bowel disease – encompassing conditions like crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – must extend their healthcare focus beyond the digestive system. A growing body of evidence reveals a significantly elevated risk of osteoporosis and subsequent fractures in this population.
“We need to remember that IBD impacts more than just the gut; it profoundly affects bone health,” explains Professor Dr. Peter Hasselblatt of Freiburg University Hospital. “Chronic inflammation, the frequent use of steroid medications, potential malnutrition, and reduced physical activity all contribute to this increased risk.”
Steroid Use: A Major Risk Factor
Professor Hasselblatt highlighted steroid therapy as the most important risk factor, with studies showing a 4.35 times higher odds ratio for osteoporosis progress. He expressed concern that some IBD patients continue to receive long-term steroid-
