The frequency of metabolic bone disease (MBD) in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is not well documented. We have completed a cross-sectional survey to estimate the prevalence of MBD in our IBD patient population.

Ninety-six consecutive IBD patients attending the GI outpatient clinics of the QE II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax underwent bone densitometry after giving written consent. Information including medication use, previous therapy, and osteoporosis risk factors were recorded at assessment. One physician (DJL) performed a prospective global assessment of disease severity on a 10 point scale. Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired t-tests, c² test or Spearman correlation where appropriate. Statistical significance was considered p£0.05.

Results: Sixty-seven subjects with Crohn’s disease (CD) (26 male/ 41 female) and 29 subjects with Ulcerative colitis (UC) (6 male/ 21 female) were enrolled. There were no significant differences between the patient groups. Thirty-six (54%) CD subjects and 13 (45%) UC subjects were diagnosed with MBD based upon one or both total hip or lumbar spine (L2-4) T scores £–1.0. There were no differences between IBD subjects with or without MBD except body mass index (BMI). The BMI was lower in subjects with MBD (p=0.003). Duration of steroid use was not predictive for MBD risk. There was no correlation between a physician global assessment of disease severity and the presence of MBD r=0.024.

Conclusion: Metabolic bone disease is common in IBD subjects. The risk of MBD cannot be determined by clinical assessment alone. IBD subjects should have bone densitometry as a part of their routine care.

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