OSTEOPOROSIS 

Minerva Medica 2004 December;95(6):489-506

Copyright © 2004 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Bad to the bone: the effects of liver diseases on bone

Marignani M., Angeletti S., Capurso G., Cassetta S., Delle Fave G.

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a relevant complication of long-standing liver disease. It has been described in association with most types of chronic liver disease both cholestatic and non-cholestatic. It can significantly affect morbidity, and quality of life of these patients. Fractures are also associated with an excess mortality. Recently, the issue of MBD in liver disease has been considered to be such an hot topic to be the subject of 2 recent review/guideline articles produced by the British Society of Gastroenterology and the American Gastroen-terological Association. Aim of this paper is to summarize some practical issues regarding this topic and to provide a rapid overview of the main pathophysiological and pharmacological aspects.