Osteoporosis Assessment among Adults with Liver Cirrhosis

Rogoveanu Obeid^*
*Correspondence: Rogoveanu Obeid, Department of Pharmacoeconomics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania, Email:

Introduction

Liver cirrhosis is a chronic and progressive liver disease that results in significant morbidity and mortality. One of the associated complications of cirrhosis is osteoporosis, a condition that results in decreased bone mineral density and increased fracture risk. Osteoporosis in cirrhosis is a multifactorial process, with many factors contributing to its development, including hormonal imbalances, liver dysfunction, malnutrition, and chronic inflammation. Despite the high prevalence of osteoporosis among cirrhotic patients, it is still an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition. The assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) is an essential tool for identifying osteoporosis in cirrhosis, but it is often not performed. This can be attributed to several barriers that hinder the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in cirrhosis patients.

Description

One of the main barriers is the lack of awareness among healthcare providers about the association between cirrhosis and osteoporosis. Another barrier is the limited availability of testing in some regions, especially in lowresource settings. Moreover, the cost of testing can be a significant barrier for patients in some countries. Facilitators for osteoporosis assessment among cirrhotic patients include raising awareness among healthcare providers about the importance of assessing BMD in cirrhosis patients. The availability of affordable testing and guidelines for the management of osteoporosis in cirrhosis can also facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of this condition [1,2].

There are various methods to assess osteoporosis in adults with liver cirrhosis. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the gold standard for measuring bone density and is commonly used to diagnose osteoporosis. However, DXA has limitations in patients with liver cirrhosis due to the altered bone architecture and the presence of calcified plaques, which can affect the accuracy of the measurements. Other methods, such as quantitative ultrasound and peripheral quantitative computed tomography, have been proposed as alternative methods for assessing bone health in liver cirrhosis patients. Early detection and management of osteoporosis in adults with liver cirrhosis can prevent further complications such as fractures and improve quality of life. Strategies for preventing and managing osteoporosis in liver cirrhosis patients include maintaining a healthy diet, physical activity, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and medications such as bisphosphonates [3].

Assessment of osteoporosis among adults with liver cirrhosis is essential to identify those at risk of fracture and to develop effective preventive strategies. Several methods can be used to assess bone density, including dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative ultrasound, DXA is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of osteoporosis and is recommended for adults with liver cirrhosis who have additional risk factors, such as advanced age or a history of fractures. QUS is a non-invasive and cost-effective alternative to DXA and can be used to screen for osteoporosis in adults with liver cirrhosis [4,5].

Conclusion

In conclusion, osteoporosis is a common complication in adults with liver cirrhosis. Early assessment and management of bone health in these patients are crucial to prevent further complications. Alternative methods for assessing bone health in liver cirrhosis patients should be considered due to the limitations of the gold standard DXA. Future research should focus on developing effective strategies for preventing and managing osteoporosis in adults with liver cirrhosis.

References

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