Zeitschrift für Ernährungsstörungen und Therapie

Abstrakt

High Frequency of Osteopenia and Osteoporosis in Alcoholic Chronic Pancreatitis Patients: Preliminary Results

Sobral MB, Pereira RM, Faintuch J, Marzinotto MAN, Teixeira AC, Carrilho FJ and Oliveira CP

Background: Bone mineral loss is a public health problem in the aged. However information about non elderly males with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis is scarce. Aiming to examine the correlates of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in this population, a prospective study was conducted.
Methods: Clinically stable, abstinent patients (N=25) were stratified according to BMD is osteopenia,
osteoporosis and Normal groups. Methods included clinical history, dietary recall, biochemical and hormonal profile, and body composition estimated by whole body and segmental bioimpedance analysis, along with bone mineral density (DXA).
Results: Patients had a history of alcohol abuse of around 2-3 decades. Despite remaining alcohol-free for a mean of 6-12 years depending on the group, more than one third were already diabetic. Nutritional status was acceptable and biochemical tests essentially normal. Main differences in osteoporosis concerned higher age (p=0.038), lower lipid intake (p=0.031). In the other side, body weight, lean body mass and fat mass numerically diminished, however without statistical difference.
Conclusions: Abnormal bone mineral density affected more than 80% of this male population, despite stable disease, alcohol abstinence and lack of protein-calorie malnutrition. Older age was relevant, and reduced body mass might play a role as well. Findings are consistent with a substantial risk for osteopenia/ osteoporosis, much higher than previously reported. Additional studies are required to establish dietary, pharmacological and lifestyle guidelines for this population.