Introduction:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal condition with a multifactorial etiology. A common complication associated with IBD is decreased bone mineral density (BMD). This study aims to describe BMD findings in adult patients with IBD treated at the Dr. José Gregorio Hernández Pediatric Medical Center between August and September 2022.

Patients and Methods:

A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 10 adult patients diagnosed with IBD. BMD was measured in the lumbar spine and femoral neck using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Results:

The average age of the patients was 47.5 years, with an equal distribution between sexes. Forty percent exhibited extra-intestinal manifestations. Regarding BMD, 40% had normal BMD, 20% had osteopenia, and 40% had osteoporosis. A significant decrease in BMD was observed in the femoral neck. Additionally, 60% of patients received corticosteroids as part of their treatment. These findings are consistent with previous studies reporting a high prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in patients with IBD.

Conclusions:

Patients with IBD have an increased risk of reduced BMD. Regular monitoring and appropriate calcium and vitamin D supplementation are recommended to prevent bone-related complications.