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Background: The British Society of Gastroenterology has published guidelines for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in patients with coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Gut2000;46(supp 1):i1-i8). This has important implications for the planning of clinical services, especially with the limited availability of DEXA scanning. We have undertaken a assessment of the need for DEXA scans in our gastroenterology out-patient population.
Methods: In a district general hospital, population 460,000, we identified all patients with coeliac disease and IBD attending all gastroenterology out-patient clinics (3.5 consultant gastroenterologists, total 6 clinics per week) over a one month period. We assessed the number of these patients who required DEXA scanning and further investigation according to the BSG guidelines.
Results: Over a four week period 124 of a total 204 patients with either coeliac disease or IBD were found to require a DEXA scan according to the guidelines. The mean age of those requiring a scan was greater than those who did not (54.1 (18.6)y vs 38.6 (12.3)y (age (sd)). All 21 patients with coeliac disease required a scan. Of those with Crohn's disease 43/72 required a scan as did 60/111 patients with ulcerative colitis. Reasons for scans in patients with IBD are given in the table. DEXA scans had already been requested in 12 patients and 5 patients were on treatment (table 1).
Abstract 224, Table 1
Conclusions: Currently we are achieving BSG guidelines in less than 10% of our patient population. Introducing guidelines will mean that almost 2/3 of patients with Crohn's disease and more than half our ulcerative colitis patients will require a DEXA scan. Subsequently scanning will be required for patients with a new diagnosis of IBD, those requiring long courses of steroids and those reaching the age thresholds, as well as those on bone protection treatment. Patients with coeliac disease who require a scan at diagnosis place less pressure on resources.
225. PREVALENCE OF FRAGILITY FRACTURE IN COELIAC DISEASE AND INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
Background: Osteoporosis is a common complication of both inflammatory bowel disease and coeliac disease, but there is little information on the prevalence of fragility fracture in these patients.
Methods: Ambulant patients with coeliac disease (102), Crohn's disease (88) and ulcerative colitis (130) completed a questionnaire detailing their fracture history. Fractures involving major trauma e.g. Road Traffic Accidents, falls from greater than three feet and sports injuries were excluded from analysis.
Results: 42% of patients with coeliac disease had experienced a previous fracture. Commonest fractures involved the distal radius (32%) and ankle (16%). Prevalence was higher in females than males (46% vs 33%). Females were younger than males (52.3yrs vs. 59.1yrs) and were diagnosed at an earlier age (45.9yrs vs 52.3 yrs). In neither sex was age at diagnosis related to history of fracture. 99 patients were diagnosed after the age of 25, when peak bone mass is achieved. 130 patients with ulcerative colitis (47 male, 83 female, mean age 45.7yrs) and 88 patients with Crohn's disease (31 male, 57 female, mean age 38.7yrs) completed the questionnaire. 29% of patients with ulcerative colitis and 30% of patients with Crohn's disease had suffered a fracture. Patients incurring fractures after diagnosis of ulcerative colitis had earlier onset of disease (mean 28.6yrs vs 37.9yrs) and longer duration (14.0yrs vs 7.7yrs) than patients without fractures. Fracture risk was unrelated to disease extent, use of systemic corticosteroids, smoking and family history of fragility fracture.
Conclusions: Fractures are very common in patients with coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Efforts to prevent, detect and treat low bone mineral density may reduce this prevalence.