Guidelines for Osteoporosis in Coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease
Guidelines for osteoporosis in coeliac disease andinflammatory bowel disease
E M Scott, I Gaywood, B B Scott for the British Society of Gastroenterology
1.0 The problem
Osteoporotic fractures are a major public
which these guidelinesare based was origi-
health problem. It has been estimated that in
There are several methods available for meas-
the USA the remaining lifetime fracture risk at
uring BMD.11 Dual energy x ray absorptio-
the age of 50 years is 40% for white women and
metry (DEXA) is currently most favoured, but
1998;10:689–98.
13% for white men,1 the major fracture sites
is relatively costly and is not widely available;
being spine, forearm and hip. This results in
roughly 100 instruments have been installed in
the UK. Broadband ultrasound attenuation of
rising costs, including acute hospital care and
long term care in the home or nursing home.
discriminates patients with and without osteo-
The estimated total annual cost of osteoporotic
porosis almost as well as actual measurements
fractures in England and Wales is £742 million
of bone density12 and is predictive of hip
($464 million).2 These costs are likely to
fracture.6 It may also reflect bone architecture
which contributes to overall bone strength,13 isrelatively cheap and the machine is portable. However, its usefulness in monitoring responseto treatment has not been validated. 2.0 Screening 2.1 BONE MINERAL DENSITY
There are many risk factors for osteoporosis
measurement of bone mineral density (BMD),
including endocrine, metabolic and nutritional
which can be expressed as the number of SDs
disorders, and drugs. The value of screening
groups in which the incidence of fracture is
young adults (T score) or the mean BMD for
increased is likely to be greater, and targeting
age matched controls (Z score). A BMD more
such patients should at least be considered
than 2.5 SD below the mean for a young adult
even in the absence of cost-benefit studies.
is generally taken to indicate osteoporosis.3
Stratification for fracture risk is possible using
increased risk are already under medical super-
BMD. The risk increases roughly twofold for
each SD decline in BMD below the population
treatment is likely to be high. Doctors respon-
mean.4 5 This compares with a 1.5-fold in-
sible for the management of such patients
crease in the risk of death from coronary artery
should seriously consider their role in detecting
disease with each SD increase in cholesterol
concentrations or diastolic pressure.
2.5 ROLE OF GASTROENTEROLOGISTSGastroenterologists care for a large proportion
of patients at increased risk of osteoporosis.
It is important to recognise that osteoporosis is
The two main groups are those with coeliac
but one of a number of factors predisposing to
disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),
fracture, just as a raised cholesterol and diasto-
especially those on steroids. Alcoholism and
lic pressure are each just one of many factors
chronic liver disease are also important but are
Department of
Awareness of surroundings, mobility, and eye-
Endocrinology, St
sight collectively contribute to a tendency to
3.0 Coeliac disease James’s University
fall and all are likely to be important.6 Further-
Hospital,
more, bone strength is largely related to
Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
trabecular structure, certainly in the proximal
The evidence for reduced BMD in coeliac dis-
femur, whereas BMD is a composite measure-
ease is good.14–22 One study19 showed that 47%
Department of
ment of both cortical and trabecular bone.7
Gastroenterology,
Although the population can be stratified for
diet had osteoporosis defined as BMD more
County Hospital,
fracture risk using BMD measurements, its
Greetwell Road,
poor sensitivity for predicting actual fracture
Lincoln LN2 5QY, UK
makes it unsuitable for screening the whole
related to calcium intake, body mass index
Department of
women—the diYculties and costs are great and
Rheumatology, County
it would have only a small contribution to frac-
Abbreviations used in these guidelines: BMD, Hospital
bone mineral density; IBD, inflammatory boweldisease; DEXA, dual energy x ray absorptiometry;
whole.3 8–10 The alternative is to target certain
BMI, body mass index; CT, computed tomography;
high risk groups for screening or treatment, or
HRT, hormone replacement therapy; IL, interleukin;
APD, (3-amino-1-hydroxypropylidene)-1,1-bisphosphonate.
(BMI) and menopausal age. Other studies have
lumbar spine using CT scanning repeated at
shown significant improvement one year after
one year in 54 patients with IBD and found a
starting a gluten-free diet,23 normal BMD in
rapid rate of trabecular bone loss in 20%. No
patients who had been on a gluten-free diet
significant correlation with steroid use was
since childhood,15 and improved bone miner-
found. There was a negative correlation with
alisation on a gluten-free diet in childhood and
BMI. Clements and colleagues31 studied 50
adolescence.24 The incidence of fractures in
patients with IBD at intervals over a mean of
coeliac disease is not known but there is no
eight years using single photon absorptiometry
reason to suppose that the reduction in BMD is
and found increased rates of cortical bone loss
less predictive of fracture risk than in the gen-
in some. Silvennoinen and colleagues,32 using
eral population. The abstract of one study25
DEXA of the lumbar spine and femoral neck,
reported a significantly higher proportion of
studied 67 patients with ulcerative colitis, 78
patients with a history of fracture than controls
with Crohn’s disease, and seven with indeter-
(21 v 3%). The mean age was 52 years and
minate IBD. Of these, 30% had a Z score of −1
there was no relation between fracture and
or below compared with 16% of controls. The
BMD correlated negatively (slightly) with life-time steroid use. There was no significant
received steroids. A study published in abstract
form33 of forearm CT scanning in 61 patients
coeliac disease is likely to be related to calcium
with Crohn’s disease, 22 with ulcerative colitis
malabsorption leading to increased parathor-
and seven with indeterminate IBD showed that
mone secretion which, in turn, increases bone
19% had trabecular density more than 2 SD
turnover and cortical bone loss.26 Vitamin D
below the control mean. In another abstract34
malabsorption is probably of less importance.
of a study of 38 patients with ulcerative colitis,
osteomalacia may co-exist, especially before
BMD between patients and controls, but on
treatment, and will require treatment with vita-
repeat testing at one year there was a significant
min D. Furthermore, osteomalacia may aVect
fall in BMD in the group of six men who had
the result of DEXA. In some men there may be
loss of gonadal function27 which may, as in
women, contribute to osteoporosis.28 Unfortu-
patients with Crohn’s disease but not in 60
nately, serum testosterone concentrations are
with ulcerative colitis, whereas a DEXA study
unlikely to be helpful in planning testosterone
from England,36 which found osteoporosis in
replacement therapy because the concentra-
27% of 79 patients with IBD (44 with Crohn’s
disease and 35 with ulcerative colitis) stated
treatment, owing to androgen resistance.27
that there was no significant diVerence between
There seems to be impairment of peripheral
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. 4.0 Inflammatory bowel disease
Only one36 of these studies used the generally
accepted criterion for osteoporosis (i.e., BMD
>2.5 SD below mean for young adults).
The results of studies of osteoporosis in
Nevertheless, taken together they suggest that
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are less
osteoporosis is common in Crohn’s disease and
consistent than in coeliac disease which is not
less so in ulcerative colitis, and that there is a
surprising given the great variation in site,
positive correlation between BMD and BMI,
extent and severity of disease between patients,
and a negative correlation with steroid use.
variation of all these with time, and associated
Furthermore, BMD may be reduced relatively
drug treatment, especially steroids.
Compston and colleagues29 studied the fore-
In men testosterone deficiency may contrib-
arm with single photon absorptiometry and the
ute to osteoporosis. Testicular function may be
impaired in Crohn’s disease37 as well as in those
tomography (CT) scanning in 17 patients with
on steroids38 39 and although it is not known
ulcerative colitis, 51 with Crohn’s disease (46
whether this is related to testosterone defi-
ciency, depressed blood testosterone concen-
resections) and four with indeterminate IBD.
trations were found in three of 19 patients with
They found osteoporosis (defined as a BMD
more than 2 SD below the age matched controlmean) in 14% of patients with ulcerative colitis
5.0 Steroid use
and 41% of those with Crohn’s disease. All
except eight in each group had taken steroids.
Steroids have a number of adverse eVects on
The BMD correlated negatively with lifetime
bone. They suppress circulating oestrogen,
steroid use and positively with BMI. A higher
thus reducing its role in inhibiting the cytokine
percentage of men than women had osteoporo-
interleukin (IL) 6, which is a stimulator of
sis, which might reflect the use of hormone
osteoclastic activity.40 In men steroids reduce
replacement therapy (HRT) in women whereas
blood testosterone concentrations38 39 resulting
the men were unlikely to have been oVered tes-
in a similar eVect on bone.39 Steroids also
tosterone. Motley and colleagues30 studied the
inhibit osteoblast maturation, synthetic ability,
Guidelines for Osteoporosis in Coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel diseaseBox 1—Summary strategy for prevention and treatment of
blacks and whites are equally susceptible. osteoporosis in coeliac disease 6.0 Strategies for preventing and treating
+ Strict gluten-free diet ** osteoporosis
+ Adequate dietary calcium; add calcium tablets if necessary to
ensure daily intake of 1500 mg ***
+ Exercise ***
advice given about exercise (particularly weight
+ No smoking **
bearing), smoking, alcohol excess, and ad-
+ No alcohol excess **
equate dietary calcium. A total daily calcium
intake of 1500 mg should be ensured—a pint of
+ Measure BMD at diagnosis; if low reinforce above advice
skimmed milk provides 700 mg. If dietary cal-cium is inadequate 500–1000 mg supplemental
calcium should be given (e.g., one or two Cal-
+ Measure BMD at menopause or when first seen
cichew (Shire, UK) tablets daily). In coeliac
disease the importance of adhering strictly to a
+ HRT, preferably by skin patch, or ***
gluten-free diet should be stressed. Vitamin D
+ Bisphosphonate orally, or ***
deficiency should be sought and treated if
+ Calcitonin ***
found. Clinicians usually rely on serum cal-
measurements. Osteomalacia may still exist
+ If osteoporotic† oVer bisphosphonate or calcitonin **
even if these tests are normal. When these tests
are normal and osteomalacia is still suspected
+ If osteoporotic† oVer HRT (if post menopausal), bisphosphonate
measured. However, this is expensive and the
cheaper parathormone assay should be consid-
+ If already on HRT consider adding bisphosphonate or calcitonin *
ered. A low normal calcium and an elevated
parathormone indicates secondary hyperpara-
+ For bisphosphonate and calcitonin measure BMD yearly
thyroidism and treatment with calcium (800
+ If BMD falls >4% per year in two successive years change to other
mg daily) together with vitamin D (400–800
units daily) should be given. See boxes 1 and 2
+ If no fall continue drug for at least three years — possibly long
for summary strategies for the prevention of
and treatment of osteoporosis in coeliac disease
+ Restart drug if, on stopping, yearly BMD falls >4%
+ For HRT check BMD after 10 years and continue HRT if
osteoporosis persists *
6.2 TIMING OF DENSITOMETRYThe timing of densitometry presents a prob-
†Osteoporosis defined as BMD >2.5 SD below mean for young adult. ***, ** and
lem. In women, postmenopausal densitometry
* indicate the level of evidence for the recommendation (see text).
will be more sensitive at detecting osteoporosisbut the delay will give less scope for achieving ahigher bone density with treatment, despite
and calcium absorption and increase urinary
evidence that bisphosphonates may produce
loss, thus causing secondary hyperparathy-
some reversal of osteoporosis.44 45 Conversely,
roidism which increases bone remodelling.
screening at presentation may reveal osteo-
However, in Crohn’s disease the relation
porosis at a young age when intervention would
between steroids and reduced BMD could also
theoretically have greater potential but for
be partly explained by the associated increased
which specific treatments such as bisphospho-
activity of the disease necessitating the steroids.
nates and calcitonin have not been shown to be
Preliminary data41 suggest that circulating IL-6
either eVective at preventing fractures (except
is both increased in active disease and associ-
patients have densitometry at diagnosis. This
would allow reinforcement of general advice if
BMD is low. However, we can appreciate that
steroid use42 reports that although the associ-
the burden on both the clinician and the densi-
ation is real, the true incidence of osteoporosis
tometry service might be counter-productive
in steroid treated patients is unknown. Esti-
and deter any screening. A simpler strategy,
mates of the fraction of patients on long term
steroids who will experience fractures vary
patients and restricting BMD measurement to
from one half42 to one quarter.43 Nevertheless,
the older patients who are more likely to
certain conclusions seem valid. Significant
benefit, could therefore be more eVective in
bone loss is caused by doses of prednisolone of
IBD. In any case, patients with IBD at presen-
7.5 mg daily or greater in most patients. Bone
tation are unlikely to have osteoporosis as a
result of their disease. There is more reason for
treatment. The usual risk factors for osteoporo-
measuring BMD at diagnosis in patients with
sis (age, race, sex, menopausal state, and
coeliac disease because they will already have
parity) do not apply to the same extent to ster-
oid induced bone loss. In fact, one study
women, if the diagnosis is made earlier the
suggested that young people on steroids lose
BMD should be measured at the menopause. It
bone more rapidly than older patients, and
is debateable whether a single measurement at
sively with age, this might lead to treatment of
Box 2—Summary strategy for prevention and treatment of
most very elderly patients. To ration the treat-
osteoporosis in inflammatory bowel disease
the Z score below −1. For those on steroids a T
+ Adequate dietary calcium; add calcium tablets if necessary to
score below −1.5 has been recommended as a
ensure daily intake of 1500 mg ***
+ Exercise ***
+ No smoking **
+ No alcohol excess **
If osteoporosis is found (i.e., the BMD is more
than 2.5 SD below the mean for a young adult)
in postmenopausal women, they can be offeredtreatment with hormone replacement therapy
+ Measure BMD at menopause or when first seen
(HRT), a bisphosphonate, or calcitonin. There
are no studies of comparability but all these are
+ HRT, preferably by skin patch, or ***
+ Bisphosphonate orally, or ***
Vective at reducing fracture risk in postmeno-
pausal osteoporosis. The pros and cons will
+ Calcitonin ***
need to be discussed so patients can make an
informed choice. None of these treatments has
+ Measure BMD in all patients with Crohn’s disease and in those
been shown to reduce the fracture rate in
with ulcerative colitis who have received systemic steroids
patients with coeliac disease or IBD, but there
+ If osteoporotic†, measure serum testosterone and if low, give
is no reason to suspect that such patients would
replacement *
benefit less than patients with osteoporosis
+ If testosterone normal or if BMD does not improve on testosterone
oVer bisphosphonate or calcitonin **
+ Give lowest dose for as short as possible
Hormone replacement therapy has been shown
+ Concurrently give 800 units vitamin D daily—for example two
to reduce fracture risk in postmenopausal
“calcium and vitamin D” or two Calcichew D3 Forte tablets daily
women in general46 and those with osteoporotic
fracture in particular,47 and to prevent bone
+ Measure BMD and repeat each year in which steroid treatment
loss in patients with IBD.48 It is necessary to
treat roughly only eight (95% confidence inter-
+ If T score < −1.5* oVer bisphosphonate (in addition to vitamin D)
val (CI) 3 to 17) postmenopausal women with
osteoporotic fractures for one year to prevent
one having a further vertebral fracture during
that year.47 During HRT the rate of meno-
+ If osteoporotic† oVer HRT (if postmenopausal), bisphosphonate
pausal loss of bone density falls and there may
or calcitonin **
even be a small increase in bone density. With-
+ If already on HRT consider adding bisphosphonate or calcitonin *
drawal of HRT leads to a rise in the rate ofbone loss, but only to the same rate as normal
postmenopausal bone loss.49 This randomised
+ For bisphosphonate and calcitonin measure BMD yearly
controlled trial suggests that HRT buys time
+ If BMD falls >4% per year in two successive years change to
for the skeleton, the benefit being proportional
to the duration of treatment. However, in a case
+ If no fall continue drug for at least three years — possibly long
controlled study50 no substantial reduction in
fracture risk was shown after HRT had been
+ Restart drug if, on stopping, yearly BMD falls >4%
discontinued—even after more than 10 years’
+ For HRT check BMD after 10 years and continue HRT if
treatment. Maximal benefit will clearly be
osteoporosis† persists *
achieved by life-long HRT beginning at themenopause,50 but this will not be acceptable to
†Osteoporosis defined as BMD >2.5 SD below mean for young adult. ***, ** and* indicate the level of evidence for the recommendation (see text).
many women for a variety of reasons includingthe return of menstruation and the fear ofbreast cancer. Tibolone, which may be as
the menopause is adequate because there is
eVective as standard HRT, can be used to avoid
considerable variation in the rate and duration
menstruation. The risk of breast cancer may be
of rapid perimenopausal bone loss. For this
reason it would be sensible to repeat the BMD
treatment51 or even after only five years.52
after perhaps two years in those whose BMD
Although the overall benefit of HRT, especially
does not suggest osteoporosis. Similarly, in
with regard to cardiovascular disease, may out-
men the BMD should be measured at about 55
weigh the risks, the survival benefit diminishes
years of age if they presented at an earlier age.
with longer duration of use, particularly for
BMD should be done at any age if there has
women at low risk of coronary disease,53 and
been a fragility fracture, namely one which is
there are few data on the eVects of such long
atraumatic or follows a simple fall.
term use which could amount to 30 years. Forthis reason the usual initial aim is 10 years’
this time, or sooner if the patient wishes to stop
prematurely, would help in deciding whether or
treatment threshold. Osteoporosis as defined as
not to continue. It is unlikely that the usual
a T score below −2.5 would seem the obvious
short term use of HRT at the menopause will
threshold. However, as BMD falls progres-
Guidelines for Osteoporosis in Coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease
osteoporotic fracture. If there is doubt about
continuing malabsorption, a skin patch prepa-
No patient on HRT was included in the stud-
ies of these drugs and so it is not knownwhether combined treatment is beneficial.
Until such studies have been done, it would
Bisphosphonates are synthetic analogues of
seem reasonable to add one of these drugs to
inorganic pyrophosphate that inhibit bone
HRT or vice versa if an osteoporotic fracture
alendronate,44 45 both given with 500 mgcalcium daily, can reduce postmenopausal
fractures, although the benefits should not be
exaggerated. One study45 suggests it is neces-
sary to treat about 14 (95% CI 10 to 16) and
osteoporosis to women in coeliac disease and
another44 about 33 (95% CI 17 to 1000) post-
IBD. Furthermore, there are no conceptual
menopausal osteoporotic women with alendro-
measurements in devising a strategy for men as
vertebral fracture44 45 and 83 (95% CI 43 to
for women.60 There are no studies of the eVect
of bisphosphonates or calcitonin on either
fracture.45 These drugs are well tolerated
BMD or fracture prevention in men. However,
although nausea, diarrhoea and constipation
have been reported. They are poorly absorbed
treatments would not be as eVective in older
men (e.g., over 55 years old) as in postmeno-
some time before the next meal, and antacids
pausal women,60 and so, until those studies
should be avoided. Malabsorption may impair
have been done it would seen reasonable to
their eYcacy. Alendronate may cause oesopha-
consider a bisphosphonate or calcitonin in men
gitis and oesophageal ulceration and has to be
taken with 200 ml water immediately after get-
especially in those with a fragility fracture. In
ting up in the morning and without lying down
fact, given the seriousness of fragility fractures
drug treatment should be considered at ayounger age in both men and women, acknowl-edging that its eVectiveness is unproved. BMD
should be measured in all men with Crohn’s
Calcitonin is a naturally occurring hormone
disease and those men with ulcerative colitis
which also inhibits bone resorption.56 It is usu-
who have received steroids at age 55 years (or
ally given with 500 mg calcium daily. One
later if they present when older) and, if there is
study57 of calcitonin given by nasal spray
osteoporosis, serum testosterone should be
suggested that treating seven (95% CI 4 to 38)
measured and testosterone given if low.
women with postmenopausal osteoporosis fortwo years prevents one having a new fracture.
Confirmation of this impressive result is
awaited. It is safe and devoid of any serious or
All patients requiring systemic steroids should
long term side eVects and may also reduce
have the lowest dose for as short a time as pos-
osteoporotic bone pain. Unfortunately, the
sible. There seems to be no advantage in terms
nasal spray is not yet generally available and
of preservation of BMD from alternate day
treatment must be given by intramuscular or
regimens. Oral controlled release budesonide
subcutaneous injection, thus making it unat-
should be considered instead of prednisolone
tractive. Furthermore, calcitonin is much more
patients.61 There have been no studies looking
eight times more expensive than alendronate
at BMD on budesonide but theoretically it is
and sixteen times more expensive than etidro-
less likely to cause osteoporosis and other sys-
temic aVects. Deflazacort is a newer steroidwhich also may be associated with a lower risk
of osteoporosis62 but there are no published
bisphosphonates or calcitonin is not known nor
It is usual to restrict intervention in patients
is it known how reliably non-responders can be
on steroids for those who are likely to receive
the equivalent of 7.5 mg or more of pred-
information is available it is suggested that
nisolone for more than six months. It is difficult
BMD is measured yearly while on treatment. If
in IBD to predict requirements. That depends
over two successive years there is deterioration
on the frequency of relapse and, particularly in
in the BMD (e.g., >4% per year58), treatment
Crohn’s disease, whether there is likely to be
should be changed to the other drug. If there is
long term treatment. It would therefore seem
no deterioration then treatment should be con-
appropriate to intervene in all patients with
tinued for at least three years, and possibly for
as long as osteoporosis persists. Currently,experience of bisphosphonate treatment is
confined to five years and it seems to be safe.59
Prevention or treatment of steroid induced
If there is deterioration at the yearly BMD
bone loss by vitamin D has been the subject of
measurement after cessation, the treatment
several studies.63–71 Four63–66 of these nine
studies appeared to show benefit. However, it is
difficult to compare the results and to apply
well as showing prevention of spinal and hip
them because the investigators used diVerent
bone loss, also demonstrated a reduction in ver-
vitamin D preparations for diVerent lengths of
tebral fractures in the subgroup of postmeno-
pausal women. This study suggests that approxi-
regimens, some were not randomised control-
mately five post-menopausal women starting on
led trials, the method of assessment of bone
steroids need to be treated with a bisphospho-
density varied, in some the number of patients
nate for one year to prevent one having a verte-
was small, and the patients had a variety of dif-
bral fracture. Thus, a bisphosphonate could be
ferent diseases. No reduction in fractures has
recommended for those on steroids if vitamin D
been demonstrated by any of these studies.
is either ineVective or cannot be tolerated. The
Nevertheless, two of the largest randomised
use of these drugs in combination for patients
controlled trials65 66 did show a significant
with severe bone disease has been advised.80
reduction in bone loss—one66 used vitamin D3
Although this is logical, the combination has not
(cholecalciferol) and the other65 calcitriol. The
use of vitamin D is not without risk72 andhypercalcaemia occurred in a quarter of the
6.8.4 Bone mineral density threshold for
patients on calcitriol.65 On the basis of these
two studies we recommend the routine use of
There is no direct evidence on which to base a
vitamin D in patients with IBD while they
threshold of BMD for giving a bisphosphonate.
receive steroids. Because of the risk of hyper-
calcaemia with calcitriol we favour vitamin D2
treatment for a T score below −1.5.
or D3 depending on availability (they areequivalent). In the UK a convenient prepara-
6.8.5 Summary for patients on steroids
tion is “calcium and ergocalciferol” (“calcium
In summary, for those on steroids, we recom-
and vitamin D”). Two tablets daily provide 800
mend 800 units of vitamin D daily for the
units of vitamin D (and 200 mg calcium), as
duration of steroid therapy. BMD should be
measured, and repeated every year in which
Rheumatology.43 This treatment seems to be
steroids are given if the T score is <0. If the T
safe without monitoring. These tablets are like
score is >0 the BMD should be re-measured
chalk and have to be chewed or crushed before
every three to five years.81 If the T score is less
swallowing. If they are not well tolerated two
than −1.5 we would oVer a bisphosphonate,
tablets of Calcichew D3 Forte (Shire, UK)
could be used instead. This also provides 800units of vitamin D (cholecalciferol) but rather
7.0 Conclusion
more calcium (1000 mg). Additional dietary
Although these suggested strategies are based
calcium would therefore not be advised.
on published evidence as far as possible, they
Although the above studies of vitamin D were
are of necessity arbitrary to some extent
mainly of patients with rheumatology disorders
because there are many gaps in our knowledge.
and asthma rather than IBD, we are further
An attempt has been made to indicate the areas
where therapeutic research would be most use-
because one study73 of 1000 units daily of vita-
ful. Clearly, alternative strategies might be just
min D3 in patients with Crohn’s disease (of
as valid, and any strategy will require modifica-
whom one third received steroids) prevented
tion in the light of new knowledge. In the
bone loss. Furthermore, another study74 of 700
meantime it is hoped that these guidelines will
units daily of vitamin D3 for three years in
form a basis for rational management of two
healthy people over 65 years caused a signifi-
cant reduction in non-vertebral fractures (ver-tebral fractures were not assessed). Thissuggests that roughly 14 (95% CI 8 to 34) peo-ple over 65 years of age need to be treated for
8.0 Search strategy
Medline was searched back to 1990 using the
fracture. Nevertheless, this is indirect evidence
subjects osteoporosis and bone density com-
and a controlled study of vitamin D in patients
with IBD receiving steroids would be appropri-
Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and coeliac
disease. All relevant papers were obtained andfurther papers obtained by scrutiny of the ref-
Bisphosphonates have also been shown to beeVective at reducing steroid induced bone loss. 9.0 Levels of evidence for
There are five studies,75–79 all of which were for
recommendations
one year and showed benefit. One76 was not a
The various recommendations in the summary
randomised controlled trial. Two77 79 were on
strategies are graded ***, ** and * according to
patients embarking on steroids, and three75 76 78
the level of evidence: ***Evidence based upon
were on patients on long term steroids, one of
well designed randomised controlled trials
which comprised patients with established
osteoporosis.78 One study used the bisphosphon-
(1) prospective non-randomised controlled
ate APD ((3-amino-1-hydroxypropylidene)-1,
1-bisphosphonate)75 and the other four used
cyclical etidronate. The largest study79 (141
(3) retrospective and cross sectional studies
patients who had recently started steroids), as
Guidelines for Osteoporosis in Coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease
17 Mazure R, Vasquez H, Gonzalez D, et al. Bone mineral
aVection in asymptomatic adult patients with celiac
disease. Am J Gastroenterol 1994;89:2130–4.
18 Valdimarsson T, Toss G, Ross I, et al. Bone mineral density
in coeliac disease. Scand J Gastroenterol 1994;29:457–61.
19 McFarlane XA, Bhalla AK, Reeves DE, et al. Osteoporosis
in treated adult coeliac disease. Gut 1995;36:710–14.
20 Walters JRF, Banks LM, Butcher GP, et al. Detection of low
bone mineral density by dual energy absorptiometry inunsuspected suboptimally treated coeliac disease. Gut10.0 Process of guideline formulation
1995;37:220–4.
21 Pistorius LR, Sweiden WH, Purdie DW, et al. Coeliac
The guidelines were first drafted by Dr Eleanor
disease and bone mineral density in adult female patients.
M Scott (Registrar in Endocrinology at St
Gut 1995;37:639–42.
22 Corazza GR, Sario AD, Cecchetti L, et al. Bone mass and
James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK) and Dr
metabolism in patients with celiac disease. Gastroenterology
Brian B Scott (Consultant Gastroenterologist at
1995;109:122–8.
23 Valdimarsson T, Lofman O, Toss G, et al. Reversal of osteo-
Lincoln County Hospital, UK). These were then
penia with diet in adult coeliac disease. Gut 1996;38:322–
sent to Dr Ian Gaywood (Consultant Rheuma-
24 Mora S, Weber G, Barera G, et al. EVect of gluten-free diet
tologist at Lincoln County Hospital) for com-
on bone mineral content in growing patients with celiac
ments and suggestions. The guidelines were then
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Convergent Software & ISO 28560-2 Conformance Document The bit and byte ordering discussed in the ISO 28560-2 Guidelines for development of ISO 28560-2 conformant devices (direct link: http://biblstandard.dk/rfid/docs/conformance_28560-2.pdf) explains that there is a complex relationship between the various components between the application (for example the Library Management System)
Step Therapy Criteria Step 1- PATIENT NEEDS TO HAVE A DOCUMENTED TRIAL OF ANY TWO OF THE FOLLOWING Benicar, Benicar HCT, DRUGS, 1 DRUG FROM EACH CLASS, IN THE PREVIOUS 120 DAYS BEFORE MOVING TO STEP 2: Diovan, Diovan HCT ACE-Inhibitor (including combinations with HCTZ) Benazepril Hcl, Benazepril Hcl/Hydrochlorothiazide, Captopril, Captopril /Hydrochlorothiazide, Enalapril Maleate,