The frequency of osteoporosis in patients with primary biliary cholangitis

Objective: In our study, the aim was to determine the frequency of osteoporosis in patients diagnosed with PBK and PBK-OIH overlap syndrome, and to examine the relationship between the clinical characteristics, laboratory data, disease severity, treatment requirements, and osteoporosis in this group. Additionally, the study aimed to investigate the factors that may affect the frequency and development of osteoporosis in PBK and PBK-OIH overlap syndrome. Materials and Methods: A total of 104 patients with PBK and PBK-OIH overlap syndrome, followed up between 2000 and 2024 at the Gastroenterology outpatient clinic of Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, were retrospectively examined. Among them, 62 patients (48 with PBK and 14 with PBK-OIH overlap syndrome) who underwent femoral neck and lumbar vertebra (L1-L4) BMD measurements using DXA in the last three years were included in the study. Results: : A total of 104 patients with PBK and PBK-OIH overlap syndrome, followed up between 2000 and 2024 at the Gastroenterology outpatient clinic of Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, were retrospectively examined. Among them, 62 patients (48 with PBK and 14 with PBK-OIH overlap syndrome) who underwent femoral neck and lumbar vertebra (L1-L4) BMD measurements using DXA in the last three years were included in the study. Conclusion: In our study, the frequency of osteoporosis in patients with PBK and PBK-OIH overlap syndrome (n=62) was found to be 32.3% (n=20). It was confirmed that osteoporosis in PBK is strongly associated with gender, advanced age, and menopause. Additionally, the presence of chronic liver disease and UDCA response in patients with PBK and PBK-OIH overlap syndrome was not found to increase the frequency of osteoporosis. Keywords: Primary biliary cholangitis, Osteoporosis