Low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and its correlation with bone mineral density

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease 01313) are at risk of having vitamin D deficiency (25-OHD) and low bone mineral density (BMD). Objectives: To measure 25OHD in a young group of IBD patients submitted to a clinical evaluation, routine biochemistry and BMD measurement (lumbar spine and proximal femur). Results: 39 Crohn disease (CD) and 37 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients had lower serum levels of 25OHD compared to the control group (CD p = 0,003; UC p < 0,001), and 48.5% of the UC patients were 25OHD deficient. Lumbar spine BMD was lower in patients than controls (CD p = 0,001; UC p = 0,008). In CD patients, serum levels of 25OHD were significantly correlated with total femur (r = 0,391; p = 0,027) and femoral neck (r = 0,384; p = 0,03) BMD. Conclusion: It was found lower levels of 25OHD and BMD in young IBD patients compared to normal controls, suggesting an important role of 25OHD deficiency in the pathogenesis of the IBD bone disease.