Gender, age, and body weight are the major predictive factors for bone mineral density in Crohn's disease: a case-control cross-sectional study of 113 patients.

Objective: We conducted this study to assess bone mineral density and to evaluate conceivable predictive factors for bone loss in patients with Crohn's disease.

Methods: One hundred-thirteen patients with Crohn's disease and 113 healthy subjects, individually matched for gender, age, and body weight were investigated. The group consisted of 68 women and 45 men.

Selenium depletion in patients with gastrointestinal diseases: are there any predictive factors?

Background: Patients with intestinal disease are at risk of developing selenium deficiency due to impaired intestinal absorption. The aim of the present study was to evaluate selenium status and to identify predictive factors of selenium depletion in patients with gastrointestinal disease.

Methods: The concentration of selenium and the activity of glutathione peroxidase in plasma and erythrocytes were measured by fluorometry and by spectrophotometry.

Self-reported food intolerance in chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Although suggested, it has never been convincingly documented that food sensitivity is of pathogenetic importance in chronic inflammatory bowel disease. However, many patients may relate their gastrointestinal symptoms to specific food items ingested and may restrict their diet accordingly.

Methods: A questionnaire was sent to all patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease who attended the outpatient clinic, Medical Dept.

The metabolism of [75Se]selenite in patients with short bowel syndrome.

Background: Patients on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) require significantly higher amounts of selenium compared with controls. The purpose of the present study was to investigate if selenium deficiency of patients with short bowel syndrome is caused by selenium malabsorption or by excessive intestinal or renal loss.

Methods: The metabolism of [75Se]selenite was investigated in eight selenium-depleted short bowel patients on HPN and in six control subjects.

Bone loss and oral state in patients on home parenteral nutrition.

Background: The purpose was to analyze changes in the mandible and the forearm bone mineral content and oral state in patients on home parenteral nutrition due to short bowel syndrome in relation to the bone mineral values and oral findings in a normal population.

Methods: The bone mineral content was measured by dual-photon absorptiometry and the dental and periodontal state were studied in 15 adults patients (12 women, and 3 men, aged 26 to 65 years). All patients were on free oral intake as a supplement to the parenteral nutrition.