Prevalence of reduced bone mineral density in adults with coeliac disease - are we missing opportunities for detection in patients below 50 years of age?

Objective: There are little data on the prevalence of reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in young adult patients with coeliac disease; guidelines do not support routine investigation of these patients. We assessed the prevalence of reduced BMD in our patients by age.

Patients And Methods: Prospective observational study of 260 coeliac patients having DXA one year after commencing gluten-free diet. Nonparametric tests and regression were used.

Results: Median age was 51years, BMI 24 and 85 (32.7%) were male. Reduced BMD was associated with increasing age (p < .001), female sex (p = .005), low BMI (p < .001) and previous fracture (p < .01); 49% of all patients and all patients under 20 years old had reduced BMD. The median age of patients with BMI <20 kgm was 56 (27, 70) years with the majority of younger patients having normal BMI.

Conclusions: Low BMD is a common finding in young patients with coeliac disease, yet routine assessment of BMD is not currently supported by national guidelines. Early identification may improve motivation to comply with GFD and allow adequate calcium and vitamin D supplementation to reduce risk of fracture later in life.