Metabolic bone diseases in intestinal failure.

Metabolic bone diseases are a group of conditions that are common complications in patients with intestinal failure. These may occur as a result of the underlying condition, leading to intestinal failure, particularly inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease and their associated treatments including corticosteroids. Malabsorption, as a result of a loss of enterocyte mass or gut function, of many nutrients, including vitamin D, may further compound metabolic bone problems, and there has been historical contamination of parenteral nutrition with aluminium that has prevented normal bone metabolism contributing to osteoporosis. This review looks at the diagnosis and current management of bone health in patients with intestinal failure.