Sven H Loosen1, Christoph Roderburg1, Münevver Demir2, Natalia Qvartskhava1, Verena Keitel1, Karel Kostev3, Tom Luedde1. 1. Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany. 2. Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 3. Epidemiologie, IQVIA Germany, Frankfurt, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and osteoporosis are common diseases with a rising incidence worldwide. Both diseases occur in similar patient populations, however, data on their mutual influence are conflicting. Here, we aimed to evaluate the impact of NAFLD on the incidence of osteoporosis and fractures by using the Disease Analyzer database featuring data on diagnoses, prescriptions, and demographic aspects of 7.49 million cases followed in general practices in Germany. METHODS: A total of 50,689 patients with NAFLD diagnosed between 2000 and 2015 were matched by age, sex, index year, and 3 comorbidities (obesity, diabetes mellitus, and vitamin D/calcium deficiency) to a cohort of equal size without NAFLD. Incidence of osteoporosis and bone fractures were compared between both groups within 10 years from the index date. RESULTS: Within the observation period, the incidence of osteoporosis was significantly higher in the NAFLD group (6.4%) compared to patients without NAFLD (5.1%; log-rank, p < 0.001). Similar results were observed for bone fractures (12.6 vs. 10.3 %; log-rank p < 0.001). The difference was more pronounced in women compared to men and observed in all age groups >50 years of age. CONCLUSION: Our data show that NAFLD is significantly associated with osteoporosis as well as bone fractures in a large cohort of patients followed in German general practices. This finding suggests that NAFLD patients might benefit from improved monitoring for the occurrence of bone demineralization and osteoporosis, which in turn could trigger preventive therapeutic measures. Thieme. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and osteoporosis are common diseases with a rising incidence worldwide. Both diseases occur in similar patient populations, however, data on their mutual influence are conflicting. Here, we aimed to evaluate the impact of NAFLD on the incidence of osteoporosis and fractures by using the Disease Analyzer database featuring data on diagnoses, prescriptions, and demographic aspects of 7.49 million cases followed in general practices in Germany. METHODS: A total of 50,689 patients with NAFLD diagnosed between 2000 and 2015 were matched by age, sex, index year, and 3 comorbidities (obesity, diabetes mellitus, and vitamin D/calcium deficiency) to a cohort of equal size without NAFLD. Incidence of osteoporosis and bone fractures were compared between both groups within 10 years from the index date. RESULTS: Within the observation period, the incidence of osteoporosis was significantly higher in the NAFLD group (6.4%) compared to patients without NAFLD (5.1%; log-rank, p < 0.001). Similar results were observed for bone fractures (12.6 vs. 10.3 %; log-rank p < 0.001). The difference was more pronounced in women compared to men and observed in all age groups >50 years of age. CONCLUSION: Our data show that NAFLD is significantly associated with osteoporosis as well as bone fractures in a large cohort of patients followed in German general practices. This finding suggests that NAFLD patients might benefit from improved monitoring for the occurrence of bone demineralization and osteoporosis, which in turn could trigger preventive therapeutic measures. Thieme. All rights reserved.