Vitamin D and calcium for bone loss in Crohn's disease

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Adding a bone-building drug to vitamin D and calcium does not give further benefit when treating bone loss in Crohn's disease.
Loss of bone density and increased risk of fractures are known complications of Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the intestinal wall. Researchers at the University of Alberta have been looking at ways of preventing this bone loss.

They find that calcium and vitamin D alone can increase bone mineral density in Crohn's patients at risk by three to four per cent a year. But adding the drug etidronate, a medication that builds bone, adds no extra benefit. Trials on newer bone building drugs are underway and results will be available next year. The researchers say that those who have Crohn's disease should be assessed to see if they are risk of bone problems and, if so, should be treated with vitamin D and calcium alone.

Source
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 1st February 2005

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