Longitudinal changes in BMD and fracture risk in orthotopic liver transplant recipients not using bone-modifying treatment

Osteoporosis is prevalent in end-stage liver disease, but data on long-term changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and related fracture incidence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) are scarce. We evaluated BMD changes up to 5 years in consecutive recipients of a successful OLT at the Leiden University Medical Centre between 2000 and 2011, in whom sequential BMD data were available. Spinal radiographs were available at time of screening and at 6 and 12 months post-OLT and were assessed for vertebral fractures by two independent observers using Genant's semiquantitative method. Patients were excluded from the study when started on bisphosphonates. A total of 201 patients (71% men), median age 53 years (range, 18-70 years) were included in the study. Most common liver pathology was viral (27%) or alcoholic liver disease (25%). All patients received prednisone for at least 6 months after transplantation and the majority received either tacrolimus or cyclosporine for immunosuppression. At time of screening for OLT, osteoporosis and osteopenia were found in 18% and 36% of patients at the lumbar spine (LS), respectively, and in 9% and 42% at the femoral neck (FN), respectively. T-scores declined significantly at both sites 6 months after OLT, but increased thereafter at the LS, reaching pretransplantation values at 2 years and remaining stable thereafter. FN T-scores remained consistently lower than pretransplantation values. The prevalence of vertebral fractures increased from 56% at screening to 71% at 1 year after OLT, with a fracture incidence of 34%. BMD changes did not predict fracture risk. Osteoporosis, osteopenia, and vertebral fractures are prevalent in patients with end-stage liver disease. An overall decline in BMD is observed within the first 6 months after OLT, with subsequent recovery to pretransplantation values at the LS, but not at the FN. Vertebral fracture risk is high after OLT regardless of changes in BMD.