Ward LM, et al. – The specialists determine the prevalence of vertebral fractures and the impact of Crohn’s disease (CD) on muscle and bone mass, strength, density, and geometry in children with newly diagnosed CD. They reported that children with newly diagnosed CD had profound muscle and bone deficits. However, the prevalence of vertebral fractures at this time point was low.

Methods

• This study included 73 children (26 girls) with CD aged 7.0 to 17.7 years.
• Participants were examined by lateral spine radiograph for vertebral fractures and by jumping mechanography for muscle strength.
• With the aid of dual–energy x–ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), bone and muscle mass, density, and geometry were evaluated.

Results

• In 66 (90%) patients, disease activity was moderate to severe.
• Mean height (Z–score –0.3, standard deviation (SD) 1.1, p = 0.02), weight (Z–score –0.8, SD 1.3, p < 0.01), body mass index (Z–score –1.0, SD 1.3, p < 0.01), lumbar spine areal bone mineral density (BMD; Z–score –1.1, SD 1.0, p < 0.01), total body bone mineral content (Z–score –1.5, SD 1.0, p < 0.01), and total body lean mass (Z–score –2.5, SD 1.1, p < 0.01) were all low for age and gender.
• pQCT displayed reduced trabecular volumetric BMD at the tibial metaphysis, expansion of the bone marrow cavity and thin cortices at the diaphysis, and low calf muscle cross–sectional area.
• Jumping mechanography showed low muscle power.
• Only one patient reported a vertebral fracture.