Serum Sclerostin Level and its Relation to Osteoporosis in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

Abstract

Summary T his study was done to evaluate serum sclerostin level in relation to osteoporosis in patients with compensated (Child A) and decompensated (Child B and C) stages of liver cirrhosis and in patients who had underwent liver transplantation. The study included 72 male patients. All patients in the study were asked to sign a consent before inclusion. Their anthropometric parameters were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. In addition to full clinical examination and complete laboratory investigations,the following was done (serum sclerostin level, serum calcium, serum phosphorus and serum parathyroid hormone level. Imaging included pelvi-abdominal ultrasound, Dexa scan and triphasic CT abdomen if needed). Patients are divided into 3 groups,group 1 that included 16 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis (Child A), group 2 that included 32 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis(Child B and C) and group 3 that included 24 patients who had underwent liver transplantation at least 6 months before enrollment. Results of our study showed that serum sclerostin level was present in higher concentration in group 2 (Child B and Child C patients) than in group 1 patients (Child A). serum sclerostin level was present in the lowest concentration in group 3 patients who had underwent liver transplantation at least 6 months before enrollment.