Mechano-structural alteration in proximal femora of individuals with alcoholic liver disease: Implications for increased bone fragility.

Although increased hip fracture risk is noted in patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD), their femoral microstructural and mechanical properties were not investigated previously. The present study aimed to analyze the associations between subregional deteriorations in femoral mechano-structural properties and clinical imaging findings to explain increased femoral fracture risk among ALD patients. This study analyzed proximal femora of 33 male cadaveric donors, divided into ALD (n = 13, 57 ± 13 years) and age-matched control group (n = 20, 54 ± 13 years). After pathohistological verification of ALD stage, DXA and HSA measurements of the proximal femora were performed, followed by micro-CT and Vickers microindentation of the superolateral neck, inferomedial neck, and intertrochanteric region. Bone mineral density and cross sectional area of the femoral neck were deteriorated in ALD donors, compared with healthy controls (p < 0.05). Significant ALD-induced degradation of trabecular and cortical microstructure and Vickers microhardness reduction were noted in the analyzed femoral regions (p < 0.05). Still, the most prominent ALD-induced mechano-structural deterioration was noted in intertrochanteric region. Additionally, more severe bone alterations were observed in individuals with an irreversible stage of ALD, alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC), than in those with an initial ALD stage, fatty liver disease. Observed osteodensitometric and mechano-structural changes illuminate the basis for increased femoral fracture risk in ALD patients. Additionally, our data suggest bone strength reduction that may result in increased susceptibility to intertrochanteric femoral fracture in men with ALD. Thus, femoral fracture risk assessment should be advised for all ALD patients, especially in those with ALC.

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