Abstract
Abbreviations:
AASLD (American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases), AACE (American association of clinical endocrinology), ACE (American college of endocrinology), BTM (Bone turnover markers), CTP (Child Turcot Pugh), DXA (Dual energy X ray absorptiometry), FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool), IGF (Insulin like growthfactor), OPG (Osteoprotegerin), PTH (Parathormone), RANK (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta), SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator), VFA (vertebral fracture assessment), UV (Ultra-violet)Funding
Author contributions
A systematic review and meta‐analysis on the incidence of osteoporosis and fractures after liver transplant. [cited 2022 Oct 27]; Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tri.13863
A systematic review and meta‐analysis on the incidence of osteoporosis and fractures after liver transplant. [cited 2022 Oct 27]; Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tri.13863
Prevalence of poor bone health in liver disease and liver transplant recipients
Pathogenesis of bone disease in cirrhosis
Gut and hormones
Kini U, Nandeesh BN. Physiology of Bone Formation, Remodeling, and Metabolism. In: Fogelman I, Gnanasegaran G, van der Wall H, editors. Radionuclide and Hybrid Bone Imaging [Internet]. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer; 2012 [cited 2022 Dec 7]. p. 29–57. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02400-9_2
RANK-RANKL-OPG Axis
Kini U, Nandeesh BN. Physiology of Bone Formation, Remodeling, and Metabolism. In: Fogelman I, Gnanasegaran G, van der Wall H, editors. Radionuclide and Hybrid Bone Imaging [Internet]. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer; 2012 [cited 2022 Dec 7]. p. 29–57. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02400-9_2
Renal dysfunction
Etiology of liver disease
Medications
Pathogenesis of bone disease in post liver transplant setting
Cartwright C, Anastasopoulou C. Hungry Bone Syndrome. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 [cited 2023 Mar 26]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549880/
Pre-transplant risk factors for bone disease in cirrhotic patients | ||
---|---|---|
Modifiable risk factors | Steps to improve the risk factor | Non-modifiable risk factors |
Vitamin D deficiency | Supplementation of Vitamin D | Immobility |
Usage of loop diuretics | ||
Dietary deficiencies | Screen and supplement | Cholestatic liver disease |
Tenofovir disproxil fumarate related tubular injury | Switch to Tenofovir alafenamide | Hypogonadism |
Use of alcohol and nicotine smoking | Counselling and ensure abstinence | |
Post liver-transplant risk factors for bone disease | ||
Modifiable risk factors | Steps to improve the risk factor | Non-modifiable risk factors |
Vitamin D deficiency | Supplementation of Vitamin D | Use of steroid and Tacrolimus |
Dietary deficiencies | Screen and supplement |

Evaluation for osteopenia/osteoporosis
Vertebral Fracture Assessment in Supine Position: Comparison by Using Conventional Semiquantitative Radiography and Visual Radiography | Radiology [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jan 12]. Available from: https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiol.2513080887

Drug therapy in pre-transplant period
Adult dose and route of administration | Comments | ||
---|---|---|---|
Bisphosphonates | Alendronate | 70 mg per oral once a week for maximum 5 years | GI intolerance, hypocalcaemia, osteonecrosis of jaw (rare), Atypical femur fracture (rare). Liver safe |
Ibandronate | 150 mg per oral once a month for maximum 5 years (IV form also available) | Same as above | |
Risedronate | 5 mg per oral daily for maximum 5 years | Same as above | |
Zoledronic acid | 5 mg IV slow infusion over 5 minutes, once a year for 5 years | Infusion reactions (in addition to the above) | |
Hormonal therapy | Teriparatide | 20 μg/day Subcutaneously daily for less than 2 years | Watch for hypercalcaemia, renal impairment. Liver safe |
Raloxifene | Not studied in post liver transplant setting- not preferred | Vaginal bleeding, hot flushes, deep vein thrombosis, coronary artery disease. | |
Testosterone | Not studied in post liver transplant setting- not preferred | Causes LFT derangement Interaction with cyclosporine, tacrolimus and glucocorticoids | |
Calcitonin | 100 IU intranasal daily or 200 IU S.C or I.M for 3-5 years | Not first choice as it is not most effective | |
Others | Vitamin D | 50,000 IU per oral once a week for 8 weeks | Ideal to correct vitamin D deficiency for optimal response to bisphosphonate |
Calcium | 500-1000mg per oral/day | ||
Denosumab | 60 mg subcutaneous once every 6 months for a period of 5 years | Liver safe, caution while using along with immunosuppression |
BC Clinical Guidelines for Liver Transplantation Jan 2023.pdf [Internet]. [cited 2023 Apr 13]. Available from: http://www.transplant.bc.ca/Documents/Health%20Professionals/Clinical%20guidelines/BC%20Clinical%20Guidelines%20for%20Liver%20Transplantation%20Jan%202023.pdf
Treatment of bone disease among patients post liver transplant
Vitamin D supplementation
H W. Vitamin D Status before and after Liver Transplantation. [cited 2022 Nov 28]; Available from: https://www.clinmedjournals.org/articles/ijtrm/international-journal-of-transplantation-research-and-medicine-ijtrm-5-040.php?jid=ijtrm
The 25(OH)D Level Needed To Maintain A Favorable Bisphosphonate Response Is ≥33ng/ml - PMC [Internet]. [cited 2022 Dec 15]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3893033/
Calcium supplementation
Drugs for osteoporosis (summarized in Table 1)
Bisphosphonate based therapy
Bisphosphonates. In: LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012 [cited 2022 Nov 28]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548566/
PTH analogues
Vall H, Parmar M. Teriparatide. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 [cited 2022 Nov 28]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559248/
Teriparatide. In: LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012 [cited 2022 Nov 28]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548722/
Bonsity, Forteo, parathyroid hormone (teriparatide) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more [Internet]. [cited 2022 Nov 28]. Available from: https://reference.medscape.com/drug/bonsity-forteo-teriparatide-342831#0
Denosumab
Denosumab. In: LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012 [cited 2022 Dec 7]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548424/
Calcitonin
Raloxifene
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators. In: LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012 [cited 2022 Dec 7]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548475/
Testosterone replacement therapy
Androgenic Steroids. In: LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012 [cited 2022 Dec 15]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548931/
Interactions between osteoporosis medications and post-transplant immunosuppressants
Stepwise management of osteoporosis – choice of drugs
When there is osteoporosis and high risk of fracture (no prevalent fracture)
When there is osteoporosis and low-moderate risk of fracture (no prevalent fracture)
When there is osteoporosis related vertebral fractures
When there is osteoporosis related hip fractures
Monitoring while on treatment
Avascular necrosis (AVN) of bone
Conclusions
Conflict of interest
Acknowledgements
References
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