BMJ open gastroenterology
Cure8 research brief
Why This Matters
The study suggests abdominal fat percentage (by DXA) is associated with fracture history in people with IBD, even after accounting for BMI, BMD, and lean mass. If confirmed prospectively, regional fat measures could help identify patients at higher skeletal risk.
Who Should Pay Attention
Adults with IBD (including those on glucocorticoids), gastroenterologists, bone-health clinicians, and researchers interested in body composition and fracture risk.
Study Snapshot
Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeResearch paper
Source depthJournal abstract
What To Know
This study used retrospective DXA scans from 1,302 adults with IBD to compare regional fat measures (abdominal and femoral fat percentage), total body composition, and BMD with patient-reported or recorded fracture history.
After adjusting for BMI, BMD, hip lean mass, comorbidities and glucocorticoid exposure, abdominal — but not femoral — fat percentage remained associated with fracture history. The association persisted in a subgroup of patients exposed to glucocorticoids and in sensitivity analyses that included hip lean mass.
The report is grounded in the article abstract (structured-content depth: abstract) and does not include results from prospective studies. The authors note that prospective work is needed to test whether abdominal fat predicts future fracture risk and to explore clinical utility.
Keep In Mind
Retrospective design and fracture history outcome limit causal inference. Findings are from DXA scans collected in northwest England; prospective studies are needed to test whether abdominal adiposity predicts future fractures and whether it adds actionable information beyond standard bone-density testing.
Source Details
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Research paper
Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationBMJ open gastroenterology
AuthorsSuvan Suntharalingam, Marwan Bukhari
InstitutionDepartment of Rheumatology, Furness General Hospital, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Barrow-in-Furness, UK.
Study typeJournal article
Indexed viaPubMed
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedAug 19, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract
Conflict statement: Competing interests: None declared.
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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