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Increased prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) has been observed among high-risk populations such as healthcare workers (HCWs). The results may depend on the method of LTBI assessment, interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) and/or tuberculin skin test (TST). Here, we investigated the prevalence and risk factors for LTBI assessed by both IGRAs and TST in HCWs living in Morocco, a country with intermediate tuberculosis (TB) endemicity and high BCG vaccination coverage. HCWs were recruited in two Moroccan hospitals, Rabat and Meknes. All the participants underwent testing for LTBI by both IGRA (QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube, QFT-GIT) and TST. Different combinations of IGRA and TST results defined the LTBI status. Risk factors associated with LTBI were investigated using a mixed-effect logistic regression model. The prevalence of LTBI among 631 HCWs (age range 18-60 years) varied from 40.7% (95%CI 36.9-44.5%) with QFT-GIT to 52% (95%CI 48.2-56.0%) with TST using a 10 mm cut-off. The highest agreement between QFT-GIT and TST (κ = 0.50; 95%CI 0.43-0.56) was observed with the 10 mm cut-off for a positive TST. For a definition of LTBI status using a double positive result for both QFT-GIT and TST, significant associations were found with the following risk factors: being male (OR = 2.21; 95%CI 1.40-3.49; p = 0.0007), belonging to age groups 35-44 years (OR = 2.43; 95%CI 1.45-4.06; p = 0.0007) and even more 45-60 years (OR = 4.81; 95%CI 2.72-8.52; p = 7.10-8), having a family history of TB (OR = 6.62; 95%CI 2.59-16.94; p = 8.10-5), and working at a pulmonology unit (OR = 3.64; 95%CI 1.44-9.23; p = 0.006). Smoking was associated with LTBI status when defined by a positive QFT-GIT result (OR = 1.89; 95%CI 1.12-3.21; p = 0.02). A high prevalence of LTBI was observed among HCWs in two Moroccan hospitals. Male gender, increased age, family history of TB, and working at a pulmonology unit were consistent risk factors associated with LTBI.

Osteoporosis is a common complication of chronic liver disease, from cholestatic disorders to autoimmune, alcoholic, and posthepatitic cirrhosis. Osteoporosis appears more striking in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) because the disease usually affects elderly women, who are naturally prone to osteoporosis. Our aims were (1) to compare the prevalence of osteoporosis (T-score-2.5 SD) between PBC patients and a group of age-and sex-matched controls consisting of healthy subjects from the general population; and (2) to identify the main risk factors for the development of bone loss. Thirty-three women with PBC (mean age, 47.3 +/- 10.4 years) and 66 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed at the lumbar spine by dual-photon X-ray absorptiometry. Bone metabolism was evaluated by measuring serum calcium corrected for serum albumin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH vit D), parathyroid hormone, and osteocalcin. Vertebral fractures were analyzed using vertebral fracture assessment (VFA). The mean T-score was lower in the PBC group compared to healthy controls, with a significant statistical difference (-2.39 +/- 0.93 and -1.47 +/- 0.99 in lumbar spine and total hip, respectively, in the PBC group versus -0.99 +/- 0.51 and -0.56 +/- 1.14 in healthy controls (P0.001). The prevalence of osteoporosis was 51.5% in the PBC group versus 22.7% in healthy controls with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.004). BMD of the PBC group was significantly correlated positively with body mass index (BMI) and 25-OH vit D, and negatively with menopausal status, duration of disease, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Vertebral fractures were present in 9% of the patients. We found that osteoporosis is more prevalent in women with PBC than in the general population. BMI, menopausal status, duration of the disease, and vitamin D deficiency are the main risk factors for osteoporosis in this liver disease.

Osteoporosis has become an increasingly recognized complication among patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in patients with CLD (primary biliary cirrhosis and chronic viral hepatitis B or C patients) in comparison with a group of age- and sex-matched controls. Sixty-four patients with CLD (mean age 51.66 ± 11.54 years), 48 females and 16 males were included. Age- and sex-matched individuals from the general population served as controls. Osteoporosis was evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (bone mineral density below −2.5 T score) at the lumbar spine (LS) and total hip (TH). Vertebral fractures were established by densitometric morphometry (vertebral fracture assessment). Bone turnover was assessed by intact parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin and C-telopeptides of type I collagen in the serum. Prevalence of osteoporosis in either the LS or the TH was 45.3%, twice as high as in the controls (19.6%) (RR 2.31, 95% CI 1.42–3.75, P < 0.001). Age, menopausal status, cirrhosis and advanced histological stage are not determinant factors for developing osteoporosis in patients with CLD. However, female sex, cholestasis, lower weight and height but not body mass index seem to play predominant role. Three (5.3%) patients had dorsal and LS fractures. It was concluded that osteoporosis is effectively a complication of CLD. Cholestasis in addition to female sex and lower weight and height are risk factors of osteoporosis in CLD.