Reports from Leiden University highlight recent research in osteoporosis epidemiology
2007 NOV 12 -- Research findings, 'Bone mineral density in patients with recently diagnosed, active rheumatoid arthritis,' are discussed in a new report. According to a study from Leiden, Netherlands, "Osteoporosis is a well-known extra-articular phenomenon in patients with uncontrolled, long-standing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the present study, the extent of osteoporosis and reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and the disease-related and demographic factors that are associated with osteoporosis and reduced BMD were examined in patients with recently diagnosed, active RA BMD of the total hip and the lumbar spine was measured using dual-energy x ray absorptiometry in 381 patients with recently diagnosed active RA, who had never been treated with DMARDs or corticosteroids." "Osteoporosis was defined as a T score <or=-2.5 SD and reduced BMD as Z score <or=-1 SD. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to detect associations of osteoporosis and reduced BMD with disease activity, functional disability, joint damage (Sharp-van der Heijde score) and demographic factors Osteoporosis and reduced BMD were found in the spine and/or the hip in 11% and 25%, respectively, of the patients. Longer symptom duration and presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) were the only RA-specific markers for osteoporosis and reduced BMD. Further, postmenopausal status in women, a low body mass index, familial osteoporosis, and, remarkably, male gender, were independently associated with osteoporosis and reduced BMD In patients with recently diagnosed active RA who had never been treated with DMARDs or corticosteroids, BMD seems to be well-preserved and predominantly related to demographic factors," wrote M. Güler-Yüksel and colleagues, Leiden University. The researchers concluded: "Longer symptom duration and a positive RF, but not higher disease activity or more joint damage, were related to osteoporosis and reduced BMD." Güler-Yüksel and colleagues published their study in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (Bone mineral density in patients with recently diagnosed, active rheumatoid arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2007;66(11):1508-12). For more information, contact M. Güler-Yüksel, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, Netherlands. Publisher contact information for the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases is: B M J Publishing Group, British Med Association House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JR, England. Keywords: Netherlands, Leiden, Osteoporosis Epidemiology, Arthritis, Bone, Corticosteroid, Epidemiology, Osteoporosis, Rheumatic Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis. This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
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