Rheumatoid Arthritis

Research from M. Kinjo and colleagues provide new insights into arthritis epidemiology

Rheumatoid Arthritis Library Library Home This article was published in Pain & Central Nervous System Week, which you can subscribe to online.

"We examined the relationship between BMD and RA in a representative US population-based sample from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III: 1988-1994) We selected subjects over age 60 with RA from NHANES III using previously described methods. Femoral neck BMD (FN-BMD) measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was compared for the RA (n=106) and non-RA cohorts (n=4,277). Multivariable linear regression models included known risk factors for osteoporosis. Further adjusted analyses compared the BMD among subgroups of patients with RA, such as those taking methotrexate (MTX), those with positive rheumatoid factor (RF), and those with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) Patients with RA more frequently reported poor health, a history of falling, cognitive impairment, early menopause, a history of chronic obstructive lung disease, higher total calcium intake, and thiazide use than the non-RA subjects (all p<0.05). Adjusted FN-BMD was similar between the patients with RA (0.71 g/cm2) and non-RA subjects (0.72 g/cm2; p=0.5). Among patients with RA, reduced BMD tended to be seen with MTX use (0.60 g/cm2, p=0.07), CRP above 1 mg/dl (0.66 g/cm2, p=0.09), and positive RF in female patients (0.68 g/cm2, p=0.056). However, none of these findings reached statistical significance Among a US population-based representative sample, FN-BMD was similar in RA and non-RA patients," wrote M. Kinjo and colleagues, .

The researchers concluded: "Several characteristics of patients with RA may be associated with reduced BMD."

Kinjo and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Rheumatology (Bone mineral density in older adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an analysis of NHANES III. Journal of Rheumatology, 2007;34(10):1971-5).

For additional information, contact M. Kinjo, Teine Keijinkai Hospital, Teine-ku Sapporo city, Japan.

The publisher's contact information for the Journal of Rheumatology is: J Rheumatol Publ Co., 920 Yonge St., Suite 115, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3C7, Canada.

Keywords: Japan, Arthritis Epidemiology, Alternative Medicine, Arthritis, Bone, Drugs, Epidemiology, Methotrexate Sodium, Pharmaceuticals, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatology, Therapy, Treatment.

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.