PREVALENCE OF REDUCED BONE-MINERAL DENSITY IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS AND THE ROLE OF STEROIDS

Objective. To determine the prevalence of reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in a large female cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to determine the role of steroids and disease related variables. M ethods. Ail females with SLE managed by rheumatologists affiliated wit h a single tenter were invited to undergo BMD measurement of the lumba r spine and left femoral neck by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEX A), standardized examination, and medical record review, Results. Nine ty-seven females with a mean (SD) age of 44.2 (14.9) years were studie d, Low bone mass [defined as BMD > 1 standard deviation (SD) below you ng adult mean] wart present in 44.3 and 42.1% at the lumbar spine and femoral neck? respectively, Osteoporosis (defined as BMD > 2.5 SD belo w young adult mean) was present in 13.4 and 6.3% at the lumbar spine a nd femoral neck, respectively, Steroid usage showed a strong inverse r elationship with BMD in the lumbar spine, but a less strong relationsh ip in the femoral neck, Conclusion. The findings of high prevalence of reduced BMD and association with steroid therapy have important impli cations for the routine management of SLE.