OSTEOPOROSIS IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS - EFFECT OF DISEASE-ACTIVITY

In addition to juxtaarticular osteoporosis, which appears to reflect p redominantly local disease mechanisms, more generalized bone loss can occur in rheumatoid arthritis(RA), The aim of this study was to compar e bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and proximal femur in RA patients versus controls and evaluate the influence of disease rel ated determinants. Twenty-seven patients with RA and twenty healthy su bjects were included in this study, BMD was significantly reduced in R A patients compared with the control group, BMD was correlated with du ration of disease, health assessment questionnaire scores, hand grip s trength and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. These results support the hypothesis that BMD may be affected by RA related determinants.