BONE TURNOVER IN NONSTEROID TREATED RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Objective-To examine whether changes in cancellous bone turnover and r esorption cavity depth contribute to bone loss in patients with non-st eroid treated rheumatoid arthritis. Methods-Iliac crest biopsies were obtained from 37 patients with non-steroid treated rheumatoid arthriti s, 13 male and 24 female, aged 37-71 years. Bone turnover and resorpti on cavity characteristics were quantitatively assessed using semiautom ated computerised techniques. Results-When compared with age- and sex- matched control values, there was a significant reduction in bone form ation rate at tissue level and activation frequency (P < 0.001) in the patient group. The eroded perimeter, mean and maximum eroded depth an d cavity area were also significantly reduced (P < 0.01, <0.005, <0.00 1 and <0.005 respectively). Conclusion-These results demonstrate low b one turnover in non-steroid treated rheumatoid arthritis and indicate that the reduced bone mass in these patients is due mainly to a negati ve remodelling balance.