Bone mineral density in women with ankylosing spondylitis

Objective. To determine bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal women w ith early ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods. Eighteen premenopausal women with AS without syndesmophytes, inter apophysiary arthritis, and/or coxofemoral joint destruction were studied. B MD was analyzed at lumbar spine and femoral neck by dual energy x-ray absor ptiometry (Hologic QDR 1000). Z scores and T scores related to the general Spanish population were recorded. Comparisons were performed using the Stud ent t test. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to study the corre lation between BMD and the variables. Following the WHO classification, ost eopenia was diagnosed in patients with T score between -1 and -2.5 and oste oporosis in those with T score < -25 at lumbar spine or femoral neck. Results, The mean Z score for spine BMD was -0.19 +/- 0.7, and -0.03 +/- 0. 85 For femoral neck BMD. There were no significant differences of Z score v alues compared to the general population. No significant correlation was fo und between BMD and disease duration, radiology sacroiliac score, and spine mobility. Densitometry showed osteopenia in 2 patients and osteoporosis in none. Conclusion. We found a slight reduction in BMD in premenopausal women with early AS, but the difference was not statistically significant. We discuss the factors related to its pathogenesis.