Levels of markers of bone resorption are moderately increased in patients with inactive rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. Clinical remission occurs in 10-20% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it is questionable whether clinical remission corr esponds to the complete absence of the inflammatory process. To answer this question we measured collagen degradation products (which are known to be increased in active disease) in patients with inactive RA and in healthy co ntrols. Patients and methods. The urinary levels of bone resorption markers (pyridi noline, deoxypyridinoline, N-terminal telopeptide and C-terminal telopeptid e) were measured in 184 patients with inactive RA, as defined by the prelim inary criteria of clinical remission of the American College of Rheumatolog y, and in 118 healthy individuals. Results. After adjusting for age, concentrations of all foul bone resorptio n markers were found to be significantly higher in patients with inactive R A than in healthy controls. Conclusion. The urinary excretion of bone resorption markers is increased i n patients classified as having inactive RA. These results suggest that the inflammatory process is not completely absent.