Prospective X-ray densitometry and ultrasonography study of the hand banesof patients with rheumatoid arthritis of recent onset

Objective. Bone demineralization observed in early rheumatoid arthritis is not easily measured. To measure bone loss and to discriminate between rheum atoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, we used two methods: dual-ene rgy X-ray absorptiometry and ultrasonography. Methods. From a population-ba sed recruitment, 32 patients with early peripheral polyarthritis (median di sease duration: 4 months) were studied. Clinical, laboratory, functional, h and-bone assessments were made at the entry and at months 6 and 12. Bone X- ray densitometry measurements were made on 16 areas of the hand. Speed of s ound was measured across the proximal phalanges of the four fingers. X-rays of both hands were scored according to the modified Sharp's score. At 12 m onths, patients were classified as rheumatoid arthritis (N = 15; 9 F) or as other rheumatic diseases. Results. We found: 1) significantly decreased bo ne mineral density (BMD) of the whole hand, in the rheumatoid arthritis gro up versus the other rheumatic diseases group, at 6 and 12 months (P < 0.05) ; 2) no significant decrease of bone mineral density (BMD) in other areas i n the rheumatoid arthritis group; 3) no significant change of ultrasounds i n either group; and 4) no significant correlation between the decrease of B MD in the rheumatoid arthritis group and clinical, biological or radiologic parameters, except for IFN<gamma>, whose production in whole blood cell cu lture was lower at entry in the rheumatoid arthritis group. Conclusion. DEX A bone assessment in rheumatoid arthritis was able to detect bone loss in t he whole hand at 6 months. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Els evier SAS.