Change in bone mineral density in premenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis managed with or without prednisolone

Abstract

Background:Osteoporosis (OP) is being increasingly recognized in inflammatory rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), characterized mainly by low bone mass, reduced bone strength, and an increased risk of fractures affecting bone metabolism influencing bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk.Results :Women in the RA with PRED group did not show lower BMD values than those in the RA without PRED group at baseline, in both lumbar spine L1-L4 (P=0.691), in femoral neck (P=0.332), in radius total (P=0.564) and radius UD (P=0.941). Women in the RA without PRED group had lower T score (Radius UD) (P=0.015) value than those in the RA with PRED group. However, during 12 months follow ups there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the change in BMD or projection area in the lumbar spine, femoral neck and radius UD.Conclusion: Premenopausal RA women with or without prednisolone treatment lost their bone mass statistically similar. Study assumes role of RA on axial bone mass development will be less important with better treatment of RA than our patients received.