J Korean Rheum Assoc.
2002 Mar;9(1):50-57.
Frequency and Associated Factors of Generalized Bone Loss in Premenopausal Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Pusan, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To investigate frequency and associated factors of generalized bone loss in patients with premeonpausal early rheumatoid arthritis (RA)who had not been treated with corticosteroid.
METHODS
We measured bone mineral density (BMD)of lumbar spine and hip by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA,Hologic QDR 4500)and investigated clinical;age,disease duration,numbers of tender and swollen joint,and laboratory;erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C-reactive protein (CRP)and rheumatoid factor (RF),variables in patients with premenopausal early RA who had not been treated with corticosteroid,consecutively.Generalized bone loss was defined as T score less than -1,and clinical and laboratory variables were analyzed for generalized bone loss.
RESULTS
In 41 patients with premenopausal early RA (age;38 +/-8 years, duration of disease 8 +/-6 months),the frequency of generalized bone loss in lumbar spine and hip were 35%and 46%.In multivariate logistic regression analysis,elevated CRP level was significantly associated with generalized bone loss in lumbar spine and femur neck.
CONCLUSIONS
In patients with premenopausal early RA,elevated CRP level was associated with generalized bone loss of lumbar spine and femur neck.
