Time-averaged disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis associated with long-term bone mineral density changes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with poor bone mineral density (BMD). We designed the current study owing to the lack of long-term prospective studies regarding whether a high disease activity leads to increased bone loss.

Methods

We have continually enrolled patients with RA. According to the average disease activity score in 28 joints based on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) during follow-up, the patients were classified into remission, low disease activity, and moderate or high disease activity groups. Patients were examined with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and after 3 years of follow-up. BMD changes were compared among the groups.

Results

We have studied 477 patients. Overall BMD was significantly reduced from bas

SUBMITTER: Hsu CY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7768880 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature