In a nutshell
This study investigated whether men with rheumatoid arthritis are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. They found that men with rheumatoid arthritis are twice as likely to develop osteoporosis compared to healthy individuals.
Some background
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves medications that suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation. Some medications used to treat RA may also cause bone mass to decrease. A decrease in bone mass can lead to brittle bones and conditions like osteoporosis. One type of medication associated with this are glucocorticosteroids.
RA and osteoporosis more commonly affect women. It has been shown that women with RA have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Diagnosing osteoporosis in men is more difficult as it progresses slower than in women. It is unclear if male patients with RA are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis compared to healthy individuals.
Methods & findings
This study included information on 76 male patients with RA. The authors compared patient data taking into account information on RA disease, medication history and bone mineral density (BMD, a measure of bone strength) readings.
Men with RA had lower BMD in the hip compared to healthy participants. Patients taking glucocorticoids to treat RA also had a significantly reduced BMD in the hip bone. Overall, the frequency of osteoporosis across all bones was greater in patients with RA (22.4% vs. 10.5% of healthy individuals). The risk of osteoporosis was 2.1 times greater in patients with RA compared to healthy participants.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that men with rheumatoid arthritis are twice as likely to develop osteoporosis compared to healthy individuals.
The fine print
The number of participants in this study was relatively small, the results need to be confirmed in a larger sample of patients. This study was performed at one site and comprised of men of South Korean ethnicity.
What’s next?
Please consult with your physician if you have any concerns regarding osteoporosis risk and rheumatoid arthritis.
Published By :
Medicine
Date :
Jun 01, 2018
