Bone turnover in non-steroid treated rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Abstract Objective - To examine whether changes in cancellous bone turnover and resorption cavity depth contribute to bone loss in patients with non-steroid treated rheumatoid arthritis. Methods - Iliac crest biopsies were obtained from 37 patients with non-steroid treated rheumatoid arthritis, 13 male and 24 female, aged 37-71 years. Bone turnover and resorption cavity characteristics were quantitatively assessed using semi-automated computerised techniques. Results - When compared with age- and sex-matched control values, there was a significant reduction in bone formation rate at tissue level and activation frequency (P < O.OO1) in the patient group. The eroded perimeter, mean and maximum eroded depth and cavity area were also significantly reduced (P < 0.01, < 0.005, < 0.001 and < 0.005 respectively). Conclusion - These results demonstrate low bone turnover in non-steroid treated rheumatoid arthritis and indicate that the reduced bone mass in these patients is due mainly to a negative remodelling balance.