Risk Factors for Systemic Reduced Bone Mineral Density in Premenopausal Female Patients with Early Untreated Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Background Systemic osteoporosis (OP) is evident among patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA). This study aimed to investigate the OP risk factors in patients with ERA and who was treatment-naïve at inclusion. Subjects and Methods Systemic bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN) and total hip (TH) was measured in 135 treatment-naïve premenopausal females with early Rheumatoid Arthritis (ERA). For all patients, demographic data, vitamin D status, and the specific parameters of the disease, including disease activity, serum levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) were evaluated. Results T score was