Abstract
Changes in metacarpal cortical bone mineral density (BMD) using digital x-ray radiogrammetry were studied in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. After 1, 2, and 5 years, large BMD losses were found: -1.7%, -2.8%, and -5.6%, respectively. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide levels were independent predictors of bone loss, indicating that the largest amount of bone loss was found in patients with severe inflammation and high production of auto-antibodies, who are known to be at the highest risk of developing radiological bone damage. Studies are needed about the spatial and time relationship between erosions and juxta-articular and metacarpal bone loss
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 127 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Journal | Arthritis Research & Therapy |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |