Bone mineral density in egyptian children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: possible correlation to serum RANKL / osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio and OPG gene polymorphisms.

Background: Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are at higher risk of decreased bone mineral density (BMD) compared with healthy children due to genetic, disease and medication-related causes. This study aims to investigate the possible effects of osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene polymorphisms and serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB-ligand (RANKL) and RANKL/OPG ratio on BMD in children with JIA.

Methods: OPG gene rs2073617, rs3134069, serum RANKL, OPG and RANKL/OPG ratio were evaluated in 60 JIA children and 100 matched healthy controls.