Peripheral bone density in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Bone loss in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) varies at different skeletal sites. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether bone mineral density (BMD) of the forearm is significantly different in patients with RA and controls and may correlate to BMD or other parameters of inflammation or bone resorption. We included 421 patients (357 women: mean age 58.

Evaluation of bone mineral density, hormones, biochemical markers of bone metabolism, and osteoprotegerin serum levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective: To evaluate bone metabolism in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and test the hypothesis that osteoprotegerin (OPG) serum concentrations are correlated with the severity of bone loss as assessed by bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone turnover. Osteoporosis occurs frequently in patients with AS and OPG represents a soluble decoy receptor that neutralizes receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL), an essential cytokine for osteoclast function.

Methods: Clinical data, radiographs of the spine, BMD of lumbar spine and the femur, biochemical markers of bone turnover, and serum levels of OPG were evaluated in 264 patients with AS (72% men) and 240 age-matched healthy controls (76% men).

Interdisciplinary approach to balloon kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are associated with a series of clinical consequences leading to increased morbidity and even mortality. Early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention is desirable in order to remobilise patients and prevent further bone loss. Not all fractures are, however, sufficiently treatable by conservative measures.