Osteoporosis in the rheumatic disease patient

Rheumatic disease patients often have both systemic and localized inflammatory processes. The result of this inflammation is tissue destruction and this translates into bone loss. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of systemic factors that either directly or indirectly activate receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) dependent osteoclast activation and induce bone loss. In this article we will review the pathogenesis of inflammatory bone loss and explore the possible interventions to prevent it.