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Updated: May 30, 2026

In Vivo Quantification of Hip Arthrokinematics during Dynamic Weight-bearing Activities using Dual Fluoroscopy
Published on: July 2, 2021
Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with less optimal hip structural geometry
Nicole C Wright1, Jeffrey R Lisse, Thomas J Beck
1Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. ncwright@uab.edu
Women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) show reduced bone strength and geometry in the narrow neck region over nine years. This study highlights the long-term impact of RA on hip bone structure.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rheumatology
- Bone Biology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease.
- RA is associated with an increased risk of fractures.
- The impact of RA on bone strength and geometry over time is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess longitudinal changes in bone strength and hip structural geometry in women with RA compared to controls.
- To investigate the association between RA and specific femoral regions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Women's Health Initiative bone mineral density (WHI-BMD) subcohort.
- Applied hip structural analysis to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans at baseline and years 3, 6, and 9.
- Employed linear regression and random coefficient models to analyze associations.
Main Results:
- Women with RA exhibited lower bone mineral density (BMD) and significantly reduced outer diameter, cross-sectional area, and section modulus at the narrow neck (NN) region.
- No significant associations were observed in the intertrochanteric (IT) or shaft (S) regions.
- Reductions in BMD and structural geometry were present at baseline and persisted at a fixed rate over the 9-year study period.
Conclusions:
- Women with RA have diminished hip bone strength and geometry, particularly at the narrow neck, from baseline and longitudinally.
- These structural deficits in RA patients are evident over a 9-year period.
- RA's detrimental effect on bone structure is a significant concern for fracture risk.
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