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Erosion Identification in Metacarpophalangeal Joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis using High-Resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography
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Erosion Identification in Metacarpophalangeal Joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis using High-Resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography

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[Coronary atherosclerosis and osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis]

A V Sineglazova

    Vestnik Rentgenologii I Radiologii
    |May 25, 2013
    PubMed

    Insights

    Rheumatoid arthritis patients with osteoporosis showed increased coronary artery calcification. This suggests a link between bone density loss and cardiovascular disease in women with RA.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiovascular Medicine
    • Rheumatology
    • Osteoporosis Research

    Background:

    • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease.
    • RA is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
    • Osteoporosis is common in RA patients, but its relationship with coronary atherosclerosis is not fully understood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the association between coronary atherosclerosis and osteoporosis in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
    • To determine if reduced bone mineral density correlates with coronary artery calcification in RA patients.

    Main Methods:

    • Computed tomography (CT) scanning was used to assess coronary artery calcification in 40 female RA patients.
    • Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the left hip and lumbar spine using a Lunar Prodigy-3 device.
    • Coronary calcium was quantified using SmartScore software and the Agatston score.

    Main Results:

    • Coronary atherosclerosis and calcification were found to be associated with reduced bone mineral density in the hip and lumbar spine.
    • Female RA patients diagnosed with osteoporosis exhibited significantly increased coronary artery calcification.

    Conclusions:

    • There is a significant association between coronary atherosclerosis and osteoporosis in women with rheumatoid arthritis.
    • Reduced bone mineral density may be a marker for increased cardiovascular risk in RA patients.

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