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Bone disease in systemic sclerosis: outcomes and associations
M A Omair1, H McDonald-Blumer, S R Johnson
1Toronto Scleroderma Program, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. momair_kfsh@hotmail.com.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|December 11, 2013
Summary
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients frequently experience low bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures. Non-Caucasian race, postmenopausal status, and low BMI are associated with low BMD in SSc patients.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Endocrinology
- Osteoporosis Research
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease with poorly understood effects on bone health.
- Low bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fracture risk are potential complications in SSc patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of low BMD in SSc patients.
- To identify factors associated with low BMD in SSc.
- To assess the risk of osteoporotic fractures in SSc.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 50 SSc patients was assessed for demographics, disease characteristics, and BMD (lumbar spine, femoral neck).
- Fracture occurrence and mortality were tracked over 2 years.
- The 10-year osteoporotic fracture risk was calculated using FRAX v2.0.
Main Results:
- 62% of SSc patients (n=45) had low BMD, with 36% of those having osteoporosis.
- Low BMD was significantly associated with non-Caucasian race, postmenopausal status, and lower BMI.
- Patients with low BMD showed a trend towards higher 10-year fracture risk and a higher incidence of fractures (14% vs 6%).
Conclusions:
- Low BMD and fractures are common in SSc.
- Clinical factors like race, menopausal status, and BMI are linked to low BMD in SSc.
- Further research is warranted on SSc-related bone loss and treatment.
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