Association between rheumatoid arthritics and osteoporosis among Chinese men, a community based study

The main purpose of this study was to estimate the associations between rheumatoid arthritics (RA) and osteoporosis (OP) in general Chinese men.

We conducted a large-scale, community-based, cross-sectional study to investigate the associations by using self-report questionnaire to access medical history. A total of 1041 men were recruited sis in this study. Multiple regression models controlling for confounding factors to include RA were performed to investigate the relationships for OP.

Univariate analysis indicated there was no significant association between RA and T-score (P = 0.103), however, significant association between RA and OP was reported (P = 0.005). Multiple regression analysis indicated that RA was significantly associated with OP (P = 0.013, OR = 3.191 95% CI: 1.284-7.932). The men with RA had a significant higher prevalence of OP.

The findings indicated that RA was independently and significantly associated with OP. The prevalence of OP was less frequent in Chinese men without RA.