Bone mineral density and hormonal status in men with systemic lupus erythematosus

A loss in bone mass was reported in premenopausal systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) women, but this problem has not been studied in SLE males. We evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) in SLE males and the relationship between prolactin (PRL) and testosterone with BMD. We also studied the controversial effect of steroid therapy on BMD in these patients. We measured BMD in the lumbar spine and at the hip in 20 SLE men (mean age 37 y) and in the controls (n = 40). We measured PRL and testosterone in serum and saliva. The mean dose of prednisone at the time of study was 11.6 mg; and cumulative dose was 17.6 g. No significative decrease in BMD was detected in SLE males vs controls; either in the lumbar spine (1.00 +/- 0.1 vs 1.05 +/- 0.1 g/cm2) or in the femoral neck (0.84 +/- 0.1 vs 0.87 +/- 0.1 g/cm2). No patient or control had osteoporosis or fractures. We did not find any relationship between BMD and cumulative dose and baseline dose of corticosteroids. The mean values of PRL and testosterone (serum and salivary) were in the normal range. We did not find any correlation between BMD, PRL and androgens. This study did not show a loss in bone mass in SLE men on corticosteroid therapy.