[Evaluation of mineral density in the distal radius during the course of rheumatoid arthritis]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of progressive systemic disease predisposing for osteoporosis. Inflammatory process, applied treatment as well as considerably impared efficiency of motor organ create conditions for osteoporosis. The changes of bone mineral density in RA were assessed in 50 patients treated for various form of RA, at the Rheumatological and Rehabilitation Hospital in Cracow. The age of patients ranged from 21-79 yrs: the mean age was 50 years. The group consisted of 46 (92%) females and 4 (8%) males. Apart from standard clinical examinations there was assessed in all cases mineral density in distal radius using Osteometer DTX 100. Mineral density BMD was estimated in distal and ultradistal region of radius. All patients were qualified into 4 groups depending on the stage of radiological changes according to Steinbrocker. Group I included 16%, group II-30%, group III-30%, and IV-24% of patients. Steroid therapy was applied in 20 (40%) cases. The results showed progressive decrease of mineral density BMD in distal radius in patients with advanced RA. It was also observed that in RA patients mineral density defect occurs earlier in trabecular than in cortical bone.