Loss of bone mineral density in premenopausal women with systemic lupus erythematosus

• Published in: Annals of the rheumatic diseases Vol. 54; no. 4; pp. 274 - 276
• Main Authors: Formiga, F, Moga, I, Nolla, J M, Pac, M, Mitjavila, F, Roig-Escofet, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism 01-04-1995; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Bone densitometry; Bone Density - drug effects; Bone Density - physiology; Densitometria òssia; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Femur Neck - physiopathology; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae - physiopathology; Lupus eritematós; Lupus erythematosus; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - drug therapy; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - physiopathology; Medical sciences; Menopausa; Menopause; Prednisone - pharmacology; Prednisone - therapeutic use; Premenopause - physiology; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Human; Immunopathology; Connective tissue disease; Corticosteroid; Skin disease; Premenopause; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Autoimmune disease; Exploration; Bone disease; Density; Inorganic element; Osteoporosis; X ray absorption spectrometry; Systemic disease; Female; Lupus erythematosus; Disseminated; Bone
• ISSN: 0003-4967; 1468-2060
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.54.4.274

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS--We measured BMD by dual energy x ray absorptiometry at lumbar vertebrae L2-4 and at the right femoral neck in 74 premenopausal white patients (mean age 30.8 years) with SLE who were receiving glucocorticoid therapy, and in a control group. RESULTS--The mean cumulative dose of prednisone was 32.5 (SD 28) g. The mean dose at the time of absorptiometry was 13.7 (6.9) mg. BMD was significantly reduced at the spine and at the femoral neck in SLE patients when compared with the control group: L2-4 = 0.943 (0.1) g/cm2 v 1.038 (0.1) g/cm2 (p < 0.001); femoral neck = 0.766 (0.09) g/cm2 v 0.864 (0.1) g/cm2 (p < 0.001). Nine patients (12.1%), but none of the control group, had a BMD less than the reference range. CONCLUSION--BMD in premenopausal patients with SLE was less than that in a control group and less than the reference range of values defining the presence of osteoporosis in 12.1%. We did not find a relationship between BMD and either cumulative or baseline dose of corticosteroid therapy.