Audit of the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of osteoporosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Bessant, R.; Harris, C.; Keat, A.
Journal of Rheumatology 30(4): 779-782
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-162X PMID: 12672199 Document Number: 565058
Objective: Osteoporosis (OP) is a well recognized complication of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but there is no clear guidance to its appropriate management. To establish what might be considered as reasonable practice we surveyed the current practice of consultant rheumatologists in the United Kingdom. Methods: A questionnaire comprising 14 questions relating to the management of OP in AS was sent to 449 British rheumatologists. Three hundred ten (69%) of the 449 questionnaires sent were returned. Results: Only 98 respondents (31.6%) indicated that assessment of OP formed part of their routine management. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was the technique of choice for assessing bone mineral density (BMD) for 284 (91.6%). As general treatment, dietary advice was offered by 101 (32.6%) respondents, whereas 306 (98.7%) gave advice on exercise. Two case scenarios were presented and treatment choices recorded. When faced with a patient with osteopenia (-2.5