Frequency of low bone mineral density in spondyloarthropathy presenting at a tertiary care hospital
Nazir, L.; Rehman, S.; Riaz, A.; Saeed, M.; Perveen, T.
Jpma. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 65(9): 973-977
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-9982 PMID: 26338744 Document Number: 680091
To determine the frequency and risk factors of low bone mineral density in patients with spondyloarthropathies. The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Rheumatology Department of a tertiary care hospital in Karachi between June and November 2014, and comprised spondyloarthritis patients whose bone mineral density of lumbar spine and hips was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Variables like disease duration, diagnosis, human leukocyte antigen subtype B27, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity Index, Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index, Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index were measured along with outcomes, differentiating between osteopenia and/or osteoporosis. SPSS 21 was used for statistical analysis. Of the 25 patients in the study, 16(64%) were males, 19(76%) had predominant axial involvement, and 20(80%) had duration of disease less than 10 years. Low bone mineral density at the spine and hip was found in 18(72%). Osteopenia was present in 9(36%) at hip and 8(32%)in spine, while osteoporosis was seen in 5(20%) at hip and 9(36%) in the spine. No significant association was found between bone mineral density and all the other parameters measured (p>0.05 each). Majority of spondyloarthritis patients had decreased bone mineral density which could be observed in early stages of the disease.