Skip to main content
Log in

Changes in Bone Density in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Osteoporosis International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract:

The objectives of the study were to determine the 2 year rate of bone changes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and, whether bone loss is related to physical impairment, systemic inflammation, and therapy. Consecutive outpatients fulfilling the modified New York criteria for AS were included. Baseline assessment included age, disease duration, treatment, clinical, radiologic and laboratory data. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined every 6 months. Persistent systemic inflammation was defined as mean ESR ≥ 28 mm/h or mean CRP ≥ 15 mg/l. Bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, at baseline and year 2. Statistical analysis compared the baseline and 24 month follow-up BMD data, and determined whether baseline data, and persistent systemic inflammation during the 2 years, were related to the 24 month percentage changes in BMD. Fifty-four patients (35 men, 19 women; mean age 37.3 ± 11.3 years, mean disease duration 12.4 ± 8.6 years) were included. After 2 years, BMD did not change at the lumbar spine (+0.75%± 3.5, p= 0.23), and decreased at the femoral neck (–1.6%± 4, p= 0.006). The 24 month percentage change in femoral neck BMD was related to persistent systemic inflammation, defined using ESR (mean percentage change –4.1%± 5.7 and –1.2%± 3.9 in patients with and without persistent inflammation; respectively; p= 0.007). These results suggest that persistent inflammation might be an etiologic factor of bone loss in AS.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Received: 15 November 2000 / Accepted: 15 February 2001

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Maillefert, J., Aho, L., El Maghraoui, A. et al. Changes in Bone Density in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study . Osteoporos Int 12, 605–609 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001980170084

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001980170084

Navigation