Preferential reductions of paraarticular trabecular bone component in ultradistal radius and of calcaneus ultrasonography in early-stage rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a major cause of secondary osteoporosis and is frequently associated with both paraarticular and generalized osteoporosis. The present study was designed to investigate the preferential sites of reduction of bone mineral density (BMD), in the early stage of RA, with special emphasis on the differential effect of RA on BMD in trabecular and cortical components. The participants (30 RA patients and 26 healthy participants) were all female with disease duration of less than 1 year. BMD in the radius was measured at 4% (ultradistal site) and 20% (midshaft) to the ulnar length proximal to the end of radius by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. BMD in lumbar spine was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry and the osteo-sono assessment index (OSI) of the calcaneus by ultrasound. RA patients showed lower BMD preferentially in the trabecular component, but not in cortical bone component of the ultradistal radius than age-matched normal controls. Calcaneus OSI was also significantly reduced. The radial midshaft and lumbar spine did not differ significantly between RA patients and normal controls. Trabecular BMD in the ultradistal radius exhibited negative correlations with serum CRP, ESR, and RF, and calcaneus OSI with M-HAQ score. In conclusion, it was suggested that disease activity of RA and impairment of daily physical activity might be a significant determinant of deterioration of bone structure in paraartciular distal radius and calcaneus, respectively, in early-stage RA patients.