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Review
. 2015 Jul 14;1(1):e000052.
doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2015-000052. eCollection 2015.

Inflammation, bone loss and fracture risk in spondyloarthritis

Karine Briot  1 , Christian Roux  1
Affiliations
Review

Inflammation, bone loss and fracture risk in spondyloarthritis

Karine Briot et al. RMD Open. .

Abstract

Osteoporosis (ie, low bone mineral density) is common in ankylosing spondylitis, related to both systemic inflammation and decreased mobility. Vertebral fracture risk is increased; acute back pain in these patients is not always a flare-up of the disease, as it can be related to bone complications. Intervertebral disc fractures in the ankylosed spine are associated with severe neurological complications. As expected from pathophysiology, treatments effective against inflammation have a positive effect on bone, and prospective open studies have shown that tumour-necrosis-factor blockers can improve bone mineral density at the spine and the hip. There is so far no evidence of a decreased risk of fractures with such treatment.

Keywords: Ankylosing Spondylitis; Inflammation; Osteoporosis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Bone fragility in ankylosing spondylitis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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