Relationship Between Body Composition and Regional BMD in Premenopausal Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis - Original Investigation

Aim: This study was performed to investigate the relationship between body composition and regional bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and Methods: 23 RA patients and 31 age and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited in this study. Clinical and laboratory assessments of patients were recorded. Health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) was used in the assessment of functional disability. BMD values were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The regional BMD (upper and lower extremities), L1-L4 lumbar spine BMD, femoral neck BMD and total body BMD were analyzed. Also, regional lean mass(upper and lower extremities), total lean mass of body, regional fat mass (upper and lower extremities), body fat mass, percentage of body fat were measured with DXA. Results: BMD values of all body sites were significantly lower in RA patients versus the controls, while body composition determinants were no different between the two groups. BMD of lower extremities, femoral neck and total body were affected by lean mass of lower extremities and total body as independent from body weight in RA patients. Disease duration and HAQ scores were correlated with BMD values among the disease characteristics. Conclusion: Regional and total fat mass does not appear as relationship with BMD values. Lean mass of lower extremities and total body may be significant determinants of BMD on regions of femoral neck, lower limbs and total body in premenopausal women with RA. (From the World of Osteoporosis 2009;15:29-33)