Bone turnover in non-steroid treated rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether changes in cancellous bone turnover and resorption cavity depth contribute to bone loss in patients with non-steroid treated rheumatoid arthritis.


METHODS
Iliac crest biopsies were obtained from 37 patients with non-steroid treated rheumatoid arthritis, 13 male and 24 female, aged 37-71 years. Bone turnover and resorption cavity characteristics were quantitatively assessed using semiautomated computerised techniques.


RESULTS
When compared with age- and sex-matched control values, there was a significant reduction in bone formation rate at tissue level and activation frequency (P < 0.001) in the patient group. The eroded perimeter, mean and maximum eroded depth and cavity area were also significantly reduced (P < 0.01, < 0.005, < 0.01 and < 0.005 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate low bone turnover in non-steroid treated rheumatoid arthritis and indicate that the reduced bone mass in these patients is due mainly to a negative remodelling balance.
Compston
J E
JE
Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Vedi
S
S
Croucher
P I
PI
Garrahan
N J
NJ
O'Sullivan
M M
MM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal