title: Body composition in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: The objectives were to determine the body composition, and the effects of disease and corticosteroid therapy on body composition, in a population of female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). All female SLE patients managed through a single centre were invited to participate in a cross-sectional study of body composition. Data were collected by standardized interview and examination, and review of medical records. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Eighty-two subjects were evaluated, 30 of whom were post-menopausal. Univariate linear regression analysis revealed a significant association of reduced fat-free mass with SLE severity [as measured by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborative Clinics (SLICC)] (P = 0.020), a history of corticosteroid exposure (P = 0.043) and age (P = 0.048). Reduced total body bone mineral density (BMD) was also significantly associated with SLICC (P < 0.001) and corticosteroid exposure (P = 0.017), and with age (P < 0.001), post-menopausal status (P = 0.003) and the duration of menopause (P < 0.001). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant association between fat-free mass and total body, lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD (P = 0.007, P = 0.025, P = 0.003, respectively). Fat mass was significantly associated only with lumbar spine BMD (P = 0.008). In this SLE population, disease severity and corticosteroid exposure were independently associated with a negative effect both on total body BMD and on fat-free mass. Fat-free mass was a significant predictor of lumbar spine, femoral neck and total body BMD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kipen
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Strauss
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Morand
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids