Vertebral bone mineral density changes in female rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with low-dose methotrexate.
OBJECTIVE
To assess vertebral bone mineral density (BMD) changes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients taking low-dose methotrexate (MTX).


METHODS
We evaluated in a 2-year, longitudinal study female RA patients, who had recently started a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), divided into two groups: group A, receiving MTX, and group B, receiving other DMARDs. Lumbar spine BMD was assessed at baseline and every year; RA activity was assessed every 3 months.


RESULTS
Sixty-two patients were enrolled in the study; 40 completed the follow-up period: 22 of group A, and 18 of group B. The results after 2 years showed that both groups lost bone significantly vs baseline (p < 0.001) in a comparable fashion: group A (mean +/- SD) -3.9 +/- 4.9% vs group B -3.0 +/- 3.7% (p = NS). The patients who showed active disease lost significantly (p < 0.05) more bone (-5.5 +/- 3.8%) than those with less active disease (-1.1 +/- 3.6%), independently of their DMARD.


CONCLUSIONS
Low-dose MTX in RA does not seem to exert relevant effects on trabecular bone.
Mazzantini
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.
Di Munno
O
O
Incerti-Vecchi
L
L
Pasero
G
G
D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D008727:Methotrexate