title: Measuring metacarpal cortical bone by digital x-ray radiogrammetry: a step forward?
abstract: Changes in metacarpal cortical bone mineral density (BMD) using digital x-ray radiogrammetry were studied in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. After 1, 2, and 5 years, large BMD losses were found: -1.7%, -2.8%, and -5.6%, respectively. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide levels were independent predictors of bone loss, indicating that the largest amount of bone loss was found in patients with severe inflammation and high production of auto-antibodies, who are known to be at the highest risk of developing radiological bone damage. Studies are needed about the spatial and time relationship between erosions and juxta-articular and metacarpal bone loss.
authors.forename: Piet P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Geusens
authors.forename: Willem F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Lems
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015519:Bone Density; D006801:Humans; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography