Frequency of low bone mineral density in spondyloarthropathy presenting at a tertiary care hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency and risk factors of low bone mineral density in patients with spondyloarthropathies.


METHODS
The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Rheumatology Department of a tertiary care hospital in Karachi between June and November 2014, and comprised spondyloarthritis patients whose bone mineral density of lumbar spine and hips was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Variables like disease duration, diagnosis, human leukocyte antigen subtype B27, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity Index, Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index, Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index were measured along with outcomes, differentiating between osteopenia and/or osteoporosis. SPSS 21 was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Of the 25 patients in the study, 16(64%) were males, 19(76%) had predominant axial involvement, and 20(80%) had duration of disease less than 10 years. Low bone mineral density at the spine and hip was found in 18(72%). Osteopenia was present in 9(36%) at hip and 8(32%)in spine, while osteoporosis was seen in 5(20%) at hip and 9(36%) in the spine. No significant association was found between bone mineral density and all the other parameters measured (p>0.05 each).


CONCLUSIONS
Majority of spondyloarthritis patients had decreased bone mineral density which could be observed in early stages of the disease.
Department of Rheumatology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi.
Lubna
L
Nazir
Department of Rheumatology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi.
Shafique
S
Rehman
Department of Rheumatology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi.
Amir
A
Riaz
Department of Rheumatology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi.
Mohammad
M
Saeed
Department of Rheumatology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi.
Tahira
T
Perveen
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D012307:Risk Factors; D025242:Spondylarthropathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D063128:Tertiary Health Care
D015415:Biomarkers
Spondyloarthritis, Osteoporosis, Ankylosing spondylitis.