title: Bone mineral density level by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the level of bone mineral density by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The observational study was conducted at Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan, from January 2011 to December 2014. Bone mineral density was measured from the femoral neck, ward's triangle and lumbar spine, in patients 25-55 years of age, who were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. All the cases were assessed for bone mineral density from appendicular as well as axial skeleton. Data was collected through a designed proforma and analysis was performed using SPSS 21.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 229 rheumatoid arthritis patients, 33(14.4%) were males. Five (15.1%) males had normal bone density, 14(42.4%) had osteopenia and 14(42.4%) had osteoporosis. Of the 196(85.5%) females, 45(29.9%) had normal bone density, 72 (37.7%) had osteopenia and 79(40.30%) had osteoporosis. Of the 123(53.7%) patients aged 30-50 years, 38(30.9%) had normal bone density, 59(48.0%) had osteopenia, and 26(21.1%) had osteoporosis. Of the 106(46.3%) patients over 50 years, 12(11.3%) had normal bone density, 27 (25.5%) had osteopenia and 67(63.2%) had osteoporosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteoporosis and osteopenia were most common among rheumatoid arthritis patients. Assessment of bone mineral density by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry can lead to quick relief in the clinical symptoms with timely therapy.
authors.affiliation: Bone Mass Density Assessment Unit, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh Pakistan.
authors.forename: Asadullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Makhdoom
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Qasim
authors.initials: MQ
authors.lastname: Rahopoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynae & Obstretics, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shazia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Awan
authors.affiliation: Department of Burn Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syed Muhammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Tahir
authors.affiliation: Department of Paeds, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shazia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Memon
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Isra University, Hyderabad, Sindh Pakistan.
authors.forename: Khaleeque Ahmed
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Bone mass density, Rheumatoid arthritis, DEXA.