Osteoporosis and sarcopenia in women with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: to assess bone mineral density (BMD) and the incidence of osteoporosis (OP) and sarcopenia (SP) in women suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Patients and methods. Eighty-one women (mean age, 59.0±8.1 years) with a reliable diagnosis of RA were examined. The women underwent the following studies: a survey using a special questionnaire; tests to measure the functional status of muscles, including those to determine their strength; as well as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the axial skeleton and whole body.
Results and discussion. According to the EWGSOP2 criteria, 20 (24.7%) female patients were diagnosed with SP, 24 (29.6%) had OP, and 39 (48.2%) had osteopenia. OP in female patients with and without SP occurred in 35.0 and 27.9% of cases, respectively (p>0.05). BMD in the femoral neck and in the proximal femur as a whole was significantly lower in the presence of SP than in its absence (p=0.0006 and p=0.0061, respectively). The frequency of falls was significantly higher in the female patients with SP than in those without SP (p=0.028). The major osteoporotic and hip fracture probabilities calculated according to the FRAX ® algorithm was higher in the patients with SP than in those without SP (p=0.041 and p=0.033, respectively). There were positive correlations of BMD with body mass index, appendicular muscle mass, appendicular muscle index, hand strength, shoulder circumference, and the serum levels of calcium, creatinine and uric acid, as well as negative correlations with age, postmenopausal length, and RA duration.
Conclusion. OP and SP are common RA complications that increase the risk of falls and fractures.

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