Impact of Bone Mineral Density and Bone Structural Properties on Postmenopausal Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction There has been no study on bone structural properties in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Japan. This study investigated bone mineral density (BMD) and bone structural properties in Japanese postmenopausal women with RA. Methods The study had a cross-sectional design and included 119 postmenopausal women aged 50-80 years with RA symptoms for more than five years. BMD, trabecular bone score (TBS), and results of hip structure analysis (HSA) were measured on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. The control group consisted of 288 women aged 50-80 years without RA. The RA group and control group using bisphosphonates were compared after propensity score matching for age, body mass index, and fracture history. Women in the RA group were also compared according to the use of glucocorticoids (GCs). Results After the propensity matching score, there were no other significant differences in BMD, TBS, and HSA parameters between the RA group and the control group. In the RA group, the TBS was lower in patients on GCs than those not on GCs (1.272 vs 1.313, p=0.008). There were no other significant differences in BMD and HSA parameters between patients in the RA group according to the use of GCs. Conclusion Although there were no differences in BMD, the TBS was lower in patients on GCs than those not on GCs in the RA group. It is thus important for physicians who administer GCs to treat patients with RA to be aware of not only BMD but also TBS.

Can TBS reference values be a valid indicator for clinical vertebral fracture? A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Trabecular bone score (TBS) is partially independent of fracture risk. Reference values for TBS have not been established in official guidelines, and thus clinicians often have difficulty interpreting TBS results. This study aimed to investigate whether reference values for TBS could be a valid indicator for clinical vertebral fracture (CVF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 231 women with CVF and 563 women without CVF aged 60-90 years who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry during 2019-2023. They were divided into osteoporosis, osteopenia, and normal groups according to bone mineral density of the lumbar spine. Reference values for TBS were defined as low (≤ 1.23), intermediate (1.23-1.31), and high (≥ 1.31). RESULTS: Among patients without anti-osteoporosis treatment (n = 476), the proportion with low TBS was 36.7% in the CVF group and 10.7% in the control group. The proportion with CVF was higher in the low TBS group than in the intermediate and high TBS groups, especially in the osteoporosis group (p < 0.001). The odds ratio for CVF was higher in the low TBS group than in the intermediate and high especially in patients with normal BMD and osteoporosis. The TBS cut-off values for incidence of CVF in the osteoporosis, osteopenia, and normal groups were 1.224, 1.319, and 1.322, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The reference value for low TBS (≤ 1.23) was useful as an indicator for CVF, especially in patients with osteoporosis. It is expected that reference values for TBS will be established in official guidelines in the future.

Identifying vertebral fractures in the Japanese population using the trabecular bone score: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The trabecular bone score (TBS) is reported to be an independent predictor of fracture risk in patients with primary or secondary osteoporosis. However, there have been few reports on its use in the Japanese population. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for vertebral fracture in the Japanese population and to evaluate the usefulness of TBS. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 279 patients aged 60-90 years in whom bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). TBS was calculated based on the DXA scans. The presence or absence of vertebral fractures was assessed from T11 to L5. The patients were divided into those with vertebral fractures (VF group, n = 104) and those without vertebral fractures (non-VF group, n = 175). RESULTS: Of the 104 patients in the VF group, 75 had 1 vertebral fracture and 29 had 2 or more fractures. The mean TBS was 1.28 in the VF group and 1.35 in the non-VF group (p < 0.001). The mean BMD values at the lumbar spine and femoral neck were lower in the VF group (p < 0.001). The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for incidence of vertebral fractures were 0.700, 0.737, and 0.689 for TBS, lumbar spine BMD, and femoral neck BMD, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified lumbar spine BMD, TBS, and female sex as significant risk factors for vertebral fractures. The proportion of patients in the group with osteoporosis or osteopenia who had vertebral fractures was higher in those with a low TBS (≤ 1.23) than in those with a non-low TBS (> 1.23). CONCLUSION: TBS was a significant indicator of vertebral fractures in the Japanese population and might contribute to identifying patients with vertebral fractures, particularly those with osteopenia who need pharmacologic therapy.

Radiographic changes of cervical destructive spondyloarthropathy in long-term hemodialysis patients: A 9-year longitudinal observational study.

Analyses of radiographic changes and clinical symptom of destructive spondyloarthropathy (DSA) on consecutive 42 patients managed with long-term hemodialysis were performed to elucidate radiographic changes of DSA and the factors that influence to the destructive changes. Patients underwent plain radiographs of the cervical spine with 9 years interval. Grading of radiological feature from lateral view was classified into grade 0 to grade 3. Clinical symptom was evaluated using modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system for cervical myelopathy (mJOA score). Destructive changes were observed in 3 patients at the first examination, and those were observed in 15 patients 9 years after the first examination. There is no statistically significant difference between the duration of hemodialysis and the grade. The mean age at the onset of hemodialysis, however, was significantly higher in patients of grade 2 and 3 than those of grade 1. Older patients with long-term hemodialysis had destructive changes. Destructive changes commonly observed in lower cervical spine. The average numbers of the involved disc level were 1.6 in grade 2 and 1.0 in grade 3. Clinical symptoms were varied in each grade and there was no statistically significant difference in total mJOA score among these grades. J. Med. Invest. 64: 68-73, February, 2017.

Life expectancies of Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a review of deaths over a 20-year period.

We investigated trends in life expectancy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, reviewing records for 286 patients (204 female, 82 male) who had died over the past 20 years. The average age at death was 68.8 years before 1990, increasing to 72.1 years after 2001. Trends in disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) saw gold preparations (45.2%) predominate before 1990, sulphydryl donor agents (53.6%) from 1991 to 2000, then methotrexate (43.0%) after 2001. The most common causes of death were infectious diseases up to 1995, rheumatic disease 1996-2000, and cardiovascular events and malignancies after 2001. Major advances in surgical interventions, such as joint replacement surgery, occurred after 1990. Surgical intervention followed by a period of rehabilitation maintained a favourable level of activities of daily living (ADLs), The requirements for favourable life expectancy are control of RA inflammation and maintenance of a favourable level of ADLs. Although recently developed DMARDs and biological agents show promise, caution is required to avoid serious adverse reactions. Optimum care of patients with RA will require preventive measures and early intervention for infections and rheumatic diseases, as well as for lifestyle diseases, osteoporosis and malignancies.

Long-term outcome of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated by multiple arthroplasty.

We conducted a study of 82 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had undergone multiple arthroplasty and investigated their clinical findings and clinical courses. We reviewed the significance of multiple arthroplasty in the treatment of RA, its problems, and measures to solve them. All patients initially regained and maintained good walking capacity. However, the walking capacity of many patients again decreased over the long term; in the tenth year, 79% of patients were capable of a practical gait. The causes of decreased walking capacity included complications of artificial joints, cervical lesions, and vertebral compression fractures. Fractures were observed in as many as nine patients, indicating that it is important to prevent and treat their cause, that is, osteoporosis. The survival rate was 71% in 10 years. In RA patients, particularly those who have undergone multiple arthroplasty, the major causes of death are infection and rheumatic disease, suggesting that prevention of such diseases should be considered paramount. Appropriate systemic treatment of RA, patient education, and measures against osteoporosis for prevention of complications may preserve the worth of multiple arthroplasty for RA patients with multiple joint destruction.