High prevalence of fractures, reduced BMD in systemic lupus.(Gynecology)

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who are under the age of 50 have a high rate of fragility fractures, osteoporosis, and poor bone mineral density, according to new research.

And as expected, steroid use was significantly linked to reduced bone mineral density (BMD), reported C-S Yee of the University of Birmingham and colleagues (Ann. Rheum. Dis. 2005;64:111-113).

Although bisphosphonates are the only class of drugs that have shown efficacy in the treatment and prevention of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis, their use in premenopausal women poses serious risks of birth defects in the event of an unplanned pregnancy, noted the authors.

The study included 242 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 231 of whom were female.

Study participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about risk factors for osteoporosis, including details about previous fractures and family history of fractures. There were also asked about drug use and in particular about the use of glucocorticoids, oral contraceptives, hormone therapy, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and bisphosphonates.

Among the women, 126 (54%) were premenopausal, 39 (17%) had experienced premature menopause, and 64 (28%) had experienced normal menopause. The menopausal status of two patients was unknown because they did not fully ...