Performance of vertebral fracture assessment in addition to dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The Dietary and Non-Dietary Management of Osteoporosis in Adult-Onset Celiac Disease: Current Status and Practical Guidance

Impaired bone mineral density (BMD) is a frequent complication of adult-onset celiac disease (CeD). This is usually due to malabsorption of nutrients, changes in bone metabolism in association with inflammation, and to a lesser extent, decreased overall physical health and mobility. This review aims to highlight the current status concerning surveillance, prevention, and treatment strategies for bone disease in CeD. A practical guidance on these matters is suggested. The available published research on the prevention and treatment of decreased BMD in relation to CeD is scarce. In general, publications were based on expert opinions or extrapolation from studies on postmenopausal women or inflammatory bowel disease. Optimal dietary treatment and an adequate supply of calcium and vitamin D are the cornerstones for the reduction in fracture risk in patients with CeD. In adults with low BMD or fragility fractures, CeD needs to be considered and specifically approached. When osteoporosis is documented, start treatment with an antiresorptive agent; these agents are proven to result in a long-term reduction in fracture risk in high-risk individuals. However, there are some important differences between the management of male and female patients, particularly premenopausal women, that need to be addressed. In patients with persisting diarrhea and malabsorption, parenteral medications may be preferable. Future research specifically focusing on celiac disease and the associated disorders in bone mineralization is mandatory to provide evidence-based recommendations in this field.

Do anti-carbamylated protein antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis reflect local and systemic osteoporosis? A study of osteoprotegrin and receptor activator for nuclear factor kappa B ligand and radiological assessment

Background

One of the most important and dangerous complications of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is bone loss, which manifested by erosions and juxta-articular or systemic bone loss. Anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies which are also called anti-homocitrulline antibodies have recently been found in RA. Increase anti-CarP antibody titres may lead to severe disease and increase the progression of bone loss. Osteoprotegrin and receptor activator for nuclear factor kappa B and its ligand (RANKL) are the main players in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Thus, we aimed to investigate and detect the presence and prevalence of anti-CarP in rheumatoid arthritis and their association with disease severity and osteoporosis, as well as with OPG/RANKL in 80 Egyptian RA patients to highlight this relationship which could be useful in managing RA patients with osteoporosis.

Results

Serum anti-CarP levels were significantly increased in the RA group compared with the control group (P< 0.001). We found a negative association between anti-CarP and anti-CCP and disease activity (r=−0.878, −0.534, respectively, P<0.001). We also found a positive correlation between anti-CarP and the Larsen score, DEXA score, RF, HAQ, and RANKL (r=0.646, 0.287, 0.243, 0.892, 0.671, 0.869 [respectively], P<0.001) and there was negative correlation between anti-CarP and OPG (r=−0.553, P<0.001).

Conclusion

Anti-CarP antibodies are associated with disease severity and disability in RA patients. They could play an important and significant role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in these patients.

Osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an update in epidemiology, pathogenesis, and fracture prevention

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disabling disease characterized by a symmetrical articular involvement due to ongoing joint inflammation, if left insufficiently treated. Local and generalized bone loss is one of the main extra-articular complications of RA and leads to an increased risk for fragility fractures, which further impair functional ability, quality of life, and life expectancy. Therefore, there is an urgent need for good fracture risk management in the vulnerable RA patient.

AREAS COVERED

The authors review: the epidemiology and pathophysiology (i.e. risk factors) of osteoporosis (OP), fracture, and vertebral fracture risk assessment, the effects of anti-rheumatic drugs on bone loss, pharmacological treatment of OP in RA including both bisphosphonates (BP) and newer drugs including anti-resorptives and osteoanabolic treatment options.

EXPERT OPINION

Patients with active RA have elevated bone resorption and local bone loss. Moreover, these patients are at increased risk for generalized bone loss, vertebral and non-vertebral fractures. Since general risk factors (such as low BMI, fall risk) and RA-related factors play a role, optimal fracture prevention in RA patients is based on optimal diagnostics based on both of these factors, and on the use of adequate non-medical and medical treatment options.

Pharmacological Management of Osteoporosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Review of the Literature and Practical Guide

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disabling disease that is associated with increased localized and generalized osteoporosis (OP). Previous studies estimated that approximately one-third of the RA population experience bone loss. Moreover, RA patients suffer from a doubled fracture incidence depending on several clinical factors, such as disease severity, age, glucocorticoid (GC) use, and immobility. As OP fractures are related to impaired quality of life and increased mortality rates, OP has an enormous impact on global health status. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a holistic approach in daily clinical practice. In other words, both OP- and RA-related factors should be taken into account in treatment guidelines for OP in RA. First, to determine the actual fracture risk, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), including vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) and calculation of the 10-year fracture risk with FRAX^®, should be performed. In case of high fracture risk, calcium and vitamin D should be supplemented alongside anti-osteoporotic treatment. Importantly, RA treatment should be optimal, aiming at low disease activity or remission. Moreover, GC treatment should be at the lowest possible dose. In this way, good fracture risk management will lead to fracture risk reduction in RA patients. This review provides a practical guide for clinicians regarding pharmacological treatment options in RA patients with OP, taking into account both osteoporotic-related factors and factors related to RA.

Study of vertebral fracture and Scanographic Bone Attenuation Coefficient in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis vs. controls

The objective of this study is to identify the prevalence of vertebral fractures (VFs) and to measure the scanographic bone attenuation coefficient of the first lumbar vertebra (SBAC-L1) based CT-scan, a biomarker of bone fragility in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and in a control group. This monocentric and retrospective study included patients with RA and AS, based on ACR/EULAR or New-York criteria, respectively. A control group was constituted. All of the patients received a CT-scan. VFs were determined via CT-scans according to the Genant classification, and the SBAC-L1 was measured in Hounsfield units (HU). SBAC-L1 ≤145 HU (fracture threshold) defined patients at risk of VFs. 244 patients were included (105 RA, 83 AS, 56 controls). Of the 4.365 vertebrae studied, 66 osteoporotic VFs were found in 36 patients: 18 (17.1%) RA, 13 (15.7%) AS and 5 (8.9%) controls. The mean SBAC-L1 was 142.2 (±48.4) HU for RA, 142.8 (±48.2) for AS, both of which were significantly lower than that of the control group (161.8 (±42.7) HU). Of the 36 patients with VFs and rheumatism, 28% had a T-score ≤-2.5 SD and 71.4% a SBAC-L1 ≤145 HU. A T-score ≤-2.5 SD and a SBAC-L1 ≤145 HU were associated with VF (OR = 3.07 (CI 95%: 1.07; 8.81), and 2.31 (CI 95%: 1.06; 5.06)), respectively. The SBAC-L1 was significantly lower in the RA and AS groups than in the control group. Furthermore, SBAC-L1 ≤145 HU was associated with a higher risk of VFs, with an odds ratio similar to that of a DXA.

Critical issues and current challenges in osteoporosis and fracture prevention. An overview of unmet needs

Osteoporosis is a silent disease with increasing prevalence due to the global ageing population. Decreased bone strength and bone quality is the hallmark of osteoporosis which leads to an increased risk of fragility fractures in elderly. It has been estimated that approximately ~50% of women will suffer during their lifetime from an osteoporotic fracture. This must be considered as a major health concern, as it has previously been established that fragility fracture has been associated with decreased quality of life due to increased disability, more frequent hospital admission and most importantly, osteoporotic fractures have been related to an augmented mortality risk. Anti-osteoporotic drugs are available for improving bone quality. Although there is access to these therapeutic options, there remain multiple unmet needs in the field of osteoporosis and fracture care, for example, the primary prevention of osteoporosis in young individuals (to reach a high peak bone mass), the optimization of the use of imaging techniques [dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) and new techniques measuring bone quality], the use of nonmedical treatment options and surgical techniques of fracture healing. In this review, we will discuss topics that play a role in the occurrence and prevention of fractures, and we give an overview of and insight into the critical issues and challenges around osteoporosis and fracture prevention.

Evaluating and mitigating fracture risk in established rheumatoid arthritis

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are predisposed to systemic bone loss, and they are at an increased risk of fractures. Although there are similarities in the patient demographics between rheumatoid arthritis patients and the general population of osteoporosis patients, there are factors, particularly the use of glucocorticoids, which are specific to rheumatoid arthritis. These factors can lead to an increased risk of bone loss and fracture. Given that fractures are often very debilitating, especially in elderly patients, it is of paramount importance for the practicing rheumatologist to be aware of ways to reduce the risk of fracture in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This review discusses currently available modalities for fracture risk assessment as well as pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions available to treat and prevent bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Management of osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients

INTRODUCTION

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, the risk of both vertebral and non-vertebral fractures is roughly doubled, which is for an important part caused by inflammation-mediated amplification of bone loss and by immobilization. New treatments have become available in the last two decades to treat both RA and osteoporosis.

AREAS COVERED

Epidemiology and assessment of osteoporosis and fracture risk (including the influence of RA disease activity and bone-influencing medications such as glucocorticoids), the importance of vertebral fracture assessment in addition to bone density measurement in patients with RA, the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and their effects on generalized bone loss, and current and possible future anti-osteoporotic pharmacotherapeutic options are discussed with special focus on RA.

EXPERT OPINION

Assessment of osteoporosis in RA patients should include evaluation of the effects of disease activity and bone-influencing medications such as (the dose of) glucocorticoids, above standard risk factors for fractures or osteoporosis as defined by the FRAX instrument. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are now well able to control disease activity using treat to target strategies. This lowering of disease activity by antirheumatic medications such as anti-TNF-α results in hampering of generalized bone loss; however, no fracture data are currently available. When treating osteoporosis in RA patients, additional focus should be on calcium supplementation, particularly in glucocorticoid users, and also on sufficient vitamin D use. Several anti-osteoporotic medications are now on the market; oral bisphosphonates are most commonly used, but in recent years, more agents have entered the market such as the parenteral antiresorptives denosumab (twice yearly) and zoledronic acid (once yearly), and the anabolic agent parathyroid hormone analogues. New agents, such as odanacatib and monoclonal antibodies against sclerostin, are now being tested and will most likely enlarge the possibilities of osteoporosis treatment in RA patients.