The risk of fracture and prevalence of osteoporosis is elevated in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: cross-sectional study from a single Hungarian center

Reduced bone mineral density in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: a case-control study

Background

Patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are at risk of reduced bone mineral density (BMD).

Objectives

To compare the prevalence of reduced BMD between patients with IIMs and controls and to determine its risk factors.

Design

This was a single-center case-control study.

Methods

BMD was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The prevalence of reduced BMD in IIM patients and age-and sex-matched non-rheumatological controls was compared. The BMD results of female IIM were also compared to age-matched female rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Independent factors associated with reduced BMD in IIM patients were identified by multivariate analyses.

Results

A total of 230 patients (IIM: 65, non-rheumatological controls: 65, RA: 50, SLE: 50) were recruited. The mean age of IIM patients was 58.6 ± 11.0 years and 76.9% were females. Significantly, more IIM patients had reduced BMD (73.8% versus 43.1%, p = 0.043) and osteoporosis (29.2% versus 13.8%, p = 0.033) than non-rheumatological controls. Multivariate analysis confirmed that IIM was independently associated with reduced BMD (OR: 2.12, p = 0.048, 95% CI: 1.01-4.46). The prevalence of reduced BMD was not significantly different between IIM, RA, and SLE patients but the mean hip BMD was the lowest in the IIM group (0.641 ± 0.152 g/cm²versus 0.663 ± 0.102g/cm² in the RA group versus 0.708 ± 0.132 g/cm² in the SLE group, p = 0.035). Lower body mass index and more advanced age were independently associated with lower BMD in IIM patients.

Conclusion

Reduced BMD was more prevalent in IIM patients than in non-rheumatological controls. Hip BMD was lower in patients with IIMs than RA or SLE. Close monitoring and early treatment are encouraged especially in patients with risk factors.

A machine learning analysis to evaluate the outcome measures in inflammatory myopathies

OBJECTIVE

To assess the long-term outcome in patients with Inflammatory Idiopathic Myopathies (IIM), focusing on damage and activity disease indexes using artificial intelligence (AI).

BACKGROUND

IIM are a group of rare diseases characterized by involvement of different organs in addition to the musculoskeletal. Machine Learning analyses large amounts of information, using different algorithms, decision-making processes, self-learning neural networks.

METHODS

We evaluate the long-term outcome of 103 patients with IIM, diagnosed on 2017 EULAR/ACR criteria. We considered different parameters, including clinical manifestations and organ involvement, number and type of treatments, serum creatine kinase levels, muscle strength (MMT8 score), disease activity (MITAX score), disability (HAQ-DI score), disease damage (MDI score), and physician and patient global assessment (PGA). The data collected were analysed, applying, with R, supervised ML algorithms such as lasso, ridge, elastic net, classification, and regression trees (CART), random forest and support vector machines (SVM) to find the factors that best predict disease outcome.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Using artificial intelligence algorithms we identified the parameters that best correlate with the disease outcome in IIM. The best result was on MMT8 at follow-up, predicted by a CART regression tree algorithm. MITAX was predicted based on clinical features such as the presence of RP-ILD and skin involvement. A good predictive capacity was also demonstrated on damage scores: MDI and HAQ-DI. In the future Machine Learning will allow us to identify the strengths or weaknesses of the composite disease activity and damage scores, to validate new criteria or to implement classification criteria.

Glucocorticoids in Myositis: Initiation, Tapering, and Discontinuation

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

We discuss the evidence behind the use of glucocorticoids in myositis including a discussion of mechanism of action, dosing, tapering, and duration of therapy as well as glucocorticoid-related adverse events that are particularly important in myositis patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies showing reduction in mortality rates after the use of glucocorticoids, better outcomes in patients treated with glucocorticoids compared to those who did not, and reduction of inflammation in muscle biopsies provide low level evidence to support use of glucocorticoids in myositis. Early initiation of therapy is associated with better functional outcomes. Use of intravenous methylprednisolone in patients with severe disease may lead to quicker recovery and reduction in long-term glucocorticoid exposure. Steroid-related myopathy and osteoporosis are glucocorticoid side effects that are particularly relevant in myositis. The optimal dose and duration of glucocorticoid therapy in myositis currently remain elusive, and this review emphasizes the need for better quality studies in this area.

Bone Health in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies: Diagnosis and Management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article provides an update on the most recent advances in epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic approaches for myositis-associated bone diseases, such as osteoporosis and bone fractures.

RECENT FINDINGS

In the recent years, several studies showed that osteoporosis and consequent fractures are a common and frequently underestimated complication in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). In younger patients, asymptomatic fractures might present in the early phase of the disease which could increase the risk of development of further fractures. High-risk patients could be selected with early application of combined diagnostic procedures, such as fracture risk scores with steroid dose adjustments and imaging. Recent advances might help clinicians from different fields of medicine in the early recognition and management of myositis-associated osteoporosis, which will potentially improve the quality of life of patients with IIM.

Osteopenia/osteoporosis develops in the early phase of disease in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

Objective: To study the relationship between different disease-related variables and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs).Method: Demographic and clinical data were retrospectively collected from the medical records of all patients diagnosed with IIMs during 2003-2018 in the Rheumatology Department, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. BMD measurements by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were compared among three patient groups categorized according to the time when DXA was performed in relation to the diagnosis: during the first month, 2-6 months, and 7-24 months after diagnosis.Results: In total, 48 patients were included in the study. BMD correlated positively with body mass index and the presence of myositis-specific autoantibodies. As expected, age and diseases duration had negative associations with BMD. Importantly, osteopenia and osteoporosis were significantly more common in patients who underwent DXA at later time-points of the disease than in those who underwent DXA during the first month after diagnosis.Conclusions: Reduced BMD is common in patients with IIMs. The development of osteopenia/osteoporosis starts in the early phase of myositis (within 6 months), and immediate osteoporosis prophylaxis at diagnosis is necessary.

Bone health in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

OBJECTIVE

To review the extant literature relating to bone health in the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) including both adult and juvenile patients.

METHODS

A PubMed search® identified relevant studies from 1966 to 2020 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Two independent reviewers screened and extracted the abstracts/full manuscripts, and a third author was consulted in the case of disagreement.

RESULTS

We identified 37 articles (3 review articles, 2 RCTs, 9 cross-sectional, 16 cohort and 7 case-control studies). The prevalence of osteopenia (n = 7) ranges from 7 to 75% and osteoporosis (n = 7) between 13% to 27%. The prevalence of vertebral fractures ranged from 11 to 75%. Systemic inflammation likely contributes to reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in children with IIM but data is currently lacking in adult patients. Association between with impaired BMD and Vitamin D or calcium intake and physical activity has not been demonstrated in IIM. There is no clear consensus regarding the impact of age, menopause or BMI on bone health. Gender, smoking status, disease activity and inflammatory markers are not obvious independent predictors of low BMD. Several studies have demonstrated that glucocorticoids are associated with an increased risk of low BMD. There are no specific guidelines relating to the management of bone health in adult and juvenile patients with IIM.

CONCLUSION

Both adult and juvenile patients with IIM are at high risk of impaired bone health and fracture. The mechanisms behind this are likely multifactorial including systemic inflammation, glucocorticoid treatment, reduced mobility and impaired calcium/vitamin D homeostasis. There are a lack of guidelines and studies relating to the screening, prevention and treatment of impaired bone health in adult and juvenile patients with IIM. Future research is required to understand the complexity of bone health in IIM including to develop much needed disease-specific management recommendations.

Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis: The Potential Role of Romosozumab

Glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is a major problem in patients with rheumatic diseases. The deleterious effect of GC on bone turnover is rapid and dose-dependent, with a predilection on the trabecular bone, resulting in vertebral fractures. Early recognition and prompt treatment of GIOP helps prevent bone loss and reduce fractures. There are pitfalls in current assessment tools for GIOP by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) estimation formula. In this review, we evaluate different assessment methods for GIOP and summarize current therapies of GIOP, including the antiresorptive and anabolic agents. The potential role of newer anti-osteoporosis agent romosozumab, an anti-sclerostin monoclonal antibody, is also discussed.