WOMEN with rheumatoid arthritis as twice as likely to sustain spinal fractures, a Geelong region study by Deakin University has found.
The eight-year study investigated 173,000 women over the age of 35, more than 1000 of whom had clinically-diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis. It found sufferers were more likely to sustain fracture to the hip and wrist as well.
Oddly, however, the fractures were not necessarily near the sites affected by the arthritis; usually hands, feet, fingers and toes.
Deakin researcher Dr Sharon Brennan, head of the Social Epidemiology Research Group within Deakin’s Epi-Centre for Healthy Ageing, said the greater fracture risk was a mystery.
Causes, however, could be systemic factors associated with rheumatoid arthritis disease activity or duration, she suggested.
People with rheumatoid arthritis could also be less likely to be physically active, weakening their musculoskeletal system and increasing the chance of falls and fractures.
“Localised bone erosion around the joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis may have less influence on fracture risk than reduced bone density,” Dr Brennan said.
“In order to reduce fracture risk, women with rheumatoid arthritis may be a suitable target population for anti-resorptive agents (drugs that decrease bone breakdown).
“This therapy is more commonly prescribed to patients with osteoporosis.”
Both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis are more prevalent in females. Dr Brennan’s research unit is undertaking further studies into the role of inflammatory biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis and bone fragility for both sexes.
Others in the study team include Geelong Osteoporosis Study Fracture Grid director Professor Julie Pasco, Associate Professors Mark Kotowicz and Margaret Henry, Dr Hedley Griffiths and Leisje Toomey/Brice.
_ NOEL MURPHY
