OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether hand bone mineral content (BMC) measurement is an outcome measure for RA and whether the early changes in hand BMC predict functional disability. METHODS: Tender and swollen joints in hands and body, HAQ score, Larsen score on hand radiographs, serum CRP, and hand BMC measurement by DXA were studied every six months for five years in 40 patients with early RA. At the final visit, patients completed the SF-36 and Duruoz hand function questionnaires. RESULTS: All patients completed two years and 29 completed five years' follow up. Hand BMC worsened over the first three years (percentage loss from baseline: mean (SD) -5.5 (7.2), -7.5 (8.4), -9.8 (9.4)) and stabilised over last two years (-9.9 (8.8), -10 (7.8)). Baseline disease activity and function correlated with hand BMC loss at five years (swollen joints in hands: r=-0.38, p=0.043; swollen joints in body: r=-0.47, p=0.01; HAQ: r=-0.52, p=0.004). Percentage change in hand BMC over five years correlated with SF-36 physical function (r=0.61, p<0.01), hand function (r=-0.64, p<0.01), HAQ score (r=-0.63, p<0.01) at five years. Relative risk of bad hand functional outcome at five years was significantly higher for patients with hand BMC loss of >/=1.17 g (smallest detectable difference) than for patients with less bone loss within the first six months (OR=6.9, 95% CI 1.3 to 34.5, p<0.02). CONCLUSION: Early loss of hand BMC in patients with RA is a composite marker of disease activity and functional status and can predict poor functional outcome.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether hand bone mineral content (BMC) measurement is an outcome measure for RA and whether the early changes in hand BMC predict functional disability. METHODS: Tender and swollen joints in hands and body, HAQ score, Larsen score on hand radiographs, serum CRP, and hand BMC measurement by DXA were studied every six months for five years in 40 patients with early RA. At the final visit, patients completed the SF-36 and Duruoz hand function questionnaires. RESULTS: All patients completed two years and 29 completed five years' follow up. Hand BMC worsened over the first three years (percentage loss from baseline: mean (SD) -5.5 (7.2), -7.5 (8.4), -9.8 (9.4)) and stabilised over last two years (-9.9 (8.8), -10 (7.8)). Baseline disease activity and function correlated with hand BMC loss at five years (swollen joints in hands: r=-0.38, p=0.043; swollen joints in body: r=-0.47, p=0.01; HAQ: r=-0.52, p=0.004). Percentage change in hand BMC over five years correlated with SF-36 physical function (r=0.61, p<0.01), hand function (r=-0.64, p<0.01), HAQ score (r=-0.63, p<0.01) at five years. Relative risk of bad hand functional outcome at five years was significantly higher for patients with hand BMC loss of >/=1.17 g (smallest detectable difference) than for patients with less bone loss within the first six months (OR=6.9, 95% CI 1.3 to 34.5, p<0.02). CONCLUSION: Early loss of hand BMC in patients with RA is a composite marker of disease activity and functional status and can predict poor functional outcome.
Authors: L Naumann; K-G A Hermann; D Huscher; K Lenz; G-R Burmester; M Backhaus; F Buttgereit Journal: Osteoporos Int Date: 2012-02-18 Impact factor: 4.507
Authors: G Haugeberg; M J Green; M A Quinn; H Marzo-Ortega; S Proudman; Z Karim; R J Wakefield; P G Conaghan; S Stewart; P Emery Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2005-11-10 Impact factor: 19.103
Authors: Melek Güler-Yüksel; Naomi B Klarenbeek; Yvonne P M Goekoop-Ruiterman; Jeska K de Vries-Bouwstra; Sjoerd M van der Kooij; Andreas H Gerards; H Karel Ronday; Tom W J Huizinga; Ben A C Dijkmans; Cornelia F Allaart; Willem F Lems Journal: Arthritis Res Ther Date: 2010-05-20 Impact factor: 5.156
Authors: Stephen R Pye; Judith E Adams; Kate A Ward; Diane K Bunn; Deborah P M Symmons; Terence W O'Neill Journal: Rheumatology (Oxford) Date: 2010-06-23 Impact factor: 7.580
Authors: Glenn Haugeberg; Michael J Green; Philip G Conaghan; Mark Quinn; Richard Wakefield; Susanna M Proudman; Sheena Stewart; Elizabeth Hensor; Paul Emery Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2007-05-09 Impact factor: 19.103