Bone mineral density, T-score and Z-score in young men with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Abstract

Background: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is term used to classify a group of heterogeneous paediatric rheumatic diseases. Many of these conditions remain active until adulthood. Presences of chronic inflammatory disease together with glucocorticoid treatment are the risk factors of development of osteoporosis in young adult males. Objectives: Aim: to study the bone mineral density (BMD), T-score, Z-score in young adult males with JIA. Methods: The study included 50 adult men aged 19 to 25 years, divided into two groups: I – 25 practically healthy young males; II – 25 young men from different regions of Ukraine with a history of JIA in childhood regardless of the presence or absence of active inflammation at the time of the observation. Two-energy X-ray densitometry (Prodigy, GE Lunar, Madison, USA) was performed on the basis of the Institute of Gerontology, Ukrainian Research Centre of Osteoporosis Prob- lems with analysis of BMD, T- and Z-scores in different skeletal areas. Results: Young men with JIA and healthy individuals did not differ in age, height, weight and BMI. In assessing the number of fractures in patients with JIA were identified 4 patients (16%), while in the control group were no fractures. negative impact of the JIA on the BMD was found in the I group compared with II group. Lumbar spine BMD in I group was lower (p<0.01) than in healthy subjects, as well as the Z-score (p<0.001) in the L1-L4 lumbar spine region. BMD, T-score and Z- score in femoral neck region were lower in I group than in II (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.01 corresponding). Reliable differences between the two groups were found in total body BMD (p<0,001), T-score (p<0.01), Z-score (p<0.05). Patients with JIA had lower (p<0.01) BMD and T-score (p<0.05) in ultradistal area of forearm. Reduction of BMD up to the level of osteopenia (Z-score <2 SD) was found in 5 out of 25 (20%) patients at the level of L1-L4 lumbar spine, in 2 (8%) patients at the level of femoral neck, in 3 (12%) patients at total body and in 2 (8%) patients at the level of ultradistal area of forearm. Conclusions: Young men with JIA aged 19–25 years had reduced total body BMD, T-score, Z-score, which indicates the negative impact of the disease on the bone tissue compared with healthy men of the corresponding age. Disclosure of Interest: None declared