Bone Density Diseases Linked To Disease Duration

Wanted to update you on the findings of a recent study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism. The results of this study linked disease duration and the occurrence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Studies previously done in adults had shown this relationship. This is the first study regarding children on this topic.

The most interesting find is that osteoporosis and osteopenia are more closely associated with disease duration than with cumulative corticosteroid dose. These findings present yet another worry for children suffering from SLE.

For those of you that aren’t familiar- osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become more fragile and can break, while osteopenia is lowered bone density that is not as extreme as osteoporosis

CITATION:
Compeyrot-Lacassagne S, et al. Prevalence and etiology of low bone mineral density in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum 2007;Jun;56(6):1966-73.