ISSN:
1434-9949
Keywords:
Bone Mineral Content
;
Calcium Metabolism
;
Prednisone
;
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The bone mineral content (BMC) in both forearms (highly correlated to total body calcium) was measured by photon absorptiometry in a representative sample of rheumatoid arthritis outpatients comprising 129 patients treated with either gold salts (n=29), penicillamine (n=61), prednisone (n=24), or other anti-RA drugs (n=15). The mean BMC value was 84% of normal (p〈0.001) with the lowest mean value in the group treated with prednisone (73% of normal). The patients as a group had hypocalcaemia (p〈0.001), raised serum alkaline phosphatase (p〈0.001), and normal urinary excretion rates of calcium and hydroxyproline. These results indicate that RA patients have disturbances in their calcium and bone metabolism.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02030755
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