Bone Density Change in Postmenopausal Rheumatoid Arthritis

NCT07336693 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IstanbulUC-BCetin-03
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 82
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with systemic inflammation-mediated bone loss, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures, particularly in postmenopausal patients. Although disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs may help mitigate bone loss, comparative longitudinal data on different treatment strategies remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate changes in bone mineral density over time and assess the impact of conventional synthetic and biologic DMARDs, together with anti-osteoporotic therapy, on bone health.

Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA); Osteoporosis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Bone Mineral Density

  For each patient, the absolute values and changes in BMD between the two DXA time points for the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total femur were recorded.

  1-2 years

Study Arms (1)

Postmenopausal Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Postmenopausal women with a confirmed diagnosis of RA were identified. Postmenopause was defined as ≥12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea or a prior bilateral oophorectomy; women receiving hormone replacement therapy who fulfilled these criteria were also considered postmenopausal.

Diagnostic Test: Bone Density Test

Interventions

Bone Density Test DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

BMD values were obtained from DXA scans performed at the lumbar spine (L1-L4), femoral neck, and total femur. All DXA measurements were conducted at the Department of Nuclear Medicine using the same device, a Hologic QDR 4500SL (S/N 45624, Bedford, MA), to ensure methodological consistency. Reference values were based on the NHANES III.

Postmenopausal Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This retrospective study was conducted using patient data obtained from the electronic medical records of a university hospital over the past five years.

You may qualify if:

• Postmenopausal women with a confirmed diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis

You may not qualify if:

• Concomitant inflammatory rheumatic diseases other than RA
• History of malignancy
• Uncontrolled or untreated endocrine or metabolic disorders affecting bone metabolism, such as primary hyperparathyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, severe renal failure, severe hepatic failure
• Incomplete medical records or missing data

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa (IUC)

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Joffe I, Epstein S. Osteoporosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis: pathogenesis and management. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 1991 Feb;20(4):256-72. doi: 10.1016/0049-0172(91)90021-q.

  PMID: 2042057 BACKGROUND

• Theander L, Willim M, Nilsson JA, Karlsson M, Akesson KE, Jacobsson LTH, Turesson C. Changes in bone mineral density over 10 years in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. RMD Open. 2020 Feb;6(1):e001142. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2019-001142.

  PMID: 32519976 BACKGROUND

• Kroot EJ, Nieuwenhuizen MG, de Waal Malefijt MC, van Riel PL, Pasker-de Jong PC, Laan RF. Change in bone mineral density in patients with rheumatoid arthritis during the first decade of the disease. Arthritis Rheum. 2001 Jun;44(6):1254-60. doi: 10.1002/1529-0131(200106)44:63.0.CO;2-G.

  PMID: 11407683 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Osteoporosis

Interventions

Bone Density

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Connective Tissue Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Bone Diseases, Metabolic; Bone Diseases; Metabolic Diseases; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 2, 2026
• First Posted: January 13, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 1, 2025
• Study Completion: December 1, 2025
• Last Updated: January 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

TU (1)