Baseline new bone formation does not predict bone loss in ankylosing spondylitis as assessed by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) - 10-year follow-up
2011

Bone Loss and New Bone Formation in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Sample size: 15 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Korkosz Mariusz, Gąsowski Jerzy, Grzanka Piotr, Gorczowski Janusz, Pluskiewicz Wojciech, Jeka Sławomir, Grodzicki Tomasz

Primary Institution: Jagiellonian University

Hypothesis

Does baseline new bone formation predict bone loss in ankylosing spondylitis over a 10-year period?

Conclusion

In ankylosing spondylitis patients not using antiosteoporotic therapy, spine trabecular bone density decreased over 10 years and was not related to baseline radiological severity.

Supporting Evidence

  • Bone mineral content decreased significantly over 10 years as measured by QCT.
  • Baseline radiological severity did not predict the progression of bone loss.
  • Patients with advanced radiological scores had lower bone mineral content at both baseline and follow-up.

Takeaway

This study found that in people with a certain type of back disease, the amount of bone loss over 10 years didn't depend on how much new bone had formed at the start.

Methodology

Fifteen ankylosing spondylitis patients underwent X-ray, DXA, and QCT measurements at baseline and after 10 years.

Potential Biases

The influence of NSAIDs on syndesmophyte growth and the difficulty in separating disease effects from aging may introduce bias.

Limitations

The sample size was relatively low, which limited the statistical analysis and the ability to control for confounding factors.

Participant Demographics

The study included 15 male patients with a mean age of 45.6 years and an average disease duration of 16.5 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p = 0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2474-12-121

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