Objective To analyze the positive rate of osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Bone mineral density (BMD) data of RA patients examined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in Nanjing General Hospital in the past 3 years were retrospectively analyzed. The site measured using DXA included lumbar spine L1-4, left femoral neck and left hip. Osteoporosis was diagnosed using the lowest value of T and Z scores. The results were compared with the population attended physical examination during the same period. The detection rates of normal bone density, low bone mass, osteoporosis and severe osteoporosis in the two groups were counted, BMD data of each test site were compared between the two groups, and the characteristics of BMD with age were analyzed in the two groups. Results There were 427 RA patients, 40.7% (174/427) with normal bone density, 34.0% (145/427) with low bone mass, 19.7% (84/427) with osteoporosis, and 5.6% (24/427) with severe osteoporosis. There were 1343 people in the control group, 57.6% (773/1343) with normal bone density, 34.0% (456/1343) with low bone mass, 7.6% (102/1343) with osteoporosis, and 0.9% (12/1343) with severe osteoporosis. In the χ2 test, the distribution of BMD in the two groups was different, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 97.673, P = 4.918E-21). The BMD abnormal rate in RA group was significantly higher than that in the control group (χ2 = 36.794, P = 1.313 E-9). BMD of lumbar spine L1-4, left femoral neck and left hip in RA group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant. This phenomenon was especially significant among RA patients aged between 40 and 79 years. With the increase of age, compared with the control group, the decline in BMD of left femoral neck and left hip in RA patients aged over 40 years was particularly significant. Conclusion The positive rate of osteoporosis in RA patients is very high, and the decrease of BMD in RA patients aged over 40 years is particularly evident with increase in age. DXA examination should be performed as early as possible, and regular follow-up should be performed to prevent and control OP and its complications. |