| Objective To analyze the correlation between muscle mass and bone mass changes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to explore the factors involving in the reduction of muscle mass in SLE patients. Methods Sixty SLE patients and 55 normal controls were selected as subjects, and there were no significant differences in age and sex between the two groups. Two-dimensional bone mineral density (BMD) and 3D volumetric bone density (cortical bone) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and French MEDI-LINK ultrasonic bone densitometer. General data and clinical data of the patients were collected, including gender, age, fracture history, smoking history, history of diabetes, past medical history other than SLE, history of hormone therapy and SLEAI score for SLE disease activity. Results Compared with normal group, bone mass and muscle mass of all body regions in SLE group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The decrease in muscle mass in SLE patients was significantly correlated with the decrease in BMD and total volume bone mineral density (r=0.473, P=0.008 and B=31986.725, P=0.005); whereas the overall muscle mass of SLE patients was not significantly associated with hormone use and SLEDAI score. Conclusion The muscle mass of SLE patients was significantly lower than that of the normal control group, and there was a certain correlation between the changes in muscle mass and BMD. |