Objective To analyze the correlation between muscle content and the changes of bone mass in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the related factors affecting the muscle content of RA patients. Methods Sixty-six (male: female = 8:25) RA patients were enrolled in the study, with an average age of 60.35 years. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and French MEDI-LINK ultrasound bone densitometry were used to measure the bone mineral density (BMD), 3D volumetric bone mineral density (cortical bone, trabecular bone, and total volume bone density), and muscle content. The patients were divided into normal bone mass group (n=41) and bone mass loss group (n=25) according to T values. General data and clinical data were also collected, including gender, age, fracture history, smoking history, history of diabetes, history of kidney disease, history of thyroid disease, and DSA28 score of RA disease activity. Results Compared with normal RA bone mass group, the muscle content of all parts in patients with RA bone loss group reduced significantly (P<0.05). The decrease in muscle mass was associated with a decrease in BMD (r=0.342, P=0.005) and total volume bone density (r=35022.918, P = 0.000). There was no significant correlation between total muscle mass and the use of hormones and RA disease activity in RA patients. Conclusion Muscle content reduces significantly in RA patients with bone loss. There is a certain correlation between the change of muscle mass and bone mineral density. |