Management of osteoporosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

Abstract

Mechanism of generalized osteoporosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is multifactorial and following factors has been proposed:systemic effect of RA synovitis, glucocorticoids, weight loss, and endocrine changes. In addition to control of RA inflammation and management of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis(GIO), antiresorptive therapy, such as bisphosphonates is expected to show efficacy. Recently, anti-RANKL monoclonal antibodies have been shown to inhibit bone erosion and bone loss in combination with methotrexate in RA. GC-induced bone loss is most rapid during the initial 3 ~ 6 months and more slowly thereafter. Therefore, both primary and secondary prevention are important. The Japanese Society for Bone and Mineral Research(JSBMR)has updated the Guidelines on the Management and Treatment of GIO and has incorporated a new scoring method. By analyzing five GIO cohorts from primary and secondary prevention studies, age, GC dose, lumbar BMD, and prior fragility fractures were identified as risk factors and the fracture risk for an individual can be calculated as the sum of the scores for each risk factor. Pharmacological intervention should be started on the basis of a score of 3 as the optimal cut-off score. Both alendronate and risedronate are recommended as first-line treatment. Ibandronate,teriparatide, and active vitamin D3 derivatives are recommended as alternative option.