Relationship between peripheral and axial osteoporosis and osteoarthrosis

Abstract

The relationship between peripheral and axial osteoporosis and osteoarthrosis was evaluated by a standard radiographic technique, in the hands and in the lumbar spine in 69 females aged 20 to 89 years. A significant correlation was found between the metacarpal osteoporotic index and the vertebral biconcavity index, and between osteoarthrotic changes at the small hand joints and the lumbar spine. The metacarpal osteoporotic index is more sensitive than the vertebral biconcavity index and it falls continuously from the age of 40 years onwards. An age-associated increase in mean osteoarthrotic grading was evident in the small hand joints as well as in the lumbar spine. In defining pathological osteoporosis and osteoarthrosis, age-related changes have to be taken into account. The results suggest that a standard radiograph of the hands provides the clinician with a simple quantitative measurement of the osteoporotic and osteoarthrotic diathesis of the whole skeleton. The relationship between peripheral and axial osteoporosis and osteoarthrosis was evaluated by a standard radiographic technique, in the hands and in the lumbar spine in 69 females aged 20 to 89 years. A significant correlation was found between the metacarpal osteoporotic index and the vertebral biconcavity index, and between osteoarthrotic changes at the small hand joints and the lumbar spine. The metacarpal osteoporotic index is more sensitive than the vertebral biconcavity index and it falls continuously from the age of 40 years onwards. An age-associated increase in mean osteoarthrotic grading was evident in the small hand joints as well as in the lumbar spine. In defining pathological osteoporosis and osteoarthrosis, age-related changes have to be taken into account. The results suggest that a standard radiograph of the hands provides the clinician with a simple quantitative measurement of the osteoporotic and osteoarthrotic diathesis of the whole skeleton.