Researchers in the Netherlands examined the bone mineral density in patients who were recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis after 1 year of treatment with DMARDS, anti-TNF or corticosteroids. The results were part of the BeSt study which compared four different treatments in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Three hundred and forty two patients were evaluated and there was no difference in bone mineral density between treatment groups. The authors compared those who were given bisphosphonates (drugs designed to prevent bone loss) to patients who were not given bisphosphonates. Patients also taking bisphosphonates (eg: Fosamax, Boniva) had less loss of bone mineral density during the treatment period, despite the type of treatment they received.
This article demonstrates the effectiveness of early treatment in rheumatoid arthritis and use of a bisphosphonate to help decrease bone loss.
Ann Rheum Dis. 2008 Jun;67(6):823-8. Epub 2007 Jul 20.
Researchers in the Netherlands examined the bone mineral density in patients who were recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis after 1 year of treatment with DMARDS, anti-TNF or corticosteroids. The results were part of the BeSt study which compared four different treatments in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Three hundred and forty two patients were evaluated and there was no difference in bone mineral density between treatment groups. The authors compared those who were given bisphosphonates (drugs designed to prevent bone loss) to patients who were not given bisphosphonates. Patients also taking bisphosphonates (eg: Fosamax, Boniva) had less loss of bone mineral density during the treatment period, despite the type of treatment they received.
This article demonstrates the effectiveness of early treatment in rheumatoid arthritis and use of a bisphosphonate to help decrease bone loss.
Ann Rheum Dis. 2008 Jun;67(6):823-8. Epub 2007 Jul 20.
More information on Rheumatoid Arthritis .