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Predictors of bone density testing in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

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Abstract

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of low bone density and fractures. This study identifies predictors of initiation of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) testing in RA. We identified RA patients from the CORRONA registry with ≥1 year follow-up without reported DXA at study entry. The primary outcome was report of DXA in the first year of follow-up (DXA initiation). Variables associated with DXA initiation were considered for the multivariate model. Stepwise logistic regression identified independent predictors. Of the 2,717 RA patients without DXA documented at enrollment, 297 (11%) reported DXA initiation. Independent predictors of DXA initiation included age, female sex, history of fracture, steroid use, and physician’s assessment of RA activity. In conclusion, DXA initiation in RA patients in the CORRONA cohort is low despite increased risk of osteoporosis. Predictors of DXA initiation include fracture, common risk factors for osteoporosis, and RA-associated factors.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Allan Gibofsky for his input on the manuscript and Dr. Stephen Paget for his support.

Conflict of interest statement

Dr. J. Aizer received support from a CORRONA Fellowship Award. Dr. G. Reed has a research contract with CORRONA through University of Massachusetts. Dr. M.J. Harrison received support from the Arthritis Foundation, the Mary Kirkland Foundation for Lupus Research, Wyeth, Amgen, Pfizer, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Dr. M.J. Harrison is currently an employee of Wyeth Research. All research presented was conducted prior to her current employment. She received no Wyeth support for this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    J. Aizer

  2. Biostatistics Research Group, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA, USA

    G. Reed & A. Onofrei

  3. Department of Epidemiology, Wyeth Research, Collegeville, PA, USA

    M. J. Harrison

Authors
  1. J. Aizer
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  2. G. Reed
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  3. A. Onofrei
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  4. M. J. Harrison
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Correspondence to J. Aizer.

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Aizer, J., Reed, G., Onofrei, A. et al. Predictors of bone density testing in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int 29, 897–905 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-008-0804-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-008-0804-4

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