Assessment of bone mineral density and bone metabolism in young male adults recently diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus in China. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Qinyue; Fan, Ping; Luo, Jing; Wu, Shufang; Sun, Hongzhi; He, Lan; Zhou, Bo
• Is Part Of: Lupus. Volume 26:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 289
• Page End: 293
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Bone metabolism -- bone mineral density -- osteocalcin -- β-crosslaps -- systemic lupus erythematosus; Systemic lupus erythematosus -- Periodicals; 616.772005
• DOI: 10.1177/0961203316664596
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-2033

Abstract

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. However, the exact mechanism underlying SLE-related osteopenia and osteoporosis in patients newly diagnosed with SLE remains unknown. Methods: 60 male subjects with SLE aged 20–30 years were enrolled. Serum osteocalcin was examined as a marker of bone formation and type I collagen degradation products (β-crosslaps) as markers of bone resorption. Lumbar spine (L1-L4) and total hip bone mineral density (BMD) were determined by dual energy X-ray absorption (DXA). Results: Among the 60 subjects with SLE at the time of diagnosis, the cohort showed a significant reduction of osteocalcin (12.62 ± 2.16 ng/mL), and serum β-crosslaps level (992.6 ± 162.6 pg/mL) was markedly elevated. Univariate correlation analyses revealed negative correlations between osteocalcin and SLEDAI, dsDNA antibody and β-crosslaps. A positive correlation was also observed between osteocalcin and C3, C4, 25-OH vitamin D, BMD L1–L4 and BMD total hip (see Table 3). Osteocalcin and β-crosslaps were strongly associated with SLE disease activity by multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Osteocalcin was negatively associated with SLE disease activity, and β-crosslaps was positively associated with SLE disease activity, suggesting SLE disease activity itself directly contributed to the development of SLE-associated osteopenia and osteoporosis.