Relationship of Focal Erosions, Bone Mineral Density, and Parathyroid Hormone in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Our results suggest that the presence of bone erosions in RA correlates with low BMD levels and high PTH levels, and that these associations are independent of the degree of functional impairment and other common determinants of bone mass and mineral metabolism in adults with RA. These findings suggest that treatments to prevent bone loss or suppress PTH levels might positively affect the progression of bone erosions in RA.