PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Shanze Ashai
AU  - Nicholas C Harvey
TI  - Rheumatoid arthritis and bone health
AID  - 10.7861/clinmed.20.6.rabh
DP  - 2020 Nov 01
TA  - Clinical Medicine
PG  - 565--567
VI  - 20
IP  - 6
4099  - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/20/6/565.short
4100  - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/20/6/565.full
SO  - Clin Med2020 Nov 01; 20
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory arthropathy affecting 1% of the population, with a female predominance. Systemic inflammation is a key component of RA disease; corticosteroids are often required to rapidly control disease activity. Both inflammation and corticosteroids, however, have an adverse effect on bone mineral density, potentially resulting in osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures. In this article, we describe the link between RA and impaired bone health, together with appropriate strategies to maintain bone density and reduce fracture risk. Key approaches include achieving adequate control of inflammation, minimising corticosteroid use, monitoring bone mineral density and intervening with antiosteoporosis medications when indicated.