Lupus nephritis and U1-RNP-antibodies are associated with low bone mineral density and osteoporosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: baseline findings in a sub-cohort of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVES

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at higher risk for osteoporosis and fragility fractures. Our study aimed to identify disease-specific factors with impact on bone mineral density (BMD) and the risk of osteoporosis, and to evaluate the effectiveness of DXA-derived 3D femur parameters versus BMD and trabecular bone score (TBS) in discriminating pre-existent fragility fractures.

METHODS

We analyzed baseline data of a consecutive subcohort of patients with SLE with current or past GC treatment, fulfilling the EULAR/ACR 2019 SLE classification criteria. We used multivariable linear and logistic regression models to identify BMD- and osteoporosis-related factors. DXA-derived 3D measurements of the femur were performed with 3D-Shaper software. Discriminatory performance of BMD, TBS and 3D femoral parameters for fragility fractures was assessed by AUC values.

RESULTS

Forty-one percent of 110 patients with SLE had osteoporosis. Lupus nephritis (LN) was present in 35% of cases, with 61% (23/38) of these being predominantly classified as classes IV and V. Factors significantly associated with lower BMD included LN classes III and IV, U1-RNP antibodies, higher C-reactive protein, and longer disease duration. Clinical remission, higher Siglec-1 levels, higher body mass index, and higher health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) scores correlated positively with BMD. Osteoporosis was linked to LN, higher age, HAQ, and complement factor 3 levels. Our findings suggest that 3D bone structure analysis may be helpful in discriminating past vertebral fractures.

CONCLUSION

Disease severity indicated by LN, high CRP, presence of U1-RNP antibodies, and extended disease duration are detrimental to bone health. Moreover, 3D-DXA parameters can be integrated in clinical practise to assess bone health.