Why are rheumatism patients prone to osteoporosis?

There is a type of osteoporosis called secondary osteoporosis.

Rheumatic diseases are a class of diseases involving bones, muscles and their appendages and soft tissues, also known as connective tissue diseases, which include inflammation, pain and dysfunction of joints, muscles, tendons, bones, and blood vessels caused by various causes.

Osteoporosis secondary to rheumatic diseases is mainly caused by rheumatic diseases and treatment drugs:

Steroid use: Long-term use of glucocorticoids (eg, prednisone/prednisolone) leads to bone loss, leading to osteoporosis

Inflammation: People with rheumatoid arthritis have their own immune system that attacks the bones and joints, causing them to become inflamed, resulting in osteoporosis

Lack of exercise: The pain and mobility difficulties of rheumatoid arthritis make it difficult for patients to maintain exercise habits, resulting in osteoporosis

Among them, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis is a very important public health problem.

The incidence of osteoporosis in patients treated with glucocorticoids for more than 6 months is approximately 50% [4]

Osteoporosis is present in up to 91% of rheumatoid patients aged 50 to 70 years with a disease duration of more than 5 years [5]

In the comparison of fracture risk between patients with rheumatoid, ankylosing spondylitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy people, it was found that the risk of fracture in patients with rheumatic diseases increased by 50% to 70% [5]

Foreign research data also show that in patients receiving long-term glucocorticoid therapy, more than 10% were diagnosed as fractures, and 30%-40% were vertebral fractures with radiographic evidence

Low dosage of glucocorticoid does not mean low probability of osteoporosis[1]

Studies have shown that the decrease in bone mineral density caused by oral glucocorticoids occurs rapidly in the first 3 months of treatment and reaches a peak at 6 months, but it will still decrease slowly and steadily with continued use

But don't mention the discoloration of hormones, you should follow the doctor's prescription according to your own situation, and the bones should be healthy if you are sick.

Lifestyle interventions: healthy diet, quitting smoking and drinking, increasing exercise

Drug therapy: strictly control the dosage of glucocorticoids, apply anti-osteoporosis drugs, and other biological agents

Through the above content, I believe you already understand that rheumatic diseases can increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures

Therefore, while treating rheumatic diseases, don't forget to prevent and treat osteoporosis, improve bone health, and prevent fractures