Systematic Reviews
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2015.
World J Orthop. Mar 18, 2015; 6(2): 298-310
Published online Mar 18, 2015. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v6.i2.298
Table 1 Summary of the cross sectional studies
Ref.Sample size(M/F)Mean age(yr)Menopausal status pre:postDiseaseduration (yr)DXAmachineDexa site (coefficientvariation %, if available)OutcomeConclusion
Devogelaer et al[19]AS: 70 (60/10)3910:015.4NovoSPA: non dominant radius DXA: L2-4 QCT: 10 patients LSDXA values at LS was decreased in the male VF: 2.9%In patients with severe AS, DXA demonstrates normal values due to new bone formation
Donnelly et al[42]SpA: 87 (62/25) AS: 82.5% PsA: 8%M: 43.5 F: 44.8NMM: 16.3 F: 16.6HologicL1-4 (0.7), FN (1.5), whole bodyAS: in early disease LS-BMD decreased, in advanced AS increased Lumbar Spine density lower in M than F VF 10.3%DXA is doubtful to truly reflect the state of demineralization in the spine and more emphasis should be placed on measures on FN-BMD
Mullaji et al[43]AS: 33 (27/6): Mild: 22 (16/6) Adv: 11 (11/0)32.30:6M: Mild: 8.7 Adv: 11.7 F: Mild: 6.8NorlandWhole bodyLS BMD lower in mild and higher in advanced AS than C In Adv. AS, LS BMD higher than mild AS and C HLA-B27: 100% LS, FN and leg BMD decreased in mild AS compared with C in menThe relation between BMD and severity of disease in the axial skeleton may help to explain the etiology and pathogenesis of the spinal deformities and complications of this disabling condition
Singh et al[44]AS: 14 (14/0)50NANMHologicAP L1-4, non dominant hipFT BMD lower than LS Osteopenia at FN: 64%, LS: 36%Femoral measurements of BMD are superior to lumbar measurements in the detection of osteopenia in patients with AS
Acebes et al[51]AS: 18 (16/2)44.7NM10.3HologicL2-4, FNM: OP 0% osteopenia: 53.8% F: OP and Osteopenia 0% HLA-B27: 100%Osteopenia in AS occurs as a result of high resorption of bone with normal formation
Meirelles et al[50]AS: 30 (27/3)373:017HologicL1-4, PFLS openia: 23% OP: 27% FT: openia: 55% OP: 31% AS has lower BMD at LS and proximal femur than CBone mass loss in AS is better evaluated in the proximal femur, because of almost free of artifacts
Juanola et al[52]AS: 18 (0/18)36.718:015.1HologicL2-4 (0.5), FN (1)HLA-B27: 94.4% OP: 5.6%, Osteopenia: 11.1% VF: 5.6%Slight reduction in BMD in premenopausal women with early AS, but the difference was not statistically significant
Mitra et al[3]AS: 66 (66/0)37.8NA9.9HologicL1-4 (1.4), FN (2.9)In patients with AS, BMD and T scores were reduced in both LS and FN VF: 16.7% in AS, 2.6% in CAS patients with mild disease had higher risk of VF compared with the normal population and this increased with the duration of disease
Borman et al[53]AS: 32 (32/0)39.1NA14.8HologicLat L1-4 (2.7)L1-4 T score and BMD similar among AS and C BMD was similar among active and inactive AS VF: 31.2% Osteopenia: 34.3% in AS, 21.8% in C OP: 34.3% in AS, 6.2% in CThe incidence of osteoporosis is high in AS and patients with active disease are have risk for developing osteoporosis
Dos Santos et al[54]AS: 39 (39/0)37.6NA8.4HologicWhole bodyHLA-B27 79.5% AS had bone loss at spine compared with control group 46% of patients with AS had Z score < –1.5 SDAS is associated with bone loss, mainly concerning the lumbar spine, in patients whose disease is biologically most active
Toussirot et al[13]AS: 71 (49/22)39.122:010.6LunarL2-4 (1), left FN (1.5)HLA-B27: 84.5 AS: Lumbar osteopenia: 32.4%, OP: 14.1% higher than C Femur: osteopenia: 22.5%, OP: 14.1% higher than C Good correlation between lumbar, femur, total BMD with QUSAS has decreased lumbar, hip and total body BMD but soft tissue composition was not involved in disease process
Grisar et al[55]AS: 30 (22/8) PsA: 23 (17/6) ReA: 10 (5/5)AS: 44.2 PsA: 45.2 ReA: 47.8NMAS: 9.2 PsA: 10.4 ReA: 1.3HologicLS and non dominant hipAS; OP 47%
Speden et al[7]AS: 66 (0/66)43.450:1621.1HologicPA L1-4 (1), non-dominant hip (1.8) and Whole body (0.82)Hip and whole body BMD reduced in AS Femoral neck OP: 6%, osteopenia: 52% in AS and higher than control Lumbar OP: 8%, osteopenia: 18% in ASWomen with AS have lower hip BMD without correlation with disease duration suggesting that low BMD is an early feature of disease
Capaci et al[56]AS: 73 (49/24)37.3NM11.8HologicL1-4, FTL BMD similar in mild and advanced AS, F BMD lower in advanced AS In advanced AS osteopenia or OP higher in the total hip than mild AS VF: 5.5% LS Osteopenia or OP: 68.4%-54.3% PF osteopenia or OP: 51.9-91.7 (mild-advanced)Syndesmophytes and ligament calcification may mask bone loss in LS therefore hip BMD more convenient to asses OP in AS
Jansen et al[14]AS: 50 (35/15)52NM21Hologic or LunarAP LS, FNHLA-B27: 88% VF LS: 6% LS openia: 54% OP: 15% FN openia: 72% OP: 20% and 70% of them correctly diagnosed with QUSThe performance of QUS is similar to DEXA in finding patients with osteoporosis-associated fractures Both osteoporosis and fractures are common sequel in AS
Obermayer-Pietsch et al[16]AS: 104 (71/33)4133:015Hologic or LunarLS (2.2-0.9), PF (2-1.6) QCT (1)HLA-B27: 19%-93% OP: 25% In male AS patients FokI genotypes were independent predictors of low BMDVitamin D receptor gene may be involved in BMD differences, bone metabolism and inflammatory processes in ankylosing spondylitis
Baek et al[47]AS: 76 (76/0) mild AS: 59.2% severe AS: 40.8%28.1NA9.4LunarL2-4, PFBMD and T score at FN and FT lower in severe AS than mild AS but not at LS Osteopenia: 48% in mild AS (more frequently at LS than proximal Femur) and 31% in severe ASOsteopenia is frequently observed in both severe and mild AS with little mobility limitation Both BMD in severe disease are lower than in mild disease at the FT but not in the lumbar spine, probably due in part to progressing paravertebral calcification during the course of AS
Gilgil et al[48]AS: 20 (20/0)25-63NA16.7NorlandPA L2-4 (1), lat L3 (2.7), left FN (1.2)PA L2-4 BMD similar between groups but lateral L3 and FN BMD reduced in AS No VF Syndesmophytes: 60% PA LS OP: 20% in AS, 15% in CLateral L3 DXA is superior to PA DXA in detecting a decrease in BMD in patients with AS
Karberg et al[20]AS: 103 (66/37) I: < 5 yr (n:27) II: 5-10 yr (48) III: > 10 yr (28)I: 34.2 II: 38.1 III: 49.1NMI: 2.5 II: 7.0 III: 19.7HologicL1-4, FN, radiusHLA-B27: 92.2% Disease duration < 5 yr OP: 11%, 15% (hip, spine) > 10 yr OP: 29%, 4% (hip, spine) DEXA: OP: 24%, 14% and osteopenia: 52%, 31% (hip, spine) DEQCT OP: 11% and openia: 44% (L) pQCT OP: 1% openia: 16% (radius)Patients with AS already have reduced BMD at the lumbar spine and the femoral neck early in the disease process. In later stage, OP ratio at hip increased but at LS did not increase
Lange et al[8]AS: 84 (53/31) I: (10/17) II: (12/10) III: (12/3) IV: (19/1)I: 32 II: 47 III: 45 IV: 56NMI: 9 II: 20 III: 21 IV: 32LunarLS (0.9-1), total hip (1.6)A high decrease in axial bone density could be verified in both initial and advanced stages of the disease (SE-QCT is better) DXA: osteopenia in 5% and OP in 9.2% SE-QCT: osteopenia in 11.8% and osteoporosis in 30.3% HLA-B27: 81.5%-95% VF: 10.7%In stages of advanced ankylosis in the vertebral region, priority should be given to SE-QCT to detect bone loss, due to the selective measurement of trabecular and cortical bone
Incel et al[45]AS: 53 (46/7)39.57:010.6LunarL2-4, FNAS patients have lower BMD in LS and FN in both inactive and especially active patients. Osteopenia is 78.3% in early AS Osteopenia or OP is 63.3% in advanced ASSevere disease and concomitant urolithiasis may increase bone loss and fracture risk especially at the femur neck
Jun et al[28]AS: 68 (68/0)30.7NA7.2HologicPA L2-4, left Prox FemurBMD of LS and FN significantly lower than C VF correlated with BMD femur. VF: 16.2%Measurement of femur BMD may provide useful information to predict the risk of vertebral fractures in patients with AS
Kim et al[24]AS: 60 (51/9)31.2NM5.5HologicAP L1-4 (1), right FN (1.2)HLA-B27 83% OP: LS 19%, FN 33% Osteopenia: LS 37%, FN 41% The patients with AS presented reduced BMD and T score at spineAbout 74% of AS patients have reduced BMD The imbalance between RANKL and OPG might be involved in the pathogenesis and clinical courses of osteoporosis in AS
Sarikaya et al[57]AS: 26 (21/5)44.35:0NMHologicNon dominant hip (1), forearm (1)Hip BMD values are lower in AS whereas radius BMD values are similar between 2 group Hip Osteopenia or OP: 76.9%OP at hip region may be due to localized effects of inflammatory activity or immobility rather than a systemic effect
Altindag et al[58]AS: 62 (36/26)33.4NM5.7HologicAP L2-4, left FNLumbar and femoral neck BMD scores are significantly lower in AS OP: 32% osteopenia: 17.7%Lumbar BMD scores negatively correlated with the length of disease duration in AS patients
Stupphann et al[15]AS: 21 (10/11)51NM25.4LunarL1-4, total hipTH: Osteopenia or OP 45% by DXA LS: Osteopenia or OP 48% by QCT QCT and DXA at proximal femur show a significant correlation but not at LSActivated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells contribute to the production of RANKL in the inflammatory bone-resorption
Ghozlani et al[23]AS: 80 (67/13)38.913:010.8LunarAP L1-4, proximal FOP: 25% VF: 18.8% OP is common in patients with AS and seems to be related to disease activityMeasuring BMD in early disease should include DXA in the spine and hip. In advanced disease, BMD evaluation should rely on hip DXA
Mermerci Başkan et al[25]AS: 100 (75/25)39.925:010.5HologicAP L1-4 and Lat L2-3, FNThoracic VF: 16% Lumbar VF: 3% OP: 32% Acute phase reactant levels of the AS patients with OP are higher than the patients without OPVitamin D deficiency in AS may indirectly lead to osteoporosis by causing an increase in the inflammatory activity
Arends et al[22]AS: 128 (93/35)4114HologicAP L1-4, PFBMD of the lumbar spine, measured by DXA, may be overestimated due to osteoproliferation in patients with advanced AS HLA-B27: 84% VF: 39% Osteopenia or OP: 57%Bone turnover, inflammation, and low vitamin D levels are important in the pathophysiology of AS-related osteoporosis
Korczowska et al[59]AS: 66 (66/0)AS: 51.6NA17.4DTX-200 or ECLIPSEForearm and hipForearm: Osteopenia: 54% and OP: 14% Hip: Osteopenia: 51% and OP: 5%Accelerated loss of bone tissue is observed in patients with AS
Vasdev et al[29]AS: 80 (80/0) C: 160 (160/0)32.98.1HologicLS (1), hip (1)In active and inactive patients, BMD is similar OP: 28.8% at LS and 11.5% at FN VF: 1.25% HLA-B27: 86%OP is a significant complication in AS even in early disease, and more prevalent in the spine compared to femur Spinal BMD is the most sensitive site for defining OP in AS
van der Weijden et al[4]SpA: 130 (86/44) AS: 72% uSpA: 12% PsA: 8%; ReA: 4%3842:26.3LunarL2-4, left PFOsteopenia: 38%, OP: 9% HLA-B27: 74% No differences between group for distribution of the osteopenia and OP at hip or LS BMDA high frequency of low BMD is found in patients with early SpA and it is associated with male gender and decreased functional capacity
Grazio et al[26]AS: 80 (46/34)52.3NM21.8HologicL2-4, left PFHLA-B27 86% at LS: OP: 25% and osteopenia: 20% at FN OP: 22.5 and osteopenia: 47.4% More patients with osteopenia at the lumbar spine had lower BASDAI scoreHip BMD seems to be more associated with disease activity and functional ability than BMD at the lumbar spine
Klingberg et al[27]AS: 204 (117/87)5042:4524HologicAP L1-4 (0.4), lateral L2-4 (0.6), left hip, non-dominant radiusHLA-B27: 87% ≥ 50 yr osteopenia: 43.6 and OP: 20.8% < 50 yr low BMD 4.9% BMD at lateral LS was lower than AP and revealed more OPOP and osteopenia is common in AS and associated with high disease burden. Lateral and volumetric lumbar DXA are more sensitive than AP DXA in detecting OP
Klingberg et al[60]204 (117/87)5042:4524HologicAP L1-4, Lat L2-4, non dominant PF and forearmBMD was significantly lower in the patients with VF HLA-B27: 87% VF: 11.8%BMD in the femoral neck, total hip, and estimated vertebral BMD show the strongest association with VF
Taylan et al[61]AS: 55 (48/7)AS: 3610HologicPA L2-4, Left femurBMD at proximal femur is lower but at lumbar spine was similar HLA-B27: 64.9%
van der Weijden et al[62]SpA: 113 (75/38) AS: 71%3738:05.7LunarL2-4, left PFIn patients with VF, BMD at LS is lower than patients without VF HLA-B27: 75% VF: 15%The VFs are associated with low BMD of the lumbar spine and with axial PsA
Akgöl et al[30]nr-axSpA: 46 (32/14)31.414:0< 3HologicLS (1), PF (3)Patients with nr-axSpA have significant bone loss at the lumbar spine compared with patients with mLBP Comparison of BMD in the nr-axSpA subgroups reveal that patients with inflammation had lower BMD at the LS and PF HLA-B27: 60.8%; no VFInflammation on MRI is closely associated with low bone mass in patients who are in the very early stage of the disease
Briot et al[21]SpA: 332 (174/158)33.8151:71.6Hologic or LunarL1-4, FN, FTLow BMD associated with presence of inflammatory lesions on MRI, ESR or CRP HLA-B27 62.1% Low BMD: 13% (M: 88%)Patients with early SpA had 13.0% low BMD and the main risk factor associated with low BMD was inflammation on MRI
Klingberg et al[9]AS: 69 (69/0)49NA23HologicAP L1-4, lat L2-4, non dominant forearm and hip HRpQCT: radius (0.3-3.9) and tibia (0.1-1.6) QCT: L1-4The AS patients have lower vBMD in peripheral bone Syndesmophytes are significantly associated with decreasing trabecular vBMD in lumbar spine Estimated lumbar vBMD by DXA correlate with trabecular vBMD measured by QCT HLA-B27 94%Male patients with AS have axial osteopenia. New bone formation cause false normal BMD at LS by DXA
Ulu et al[46]AS: 86 (69/17)AS: 34.5NM11.7HologicPA L1-4, lat L2-4, femurHLA-B27: 66.3% Syndesmophytes: 37.2% VF: 28% PA spine BMD similar with C Lateral spine, hip BMD lower in AS PA BMD higher in late stage AS than early stage FN, FT BMD lat spine BMD similar in two stageBone loss increase in AS The BMD measurement at the lateral lumbar spine reflects bone loss and fracture risk better than PA spine and femoral measurements
Table 2 Summary of the follow-up studies
Ref.Sample size(M/F)Mean age(yr)Menopausal status(pre:post)Diseaseduration (yr)DexamachineDexa site (coefficientvariation %)Follow-up(mo)OutcomeConclusion
Lee et al[17]AS: 14 (14/0) 7 early AS 7 advanced AS33.3 54.6NA5.4 27HologicLS (1), FN (1)15Baseline LS BMD measured by QCT decrease in both early (also by DXA) and advanced diseases and do not change significantly over 15 mo HLA-B27 92.9%AP LS DXA in late AS is less useful than QCT in determining the degree of osteopenia in late AS
Gratacós et al[6]AS: 34 (27/7) Active 14 (12/2) Inactive 20 (15/5)Active: 33 Inactive: 317:07.5 5.3LunarLS (0.8), FN (2.3)19At the end of the follow-up period, patients with active AS show a significant reduction in bone mass in the LS (5%) and FN (3%)Loss of bone mass only in patients with persistent active AS suggests that inflammatory activity plays a major role in the pathophysiology of the early bone loss
Maillefert et al[32]AS: 54 (35/19)37.316:312.4HologicPA L2-4 (2.8), left FN (4)24After 2 yr, BMD did not change at the LS and decreased at the FN The change in BMD at FN was related to persistent systemic inflammation HLA-B27 88.9% VF: 3.7% after 24 moPersistent inflammation may be an etiologic factor of bone loss in AS
Kaya et al[31]AS: 55 (42/13) Active: 22 Inactive: 3335.813:011.1LunarAP L2-4 (2.1), PF (2.3)24Active AS have lower BMD at PF than inactive ones but LS BMD was similar 0.9% decrease in BMD at FN and increase at LS after follow-up, this change not different in active and inactive AS Active AS OP: PF: 22.7%, LS: 27.3% Osteopenia: PF: 40.9%, LS: 31.8 inactive AS OP; PF: 3%, LS: 21,2% Osteopenia; PF 45.5%, LS: 33.3%PF measurements seem to be less affected from disease-related new bone formation
Haugeberg et al[33]SpA: 30 (15/15)31.115:06LunarAP L2-4 (2.3), both hip (2.8) and hand (1.1)12No significant reduction in BMD at hip, spine and hand is seen after 12 mo follow-up Bone loss at PF is found to be associated with raised baseline CRP levels, baseline BMO of the SIJs on MRI HLA-B27 56.7Bone loss in patients with SpA is a result of systemic inflammation and starts early in the disease process
Korkosz et al[18]AS: 19 (19/0)45.6NA16.5LunarL2-4 (1.6-2.2), left hip QCT: L1-5120During the follow-up VF: 15.8% In spine, trabecular BMC decrease by QCT whereas BMD increase by DXAIn AS patients, spinal trabecular bone density evaluated by QCT decrease over 10-yr follow-up and it is not related to baseline radiological severity of spinal involvement
Table 3 Summary of the interventional studies
Ref.Sample size(M/F)Mean ageMenopausal statuspre:postDisease duration(yr)Dexa machineDexa site (coefficientvariation %)Follow-updurationOutcomeConclusion
Allali et al[39]SpA: 29 (23/6)356:113HologicAP L2-4, left PF6A significant increase in BMD at the LS, total hip and trochanter is observed in patients with SpA treated with anti-TNFBenefit of anti-TNFα therapy on BMD in patients with SpA may be through an uncoupling effect on bone cells
Briot et al[37]SpA: 19 (17/2)40NM16.5HologicL2-4, left FT12After 1 yr of treatment BMD increase at the spine and femur totalTreatment with anti-TNFα in SpA is associated with an increase of BMD, which results from a decrease of bone resorption
Biriot et al[41]SpA: 106 (80/26) AS: 87.8% PsA: 6.6%38NM16.5HologicL2-4, left PF24At 1 and 2 yr of treatment, there is a significant gain in BMD at both lumbar spine and PF HLA-B27: 89% Baseline: OP: 28%, osteopenia: 23%This 2-yr prospective study show a significant increase in BMD, in patients with SpA receiving anti-TNFα treatment
Visvanathan et al[40]AS: 279 (225/54)40.3NM11.9NML1-4, PF24BMD at the spine and hip increase after anti-TNF therapy compared with placebo HLA-B27: 86.7%Infliximab have positive effect on BMD over 2 yr
Kang et al[34]AS: 90 (72/18)29.9 (onset age)18:08.2LunarAP L1-4, right PF36The most increase in BMD is observed at the spine and hip in the group treated with concurrent bisphosphonate and anti-TNF HLA-B27: 97% OP: 36.7%BMD increases more with the combination treatment (bisphosphonate and anti-TNF) and gain of bone mass is associated with the decrease in inflammation
Arends et al[35]AS: 111 (78/33)42.2NM16HologicAP L1-4, PF36LS and hip BMD significiantly increase compared to baseline after anti-TNFα theraphy HLA-B27: 81% LS OP: 9%, openia: 34% TF OP: 2%, openia: 37%Three years of anti-TNF therapy results increase in bone formation in accordance with the continuous improvement in lumbar spinal BMD
Dischereit et al[38]RA: 18 (3/15) AS: 16 (9/7)RA: 62 AS: 48NM-LunarAP L2-4 (1.5), FN (2)24At baseline in AS, osteopenia: 50% and OP: 6.3% A stable peripheral BMD, significant increases in axial BMD, could be observed after 24 mo of anti-TNFα therapy compared with baselineAnti-TNF therapy has favorable effects over osteoprotective pathways in patients with AS and RA
Kang et al[36]AS: 63 (52/11)36.811:28.6ProdigyL1-4, right PF24BMD at LS and FT of patients receiving anti-TNF increase regularly over 2 yr TNF blocking therapy and the increase in SASSS are independently associated with increased BMD at lumbar spine HLA-B27: 87%TNF inhibitors appear to be associated with increased SASSS scores and improvements in BMD
Table 4 Variation of the bone formation and resorption markers
Ref.Bone formation markers
Bone resorption markers
bALPOCCTXDPD
Borman et al[53]Increased
Grisar et al[55]IncreasedIncreasedIncreasedIncreased
Speden et al[7]DecreasedDecreasedIncreased
Sarikaya et al[57]DecreasedIncreased
Lee et al[17]NormalNormal
Altindag et al[58]IncreasedDecreasedIncreased
Mermerci Başkan et al[25]Normal
Acebes et al[51]NormalIncreased