Bone Density Change in Postmenopausal Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with systemic inflammation-mediated bone loss, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures, particularly in postmenopausal patients. Although disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs may help mitigate bone loss, comparative longitudinal data on different treatment strategies remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate changes in bone mineral density over time and assess the impact of conventional synthetic and biologic DMARDs, together with anti-osteoporotic therapy, on bone health.

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Key information

Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Arthritis Arthritis, Rheumatoid Autoimmune Diseases Bone Diseases Bone Diseases, Metabolic Connective Tissue Diseases Immune System Diseases Joint Diseases Metabolic Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Osteoporosis Rheumatic Diseases Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa (IUC)

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Postmenopausal women with a confirmed diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis

Exclusion criteria

Concomitant inflammatory rheumatic diseases other than RA
History of malignancy
Uncontrolled or untreated endocrine or metabolic disorders affecting bone metabolism, such as primary hyperparathyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, severe renal failure, severe hepatic failure
Incomplete medical records or missing data

Treatment and study plan

Bone Density Test

Diagnostic Test

BMD values were obtained from DXA scans performed at the lumbar spine (L1-L4), femoral neck, and total femur. All DXA measurements were conducted at the Department of Nuclear Medicine using the same device, a Hologic QDR 4500SL (S/N 45624, Bedford, MA), to ensure methodological consistency. Reference values were based on the NHANES III.

Primary outcomes

Change in Bone Mineral Density

Time frame: 1-2 years

For each patient, the absolute values and changes in BMD between the two DXA time points for the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total femur were recorded.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Changes in Bone Mineral Density and the Impact of Therapeutic Approaches in Postmenopausal Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Jan 13, 2026
Registry last updated: Jan 13, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed