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Metacarpal bone mass in systemic lupus erythematosus

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Summary

We report the prevalence of metacarpal cortical thinning in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Fifty-eight ambulant female patients attending a lupus clinic (mean age 32.4 years), were found to have significant thinning of metacarpal cortices (p<0.05) when compared with 63 normal females (mean age 34.1 years). However, metacarpal bone mass was within the normal range. Measurements were made at 6 metacarpals of the 2 hands using a computer-aided technique (digitized radiogrammetry). Femoral cortical width and Singh index at the left femur, as well as the vertebral index at L3 were also recorded. The trabecular indices were in the range of normality, but the SLE group had more patients in the immediately pre-osteopaenic range. Metacarpal bone loss was not related to disease duration or corticosteroid therapy. The prevalence of osteopenia in SLE is probably underestimated and the pathogenesis is likely to be multifactorial.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Rheumatic Diseases Unit, University of Cape Town (UCT), P.O. Box 30195, 7966, Tokai, South Africa

    A. A. Kalla & O. L. Meyers

  2. SA MRC, Biostatistics Institute, South Africa

    T. J. van Wyk Kotze

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  1. A. A. Kalla
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  2. T. J. van Wyk Kotze
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  3. O. L. Meyers
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Kalla, A.A., van Wyk Kotze, T.J. & Meyers, O.L. Metacarpal bone mass in systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Rheumatol 11, 475–482 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02283101

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