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Physical activity prevents bone loss in premenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis: a cohort study

Rheumatology International volume 28, pages 1001–1007 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the bone loss and the influence of physical activity between premenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy women. A total of 71 patients with RA and 29 healthy premenopausal women with the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology for RA were followed for 2 years. Of these 85% were Caucasian, aged 38 ± 6.6 years and with a duration of disease of 88 ± 50 months and 48 (71.8%) used GC, mean daily dose, 7.3 ± 3.5 mg. There was a reduction in the T-score of the femoral neck (P = 0.04) and in the Ward region (P = 0.05) in RA. Through logistic regression, it was found that sedentarism was a risk factor for osteopenia in RA, with relative risk of 1.6 (IC = 1.238−1.734). Moderate physical activity reduced the risk of osteopenia by 50%. Sedentarism and low weight are the main factors associated with bone loss. Physical activity reduces bone loss. Early preventive and therapeutic measures must be encouraged.

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Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Medicina Interna, Fundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre, Av. Plínio Brasil Milano, 812/604, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90520 000, Brazil

    Tatiana Freitas Tourinho

  2. Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina: Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Edison Capp

  3. Departamento de Medicina Interna, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    João Carlos Brenol

  4. Departmento de Medicina Preventiva, Fundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Airton Stein

Authors
  1. Tatiana Freitas Tourinho
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  2. Edison Capp
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  3. João Carlos Brenol
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  4. Airton Stein
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Correspondence to Tatiana Freitas Tourinho.

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Tourinho, T.F., Capp, E., Brenol, J.C. et al. Physical activity prevents bone loss in premenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis: a cohort study. Rheumatol Int 28, 1001–1007 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-008-0554-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-008-0554-3

Keywords

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Bone densitometry
  • Osteoporosis
  • Glucocorticoid