Bone Mineral Density In Premenopausal Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective : To study bone mineral density (BMD) in women with systemic lupuserythematosus (SLE) and to evaluate the influence of the use of corticosteroids.Methods : We measured BMD by dual energy x ray absorptiometry atfemoral neckand at thelumbar spine in 50 patients with SLE who were receiving glucocorticoidtherapy, and in 30 normal control.Results BMD was significantly reduced at the spine and at the femoral neck in SLEpatients when compared with the control group; there was a negative correlationbetween BMD and corticosteroid therapy.Conclusion. BMD in patients with SLE was less than that in a control group. We alsofound a relationship between BMD and corticosteroid therapy.