2009 Measuring metacarpal cortical bone by digital x-ray radiogrammetry

Description: Changes in metacarpal cortical bone mineral density (BMD) using digital x-ray radiogrammetry were studied in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. After 1, 2, and 5 years, large BMD losses were found: –1.7%, –2.8%, and –5.6%, respectively. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide levels were independent predictors of bone loss, indicating that the largest amount of bone loss was found in patients with severe inflammation and high production of auto-antibodies, who are known to be at the highest risk of developing radiological bone damage. Studies are needed about the spatial and time relationship between erosions and juxta-articular and metacarpal bone loss.
Measuring metacarpal cortical bone by digital x-ray radiogrammetry: a step forward? Piet P Geusens and Willem F Lems Arthritis Research & Therapy 2009, 11:127 Full text