Low bone mineral density in the hand can serve as a prognostic indicator of mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a new study suggests.
Research findings presented at the 2008 Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism in Paris, proposed that digital x-ray radiogrammetry can predict mortality as well as established means of assessment including radiographic damage and functional disability.
Lead investigator, Dr Christina Book of Malmo University Hospital, Sweden, said: “This long-term study establishes that measurement of bone mineral density in the hand may be an important physical gauge in anticipating the course of rheumatoid arthritis.
“It offers physicians an effective tool for assessing a patient’s disease and so developing the most appropriate individual management plan.”
According to the study, the physician’s global assessment, Steinbrocker functional classification and erythrocyte sedimentation rate could all be used as effective predictors of mortality.
However, the study indicated that in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, measures of rheumatic disease activity were less effective in providing long-term prognosis of mortality.
