Trabecular Bone Score and Bone Density in Patients With Non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
Abstract BackgroundSpondyloarthritis (SpA) represents a group of several inflammatory conditions. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) are considered to belong to SpA family of diseases. The aim of our study is to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone scores (TBS) scores in patients suffering from nr-axSpA.MethodsA cross-sectional study evaluating 160 patients. Inclusion criteria involved patients 18-45 years of age, having clinical features of SpA, and fulfilling Calin’s criteria for inflammatory low back pain. Patients were divided into 3 groups; group A (nr-axSpA) patients, group B (radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA)) patients, and group C (mechanical low back pain).Results Female to male ratio was significantly higher in group A compared to group B (63.3% vs. 36.7%) and (23.33% vs. 76.7%) (p< 0.001), respectively. While disease duration was significantly higher in group B in comparison to groups A and C (47.65±7.15, 18.56±6.55, and 14.76±4.20) (p<0.001), respectively. L1-L4 and L2-L4 TBS of groups A and B were significantly lower compared to group C (p<0.001). Additionally, a statistically significant decrease in BMD scores of L1-L4, femoral neck, and total hip bones was detected in group A compared to group C (p< 0.001).ConclusionPatients with nr-axSpA had a lower BMD and TBS compared to r-axSpA group (B) and control group (C), and it predominantly affected more females than males (3:1).