Relationship between C-reactive protein concentration, bone mineral density and cardiovascular disturbances in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To study relationship between serum level of hs-CRP, bone mineral density (BMD) and cardiovascular disturbances in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and methods. 132 pts with RA with mean age 50 years (45-53 years) and mean disease duration 132 months (48-216 months) were examined. BMD was evaluated by dichroic X-ray densitometry in femur neck with Gologic apparatus. CRP concentration was assessed by high sensitivity nephelometric immunoassay with latex amplification with BN 100 analyzer (Dade Behring, Germany). Results. Mean BMD value in pts with RA was lower than in control group —1,4 SD and -0,45 SD respectively (p=0,00001). Normal BMD, osteoporosis and osteopenia were revealed in 38%, 47% and 15% of pts respectively. Clinical and subclinical signs of atherosclerosis in RA were more frequent than in control: coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke (ST) in 25% and in 6% respectively (p=0,004), plaques (P) and intima-media complex (IMC) thickening in 65% and 35% respectively (p=0,003). In groups with osteopenia and osteoporosis ST and CHD revealed after RA development were more frequent, (p