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Bone loss in RA 'caused by osteoblast capacity and inflammation'
The loss of bone in over 50s suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be attributed in part to impaired osteoblast capacity, which could lead to a need for joint replacement surgery.
A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research has investigated how osteoblast function can be compromised in areas of focal bone erosion in RA patients.
They found that bone formation rates on surfaces which were adjacent to areas of inflammation were similar when compared to non-arthritic bone.
In arthritic bone, the extent of actively mineralising surface near to inflammation was reduced and consistent with the reduction of bone formation.
The researchers wrote: "Data indicates that the presence of inflammation within arthritic bone impairs osteoblast capacity to form adequate mineralised bone, thus contributing to the net loss of bone and failure of bone repair at sites of focal bone erosion in RA."
Dr Mohammad Salem, writing for the Examiner.com, recently claimed that RA sufferers should ensure they exercise safely and avoid jerking moments to reduce the impact on hips and knees.
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