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Bone mineral density in patients with systemic sclerosis
  1. B Frediani1,
  2. F Baldi1,
  3. P Falsetti1,
  4. C Acciai1,
  5. G Filippou1,
  6. A Spreafico1,
  7. F Chellini1,
  8. C Capperucci1,
  9. P Filipponi2,
  10. M Galeazzi1,
  11. R Marcolongo1
  1. 1Institute of Rheumatology, University of Siena, Italy
  2. 2Bone and Mineral Research Unit, University of Perugia, Italy
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr B Frediani
    Institute of Rheumatology, Policlinico “Le Scotte”, Viale Bracci 1, 53100 Siena Italy; fredianibrunotiscalinet.it

https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.2003.011064

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    Generalised radiological osteopenia has been seen to occur in a significant percentage of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).1,2 Bone mineral content was found to be reduced at the radius,3–,5 lumbar spine, and the total body.5 No data are available on quantitative ultrasound (QUS) evaluation of bone in patients with SSc.

    PATIENTS AND METHODS

    In this study, bone mineral density (BMD) and stiffness index (SI) were measured in patients with SSc not treated with steroids to investigate the presence of systemic osteoporosis.

    Forty seven women (mean age 53.9 years (range 32–77)) affected with SSc were investigated: 20 were premenopausal (preSSc) and 27 postmenopausal (postSSc). All the patients satisfied the preliminary American Rheumatology Association criteria indicated in the classification of progressive SSc.

    The control group consisted of 50 healthy female subjects: 23 premenopausal (prenorm) and 27 postmenopausal (postnorm). The exclusion …

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