OSTEOPOROSIS AND ASSOCIATED FRACTURES IN OLDER PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATIC DISEASES
Aim. To estimate the burden of fractures in patients with rheumatic inflammatory diseases. Materials and Methods. A specially designed questionnaire was introduced to patients of rheumatic department of Sverdlovsk regional hospital № 1. The study included 242 patients aged 50 to 79 years (mean age 58.4± 6.5 years, 194 women and 48 men). Results. High incidence of osteoporosis (35.5%) was observed in patients with rheumatic inflammatory diseases. Intervention threshold (FRAX) was identified in 46.8% of patients. Low-energy fractures of the skeleton were identified in 33.9% of patient. Oral glucocorticoid therapy increased the risk (odds ratio (95% confidence interval (95% CI)) of osteoporotic fractures by 2.68-fold (95% CI 1.55 - 4.63, p=0.004). Conclusion. High incidence of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures was observed in patients with rheumatic inflammatory diseases.