A new study that links rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spinal deformities shows that women with RA face increased health risks.In the study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in February, Norwegian physicians examined 498 female patients in Oslo, Norway. They diagnosed 249 with RA, and 249 who did not have RA. The researchers found spinal deformities in 147 of the patients with RA. In contrast, only 51 of the control group had vertebral deformities. Additionally, 27 of the patients with RA had multiple vertebral deformities, while only 12 of the healthy group had more than one spinal deformity. Moderate to severe deformities were detected in 17% of patients with RA and only 10% of healthy patients.
Spinal deformities associated with RA include: subluxations (partial dislocations, affecting the curvature of the spine); dislocations; and bone degeneration. All of these are associated with back pain.
Researchers selected and matched the women in the study for age and residential area. Each of the women, who ranged in age from 50 to 73, had x-rays taken of her lower- and mid-back. The researchers examined these images as well as the bone mineral density of the patients’ lower backs for a correlation. They also took into account the patients’ use of corticosteroids.
Previous studies have shown other links between RA, the long-term use of corticosteroids (as anti-inflammatory agents), decreased bone mineral density, and increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Patients with RA are twice as likely to develop osteoporosis, in part because the use of steroids such as prednisone to treat the symptoms leads to decreased bone thickness.
What makes this new study noteworthy is that it demonstrates that the correlation of RA with spinal deformities was independent of bone mineral density and corticosteroid use. This indicates that the RA itself, rather than the use of steroids or lower bone mineral density, may be the cause of the deformities.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease. In such diseases, including multiple sclerosis and lupus, the immune system treats body tissue as foreign matter and attacks it. In RA, the immune system primarily attacks joint and bone tissue, although it can affect other organs as well, including the skin and lungs. Joint decay, pain, stiffness, and inflammation, and loss of bone mineral density are all effects of RA. Because of the increased risk of bone degeneration and deformities, people with RA should be routinely checked for osteoporosis and back problems.
Not all people with RA experience pain as a symptom. Early symptoms include fatigue, weakness, morning stiffness, and muscle aches.
About 1-2% of the population have RA. Women are more likely than men to contract RA. Additionally, RA attacks people of any age; children can also develop the disease, although it is more common in older people. Some scientists suspect that a combination of genetic factors, hormones, or viral infection may explain its occurrence. However, the exact cause is unknown.
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