Early rheumatoid arthritis treatment may prevent rapid bone loss

NYON, Switzerland, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Early and aggressive treatment for rheumatoid arthritis may help protect against progressive bone loss, researchers concluded in a recent study.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term immune disorder that attacks the joints, resulting in acute swelling and pain. In a review published in the journal Osteoporosis International, researchers at the International Osteoporosis Foundation concluded one of the disease's most harmful effects is best halted with early treatment using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, or DMARDs.

"Bone loss is one of the most harmful effects induced by chronic inflammation as well as by medications taken to treat rheumatoid arthritis, such as glucocorticoids," Sao Paolo researcher Cristiano Zerbini explained in a press release. "It is therefore important that we gain a better understanding of which medications used to treat patients with chronic inflammation are less likely to impact negatively on bone health."

The team reviewed 28 studies completed between 2003 and 2015, and examined cases in which RA resulted in progressive bone loss. In addition to concluding early treatments were more effective in preventing this phenomenon, bones can be protected even in instances where patients were not responsive to anti-TNF therapy.

Scientists say their review also indicated anti-RANKL therapy helped preserve bone mass, and non-biologic approaches which inhibit the cytokine network have shown promise for skeletal preservation.

"Although several studies reported favorable actions of biologic therapies on bone protection, it is clear that there are still unmet needs for research into their actions on the risk of bone fractures in RA patients," co-author Patricia Clark explained. "We recommend that all physicians treating RA remain vigilant of the high risk of bone loss and fractures in their patients."