EVALUATION OF BONE MINERAL DENSITY (BMD) IN 20 WOMEN WITH SYSTEMIC SCLERODERMA IN COMPARRISON WITH NORAML WOMEN.

Scleroderma is a connective tissue disorder characterized by thickening and fibrosis of the skin. Many researchers have postulated in the past that scleroderma may be a risk factor for osteoporosis because this disease not only by a chronic inflammatory state, but also by many secondary complications may predispose the patients to osteoporosis. There is conflicting evidence in the literature as to whether or not an association between SSc and decreased BMD exist. The aim of this study is to evaluate bone mass in scleroderma patients in Mashhad.

Materials & Methods: We selected 20 female patients with scleroderma, mean age 40.6, and after taking medical history and physical examination, bone densitometry was performed with DEXA method in Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad. The results interpreted with WHO criteria as normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis and then compared with the normal women with similar age.

Results: Seven patients (35%) had osteoporosis, 9 (45%) had osteopenia, and only 4 (20%) had normal bone density. In scleroderma, patients bone density disorders were more common than normal women with similar age and the difference was more significant for steoporosis patients.

Conclusion: Scleroderma has a direct effect on the bone density and can increase the risk of bone density disorders.