To assess bone mineral density (BMD) in men with steroid-treated rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure BMD in 40 men with RA, 20 of whom were receiving low-dose corticosteroids (< or = 10 mg prednisolone daily), and in 20 healthy, age-matched male controls.
BMD was significantly reduced at the femoral neck and greater trochanter in both groups of RA patients, and at the spine from the anteroposterior dimension in the steroid-treated group.
Low-dose steroid therapy may induce excess axial osteopenia in men with RA.