To describe the prevalence of osteoporosis, the prevalence and incidence of fractures, and the frequency of risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) in axial spondyloarthritis (Ax-SpA).
A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies was conducted. Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched with a sensitive strategy. Large cross-sectional and longitudinal studies published in the last 10 years (January 2006-2016) with representative samples of patients with Ax-SpA estimating the frequency of osteoporosis, risk factors or fractures were selected.
After screening 3597 titles and abstracts, 46 studies were reviewed in detail, of which 35 studies had a cross-sectional design, 5 were prospective and 6 retrospective; 21 studies compared Ax-SpA patients with a control group-either healthy individuals (18 studies) or subjects with other diseases (6 studies). The prevalence of osteoporosis varied from 11.7% to 34.4% and that of fractures from 11% to 24.6%. Alcohol intake (58-61%), use of corticosteroids (11.7-66.9%), and 25-OH vitamin D deficiency (26-76%) were unexpectedly high in Ax-SpA patients.
The prevalence of osteoporosis and fractures in Ax-SpA varies between 11.7% and 34.4% and 11-24.6%, respectively. Alcohol intake, steroid use, and low levels of 25-OH-vitamin D should be taken into account in osteoporosis assessment in patients with Ax-SpA. Inconsistent results, lack of bone quality assessment, and high likelihood of bias of the published studies confirm the need for performing well-designed studies.