Author/Editor		Gradišnik, Suzana; Pahor, Artur; Holc, Iztok
Title		Osteoporoza in revmatske bolezni
Translated title		Osteoporosis and rheumatic diseases
Type		članek
Source		In: Hojs R, Krajnc I, Pahor A, et al, editors. Iz prakse za prakso. Zbornik predavanj in praktikum 16. srečanje internistov in zdravnikov splošne medicine z mednarodno udeležbo; 2005 maj 20-21; Maribor. Maribor: Splošna bolnišnica Maribor,
Publication year		2005
Volume		str. 67-76
Language		slo
Abstract		Osteoporosis is a major clinical problem in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients with rheumatoid arthritis frequently present not only with juxtaarticular osteopenia and bone erosions but also with generalized axial and peripheral osteoporosis at sites distant from the inflamed joints. The pathogenesis of bone loss in RA is multifactorial; disease activity certainly is a major determinant of bone mass. Further pathogenetic factors include the effects of antiinflammatory therapies, particularly high-dose glucocorticoids, reduced mobility, estrogen and/or androgen deficiency. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and osteoprotegerin ligand (OPGL) were identified as central regulators of osteoclast recruitment and activation. Their production is modulated by several cytokines, by growth factors and hormones. In the rheumatoid synovium large quantities of OPGL are produced from fibroblasts and activated T cells, thereby promoting osteoclast recruitment and activation. Thus osteoprotegerin and osteoprotegerin ligand appear to represent important molecular links between the immune system and bone metabolism in chronic arthritis.
Descriptors		RHEUMATIC DISEASES OSTEOPOROSIS GLUCOCORTICOIDS INFLAMMATION