Is osteoporosis common in patients with lupus?

Question: Is osteoporosis common in patients with lupus?

Answer:

Yes, individuals with lupus are at an increased risk for osteoporosis. Here are some possible reasons:

• Certain treatments for lupus, such as glucocorticoids, can cause bone loss
• A more sedentary lifestyle due to pain caused by lupus, which can increase osteoporosis risk
• A possible link between lupus and bone loss in general

Furthermore, studies suggest an increase in bone loss and fracture in individuals with lupus. In fact, women with lupus may be five times more likely to experience a fracture, presumably from bone loss.

One must also consider that weight, genetics and whether one smokes also contribute to early bone loss.

_{Sources:
Conditions and Behaviors that Increase Osteoporosis Risk. The National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. November 2006.}

Osteoporosis The National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. December 2007