Background Bone loss in patients (pts) with early axial spondyloarthritis is insufficiently studied.

Objectives To examine bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) in pts with early axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Methods 73 pts (33 men and 40 women) with early axSpA were included in this study; mean disease duration 19.9±14.4 months. Pts fulfilled ASAS criteria. Mean age 28.3±6.4 years, mean BASDAI 4.1±1.9; mean ASDAS-CRP 2.7±1.3. Clinical data were collected and BMD was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the FN and LS (L2–4). Low BMD was defined as T score ≤ -1.

Results In all 73 pts mean T-score was -0.7±0.78 for the FN and -0.9±1.03 for the LS. In the group of pts with bone loss the BMD values were the following: mean T-score for the FN -1.5±0.39 and for the LS -1.6±0.46. Correlation has been detected between BMD reduction in the FN and in the LS (r =0.42; p=0.0001). The reduction in BMD was found in 44 (60.3%) pts. 27 (37.0%) pts had bone loss of the FN, 37 (50.7%) pts had bone loss of the LS, BMD reduction in both areas was found in 20 (27.4%) pts.

Conclusions Systemic bone loss starts early in the disease process and is revealed in a considerable part of pts with early axSpA. This emphasizes the need for early intervention in axSpA. There is an association between low BMD in the FN and in the LS.

Disclosure of Interest None declared

DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3083