Strong Bones, Less Atherosclerosis in Patients With Lupus?

May 18, 2018

An osteoporosis regimen may benefit the heart as well as the bones.

Reference1. Ohmura K, Kato M, Watanabe T, et al. Effect of combined treatment with bisphosphonate and vitamin D on atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a propensity score-based analysis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2018;20:72. doi: 10.1186/s13075-018-1589-9.

Ohmura and colleagues in Japan found that the prevalence of carotid plaque was significantly lower in patients with lupus who were receiving bisphosphonates and vitamin D as a part of an osteoporosis regimen than in those who were receiving one or the other.¹

Scroll through the slides for the details of the study and the take-home points for clinicians.

(Image credit: ©Filipchuk Oleg/Shutterstock.com)

Cardiovascular disease has replaced lupus-related organ failure as the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in SLE.

Of the 72 patients receiving bisphosphonates, 58 (81%) were taking alendronate, 7 (10%) risedronate, 6 (8%) minodronate, and 1 (1%) ibandronate.