Bone density in generalized osteoarthritis.

The densities of trabecular and cortical bone in the radius were measured by computed tomography in 40 women with generalized osteoarthrosis (osteoarthritis, GOA), and the results were compared to normal values obtained from prediction equations. When age, weight and height were considered, no significant differences were observed between patients with GOA and normal controls. But when age only was considered, trabecular bone density in the distal radius was found to be 7% higher than predicted (p less than 0.05). Increased trabecular bone density is unlikely to be an etiopathogenetic factor in GOA although this cannot be completely excluded from our study.