The evaluation of bone changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Some biochemical and radiological parameters of bone loss associated with rheumatoid arthritis were compared with changes observed in patients suffering from osteoarthrosis. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis increased elimination of hydroxyproline correlated with hypercalciuria and elevated total serum alkaline phosphatase were found. It is suggested that in cases where special methods of assessment of bone changes are not available these biochemical values could serve as satisfactory screening method for detection of bone loss.