Metabolic bone status in young women with juvenile chronic arthritis.

A group of 26 young women (18-36 years of age) with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA, duration 8-33 years) was investigated for bone metabolism and mineral status. Six of the patients were receiving longterm corticosteroid therapy, and 5 had received corticosteroid treatment in the past. Serum osteocalcin and urinary hydroxyproline were significantly elevated in 17 and 14 of the 26 patients, respectively, compared with healthy controls. Compared to controls, bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine was significantly lowered in 6 of 26 patients, all of whom were in the corticosteroid treated subgroup. No correlation was evident between any of the variables measured, except for the association of corticosteroid therapy with low BMD.