Bone mineral density in juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE To compare bone mineral density in patients with juvenile-onset Systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy controls. PARTICIPANTS Serial bone mineral density measurements in 27 patients with juvenile-onset systemic lupus were compared to 97 healthy age-matched controls. RESULTS All patients with juvenile-onset had low bone mineral density scores at initial assessment that progressed over disease course. Low body mass index was independently associated with a decline in bone mineral density Z scores; disease activity, use of immunosuppressive agents and vitamin D levels were not risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Patients with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus have low bone mineral density.