Systemic sclerosis & Raynaud's
Elevated pro-BNP and low-grade inflammation are associated with low bone mineral density in systemic sclerosis, a case control study
Authors' conclusion
This large case-control study finds elevated NT-proBNP, indicators of low-grade inflammation and of disease severity negatively associated with BMD in SSc patients, in addition to several established risk factors.
Study context
- Population
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients (182 women, 29 men; mean age 61 yrs, mean disease duration 9 yrs), Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden, and matched controls182 women and 29 men with SSc
- Participants
- 211 vs 505
- Comparison
- SSc patients vs age- and sex-matched controls
- SScn = 211
- Controlsn = 505reference
- Outcome
- BMD (hip and spine) and its association with SSc disease-related features and established risk factors
Methodological detailsage- and sex-matched controls, multinomial logistic regression, multiple linear regression, machine learning prediction model
- Age- and sex-matched controls
- Multinomial logistic regression
- Multiple linear regression
- Machine learning prediction model
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Factors associated with low BMD in SSc
- NT-proBNP and elevated CRP independently associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) in SSc
- p<0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Associations with hip T-score
- BMI, menopausal status, low physical activity and higher medication burden associated with lower hip T-score
- Predictive modelling: BMI and NT-proBNP strongest determinants of hip T-score
Original publication
Elevated pro-BNP and low-grade inflammation are associated with low bone mineral density in systemic sclerosis, a case control study. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 1 September 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →