Bone loss in males with ankylosing spondylitis: its relation to sex hormone levels

Objective Osteoporosis is a common complication of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of the present study was to assess the association of sex hormone levels with bone loss in males with AS. Design A cross-sectional study. Patients The study group consisted of 58 male patients with primary AS. The mean age was 38.2 years (range 18-59 years). Measurements Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the left proximal femur. Serum FSH, LH, total testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), oestradiol (E2) and progesterone levels were measured. Results Bone loss was observed in 54.5% of cases at the femoral neck and in 52.3% of cases at the trochanter and total hip. Bone loss was found in 40 (69%) cases in at least one of these three regions. Serum DHEAS was low in 12 (30.8%) of the cases with bone loss, and one (5.9%) of those without (P = 0.043). The ratio of serum T/DHEAS was higher in those with bone loss (5.24 +/- 3.70) than in those without (3.58 +/- 3.16) (P = 0.026). Conclusions The results showed that bone loss might be related to low serum DHEAS levels in males with AS.