Zeitschrift für Rheumatologie
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Osteoporosis-related fractures are common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements using dual-energy x‑ray absorptiometry (DXA) alone has only a limited value for predicting the risk of fractures. The trabecular bone score (TBS) is a surrogate parameter for trabecular microarchitecture of bone and a predictor of fracture risk independent of BMD. ⋯ It is known that VF can occur in patients with normal BMD. In patients with VF, a low TBS with normal spine BMD is found more frequently than normal TBS and low spine BMD. These results suggest that measurement of the TBS has the potential to be a useful tool to detect increased fracture risk in patients with RA and normal spine BMD.