Abstract
Osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures are common complications of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. A number of causes participate on their development – from the reduced mobility of patients and proresorption impact of oversupply of proinflammatory cytokines up to adverse side effects of immunosuppressive therapy.
Loss of bone mass associated with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis has its own specific features and particularities, which are covered in detail by this article’s authors. The most important iatrogenic factor causing skeleton demineralization and decrease of bone quality is systemic corticotherapy.