The Deep Connection Between Lupus and Osteoporosis
A body that can't stay in motion
Another conundrum that lupus patients face is the lack of physical activity. This is quite common considering how pain and fatigue are common traits of this disease. Furthermore, without the means of building strength, both muscle and bone tissue will diminish. In fact, a 2015 study that was published in Arthritis Care and Research indicates that many of the 146 female subjects who participated had very weak muscle strength, particularly in their legs. This situation places them at a higher risk for falling and sustaining sever fractures.
As one can see, loss of bone mass can open a person up to even more complications. Research indicates that 50% of women and one in six men age 50 and older will suffer a fracture that’s related to osteoporosis. Another comprehensive study that is directly related to lupus involves 4,343 people who live in this type of situation. The results show that 22% of this group are more likely than their peers to sustain a broken bone.