2014 World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases: The effect of rituximab therapy on bone mineral density with rheumatoid arthritis patients

92 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were randomized to receive methotrexate with or without rituximab therapy to assess the impact of rituximab treatment on bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck. BMD and T-scores significantly increased after 3 years in patients who received methotrexate and rituximab therapy, and maintained positive trends at the 4-year follow-up. No significant changes in BMD or T-score of the femoral neck were noted in the methotrexate only group.