In spite of this, studies showed that the clinical course and radiographic progression of the disease were parallel in YORA and EORA patients and the difference between them at the onset of the disease and at a 3-year follow-up was not statistically significant.

It may be concluded that the mechanism responsible for reduced bone density in patients with rheumatoid arthritis remains unclear. The incidence of osteoporosis in RA patients is twice as high as in the healthy population. Involved in development of osteoporosis in patients with RA are primary risk factors, as well as the inflammatory process itself, duration of the disease and severity of its course, extent of immobilisation and use of glucocorticoid treatment. The drugs influencing the course of the disease have a positive effect also on bone density. The reports concerning the relation between glucocorticoid treatment and reduced bone density remain controversial. However, it is believed that glucocorticoid treatment in combination with other risk factors for reduced bone density present in RA contributes to significant reduction of bone density. Therefore, it is suitable to apply also antiresorptive treatment in RA patients treated with glucocorticoids (at a dose of ≥5 mg/day of prednisone for more than 3 months) and with a low bone density (T-score < −2.0 SD). New approaches to RA treatment prove effective in prevention of joint damage; however, little is known yet about their effect on bone density.