Decreased bone mineral density in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus after long-term administration of Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook. F.

To investigate the possible bone changes in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) induced by long-term administration of Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook. F (TW).70 female SLE patients were divided into 4 groups according to their drug history: SLE disease control group, corticosteroids treatment group, TW treatment group, and both corticosteroids and TW treatment group. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine 2-4 and biochemical markers of bone turnover were studied.Long-term administration of TW could significantly decrease BMD levels in female SLE patients (P < 0.05). The patients receiving TW for more than 5 years had significantly lower BMD levels compared with those for less than 5 years. The degree of decreased BMD induced by TW was less severe compared with that of prednisone. No significant differences were observed in the biochemical markers of bone turnover among four groups (P > 0.05).Long-term administration of TW could decrease BMD levels in women. Osteoporosis may be an important problem for SLE patients treated with TW.