Rheumatic immune diseases are a group of diseases caused by abnormalities in the immune system. Representative diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout, systemic lupus erythematosus, dry syndrome, leukoarthritis, and dermatomyositis. The main reason for this is that the immune balance in the body is disrupted and the immune system overproduces killer cells or molecules that can kill healthy cells in their own bodies. Such patients are often particularly prone to osteoporosis in the development of their disease as well as in the course of its treatment. For this reason, doctors often give calcium and vitamin D3 supplements in addition to the usual hormones and immunosuppressants when treating rheumatic immune diseases. You should not underestimate these two drugs, although they are not direct treatment drugs, but they are very helpful and necessary to prevent osteoporosis in rheumatoid immune patients, and must be taken consistently. Why are rheumatoid immune patients particularly prone to osteoporosis? This is because the main component of our bones is calcium, which needs to be supplemented from food. During the treatment of rheumatic immune diseases, hormone therapy is often given (most of the drugs have the word “loose” in their names), and hormone is a “culprit” that can make the fracture loose, because hormone can inhibit the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the small intestine, increase the urinary calcium The hormone can inhibit the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the small intestine and increase the excretion of calcium in the urine, which causes secondary hyperparathyroidism and a significant increase in the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), and the continuous increase in the level of PTH can make osteoporosis. Scientists have found that if the dose of prednisone applied is greater than 5mg per day and the duration of medication is more than 3 months, it may lead to osteoporosis, at this time, attention should be paid to review the bone density to see if there is osteoporosis and start medication; for patients who are older than 65 years old or have had previous fractures, if hormones are needed and the duration of medication is expected to be at least 3 months, calcium supplements should be given to If hormones are needed for patients older than 65 years old or who have had previous fractures, and if the duration of hormones is expected to be at least 3 months, calcium supplements should be given to prevent osteoporosis. Of course, it is important not to talk about “hormones”. Some patients go to the other extreme of stopping hormonal drugs in secret because they are afraid of the side effects of hormones. First of all, hormones are probably the most effective drugs for treating rheumatic immune diseases. If patients do not stop using hormones under the guidance of their doctors, they may delay the treatment of their diseases, and thus lose more than they gain. Therefore, reducing or stopping the dosage of hormones is an important therapeutic step, and it is safest to get the doctor’s permission before making adjustments. With the right amount of medication, timely adjustment and good time control, it is possible to use hormones to achieve therapeutic effects while avoiding the side effects of osteoporosis. In addition, the pain in the patient’s bones and joints also makes the patient exercise less, which may further aggravate osteoporosis, so patients with arthritis should still be more active if possible. Although more sunlight can increase the synthesis of vitamin D3 and promote the absorption of calcium, some patients with rheumatic immune diseases need to avoid light, such as patients with lupus erythematosus. Therefore, we hope that you will ask your doctor about the details when you visit him/her.