Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the vertebral (L2-L4) and femoral (neck) bone mineral density (BMD) of normal white women. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We measured the BMD of 724 women (40-79 kg; 20-69 years-age) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Data were analysed as a function of age and body weight (BW). RESULTS: Thinner women (40-49 kg) attained maximal vertebral and femoral BMD (mBMD) at ages between 30-39 years, while heavier women (60-79 kg) already had the mBMD by the age of 20. At the femur, there was a significant mBMD-BW correlation (r = 0.97; p < 0.001; slope = 0.72%/kg). At the spine, only the 40-49 Kg women exhibited lower mBMD when compared to the others (p < 0.001). The decrease of the vertebral BMD was more intense (-8.3 vs. -5.7%/decade) and started earlier (fourth vs. fifth decade) in women weighting 40-59 kg, as compared to those weighting 60-79 kg. The decrease of the femoral BMD was initiated just after mBMD was achieved and, at the age of 69, heavier women showed a decrease that was 5.3% lower than those weighting 40-49 kg. The vertebral BMD of the Brazilian women was practically the same as reported for a North-American population. CONCLUSIONS: (i) Vertebral and femoral BMD of this Brazilian population varied with age similarly to other white female populations; (ii) provided that appropriate corrections are made for BW, the BMD of Brazilian women is comparable to the BMD of North-Americans; and (iii) the BW is important both in acquisition and decline of bone mass, as it influences the relation BMD-age.
Translated title of the contribution | Vertebral and femoral bone mineral density of 724 caucasian Brazilian women: influence of age and body weight |
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Original language | Portuguese |
Pages (from-to) | 127-136 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira (1992) |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1997 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine