Gender differences in normal age-dependent patterns of radial bone structure and density: a cross-sectional study...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Gerontology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Trabecular bone structure is crucial for bone strength and fracture resistance.
• Understanding age-related changes and gender differences in bone microarchitecture is vital for assessing skeletal health.
• High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) enables detailed analysis of bone structure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gender-specific differences in age-dependent patterns of radial trabecular bone structure.
• To compare bone density and structural indices between men and women.
• To evaluate the potential of structural indices in identifying fracture risk.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 145 adult volunteers (57 men).
• HR-pQCT scans of the nondominant forearm's ultradistal radius.
• Analysis of trabecular structure indices: connectivity index (CI), mean hole size (H(A)), and maximum hole size (H(M)).
• Determination of bone density.

Main Results:

• Men showed significantly higher CI, lower H(A), and greater bone density than women (p < 0.01).
• CI decreased with age in both sexes, but more rapidly in women (-2.2%/yr vs. -0.8%/yr).
• Age-related increases in H(A) and H(M) were significant in women but not in men.
• Trabecular bone structure changed more significantly with age than bone density in both sexes.

Conclusions:

• Significant gender differences exist in radial trabecular bone structure and its age-related decline.
• Women experience a more pronounced age-related deterioration in bone structure compared to men.
• Assessing trabecular bone structural indices may enhance the identification of individuals at risk for distal radius fractures.