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Progression of aortic calcification is associated with metacarpal bone loss during menopause: a population-based
A E Hak1, H A Pols, A M van Hemert
1Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Erasmus University Medical School, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Progression of aortic calcification, a marker of atherosclerosis, is linked to increased bone loss in women during menopause. This study highlights a significant association between cardiovascular calcification and osteoporosis risk in postmenopausal women.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Bone Metabolism
- Menopause Research
Background:
- Atherosclerosis and osteoporosis are significant health concerns for postmenopausal women.
- Previous research suggests a potential link between these conditions, but progression has not been studied.
- This study investigates the relationship between atherosclerotic calcification progression and bone loss during menopause.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between the progression of aortic calcification and metacarpal bone loss in women during menopause.
- To assess the cross-sectional relationship between aortic calcification extent and bone mass/density in postmenopausal women.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 236 premenopausal women (aged 45-57) followed for 9 years.
- Radiographic detection of aortic calcification and metacarpal radiogrammetry for bone assessment.
- Cross-sectional analysis in 720 postmenopausal women correlating calcification with bone parameters.
Main Results:
- 25% of women showed progression of aortic calcification during menopause.
- Women with aortic calcification progression experienced significantly greater bone mass and density loss (P<0.05).
- A graded inverse association was observed between aortic calcification extent and bone mass/density in postmenopausal women.
Conclusions:
- Progression of atherosclerotic calcification is associated with accelerated bone loss in women during the menopausal transition.
- Findings suggest a shared pathway or risk factors contributing to both atherosclerosis and osteoporosis.
- This highlights the importance of monitoring bone health in women with signs of cardiovascular calcification.
Abstract:
offerosclerosis and osteoporosis are major causes of morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women and have been suggested to be associated. No study has examined whether progression of atherosclerotic calcification is associated with bone loss. In the present study, we examined progression of aortic calcification, diagnosed by radiographic detection of calcified deposits in the abdominal aorta, in relation to metacarpal bone loss, as assessed by metacarpal radiogrammetry, during menopause. Initially premenopausal women (n=236), aged 45 to 57 years at baseline, were followed for 9 years. We additionally assessed the cross-sectional association between the extent of aortic calcification and metacarpal bone mass and density in 720 postmenopausal women. Twenty-five percent of women going through menopause showed progression of aortic calcification. The average loss of metacarpal bone mass among women with progression of aortic calcification was 3.2 mm(2), and their loss of metacarpal bone density was 7.2 mm(2) %, whereas in women without progression of aortic calcification, these losses were 2.0 mm(2) and 5.6 mm(2) %, respectively, adjusted for age and years of follow-up (P<0.05). Additional adjustment for age at menopause, body mass index, blood pressure, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and use of hormone replacement therapy, thiazide, and loop diuretics did not influence these results. In postmenopausal women, a graded inverse cross-sectional association between the extent of aortic calcification and metacarpal bone mass and density was found. In conclusion, our results indicate that progression of atherosclerotic calcification is associated with increased bone loss in women during menopause.