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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
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Longitudinal Evaluation of Mouse Hind Limb Bone Loss After Spinal Cord Injury using Novel, in vivo, Methodology
Published on: December 7, 2011
Bone mineral density at the hip predicts mortality in elderly men
1Clinical Gerontology Unit, University of Cambridge, UK. dpt21@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Summary
Low hip bone density is a strong predictor of mortality in older men. Lower bone mineral density (BMD) significantly increases the risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Osteoporosis Research
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Low bone density is linked to mortality in elderly populations.
- Previous studies primarily used calcaneal ultrasound for assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between hip bone density and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in elderly men.
- To determine if hip bone density is an independent predictor of mortality.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 65-76 year old men from general practices in Cambridge (1991-1995).
- Measured bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.
- Followed participants for vital status up to December 1999 and analyzed mortality using Cox proportional hazards models.
Main Results:
- BMD was inversely related to all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.
- A 1 SD increase in total hip BMD was associated with a 0.77 relative risk for all-cause mortality and 0.76 for cardiovascular mortality.
- These associations remained significant after adjusting for multiple risk factors and lifestyle variables.
Conclusions:
- Low bone density at the hip is a significant and independent predictor of mortality in older men.
- Hip BMD assessment may aid in identifying elderly men at higher risk for mortality.
- Further research could explore interventions to improve bone density and reduce mortality risk.
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