Total and regional bone mineral content in relation to menopause

Total body bone mineral content (TBBM) and anatomical region bone mineral content (head, trunk and extremities) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 188 women aged 60 +/- 6 years, of whom 154 were normal and 34 were osteoporotic. Of the 154 normal subjects, 90 were premenopausal (40 aged 44 +/- 3 years and 50 aged 34 +/- 8 years), the remaining 64 being postmenopausal and aged 58 +/- 7 years. There were no TBBM or regional changes in the premenopausal women, whereas there was a significant reduction in bone mineral content in the postmenopausal as compared with the premenopausal women in all regions. The osteoporotic subjects showed a general decrease (P < 0.001) in all measurements which was more marked in the trunk. The rate of TBBM reduction was 16% in the normal postmenopausal women and 29% in the osteoporotic subjects. All the postmenopausal women (both normal and osteoporotic) showed lower TBBM values than those in the Wisconsin trial, similar results being obtained in the case of the premenopausal group. Such differences can only be explained by hardship experienced by these now postmenopausal women during their childhood and adolescence.