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Relationships between bone and skin atrophies during aging
D Chappard1, C Alexandre, J M Robert
1Laboratoire de Biologie du Tissu Osseux, Faculté de Médecine, Saint-Etienne, France.
Acta Anatomica
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Measuring skinfold thickness can help identify women at risk for osteoporosis. This simple method correlates with bone mineral density (BMD) and may guide referrals for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Orthopedics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Bone mineral density (BMD) decreases with age, increasing fracture risk.
- Skin aging also occurs with age, involving changes in connective tissue.
- A potential link between skin and bone health due to shared collagen composition exists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between skinfold thickness and bone mineral density (BMD) in older women.
- To explore skinfold thickness as a potential non-invasive marker for bone health assessment.
Main Methods:
- Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to measure vertebral and femoral BMD in 133 women (mean age 61.7 years).
- Skinfold thickness was measured using calipers on the hand.
- Statistical analysis correlated skinfold thickness with age and BMD.
Main Results:
- A significant negative correlation was observed between skinfold thickness and age (r = -0.623).
- Both vertebral and femoral BMD decreased with age.
- Skinfold thickness showed significant positive correlations with vertebral (r = 0.364) and femoral BMD (r = 0.486).
Conclusions:
- Skinfold thickness is significantly correlated with bone mineral density in women.
- Age-related skin and bone atrophy may share common genetic mechanisms.
- Skinfold thickness measurement could aid in identifying women who require DEXA scans for osteoporosis risk assessment.