Relationship between mammography breast density and bone mineral density

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Mammography breast density (MBD) and bone mineral density (BMD) are established breast cancer risk factors.
• Both MBD and BMD are heritable and influenced by estrogens, suggesting a potential common pathway.
• Understanding the relationship between MBD and BMD is crucial for comprehensive breast cancer risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between mammography breast density and bone mineral density at the hip and spine in Kuwaiti women.
• To explore potential correlations between MBD and BMD, considering factors like obesity and menopausal status.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of mammograms and BMD data from 248 Kuwaiti women.
• BMD measurements using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine and total hip.
• Classification of women based on World Health Organization criteria for BMD and Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System for MBD.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant correlation was found between mammography breast density and bone mineral density at the hip or spine.
• Adjusting for obesity and menopausal status did not reveal any significant association.
• A significant difference in body weight was observed across different mammography breast density categories.

Conclusions:

• Mammography breast density and bone mineral density are not significantly correlated in the studied Kuwaiti female population.
• Body weight is a significant factor associated with mammography breast density.
• Further research may be needed to explore other potential influencing factors on the MBD-BMD relationship.