Microscopic hematuria is associated with low bone mineral density in aged women and men

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Osteology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Renal and urological factors influencing osteoporosis risk remain largely uncharacterized.
• Understanding these associations is crucial for comprehensive bone health management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between urinalysis findings and bone mineral density (BMD) in a large cohort of Japanese adults aged 50 and above.
• To identify potential renal or urological indicators associated with reduced bone density.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 4,835 Japanese adults (3,683 women, 1,152 men) aged 50+ who underwent health check-ups.
• Bone mineral density (BMD) of the distal radius and ulna was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
• Urine analysis assessed protein, and counts of red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) in urine sediment.

Main Results:

• Urinary RBCs demonstrated a significant association with forearm BMD in both women and men, even after adjusting for confounders.
• Higher counts of RBCs in urine sediment correlated with lower bone mineral density.
• No significant association was found between urinary protein or WBCs and BMD in this cohort.

Conclusions:

• Microscopic hematuria (presence of RBCs in urine) is associated with reduced forearm bone mineral density in Japanese adults aged 50 and over.
• This suggests a potential link between subclinical renal abnormalities and bone health.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms connecting urinary findings and osteoporosis.