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Bone mineral density and atherosclerosis: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, Abdominal Aortic Calcium Study

Joseph A Hyder1, Matthew A Allison, Elizabeth Barrett-Connor

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. joseph.a.hyder@gmail.com

Atherosclerosis
|October 13, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Lower bone mineral density is linked to atherosclerosis in men and calcified plaques in both sexes. This study explores the population-level connection between bone integrity and arterial disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Bone Biology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Previous molecular studies suggest a link between bone and arterial diseases.
  • Population-level associations and shared risk factors remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate population-level associations between atherosclerosis and bone integrity.
  • To determine if bone density relates to arterial structure and plaque characteristics.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).
  • Measured volumetric trabecular lumbar bone mineral density (vBMD), ankle-brachial index (ABI), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and carotid plaque echogenicity.
  • Analyzed data from 904 post-menopausal women and 929 men, adjusting for multiple risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Lower vBMD correlated with lower ABI and greater internal carotid artery IMT in men.
  • Carotid plaque echogenicity was independently associated with lower vBMD in both men and women.
  • Common carotid artery IMT showed no association with vBMD in either sex.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced vBMD is independently associated with atherosclerosis measures in men.
  • Lower vBMD is linked to more advanced and calcified carotid plaques in both men and women.
  • Findings highlight a significant association between bone health and cardiovascular disease markers.
Abstract

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