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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Low bone mineral density is not associated with angiographically determined coronary atherosclerosis in men
1Vorarlberg Institute for Vascular Investigation and Treatment, Feldkirch, Austria.
Insights
Low bone mineral density (BMD) is common in men undergoing coronary angiography. However, this study found no association between low BMD and coronary artery disease (CAD) in this population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- The relationship between low bone mineral density (BMD) and coronary atherosclerosis in men has not been previously investigated.
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant health concern, and understanding its risk factors is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between BMD and angiographically determined coronary atherosclerosis in men.
- To determine if osteopenia or osteoporosis is linked to a higher prevalence of CAD.
Main Methods:
- 623 men undergoing coronary angiography for suspected or established CAD were enrolled.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) was identified by lumen narrowing on angiography; significant stenosis was defined as >=50% narrowing.
Main Results:
- The study included 623 men (mean age 64 years).
- 33.2% had osteopenia and 10.4% had osteoporosis.
- Neither osteopenia nor osteoporosis was associated with increased prevalence of CAD or significant coronary stenoses in multivariate analysis. BMD as a continuous variable also showed no association with CAD.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of low BMD was observed in men undergoing coronary angiography.
- Low BMD, including osteopenia and osteoporosis, is not associated with the presence or severity of coronary atherosclerosis in men.
Unlabelled:
This study for the first time investigates the association of bone mineral density (BMD) with angiographically determined coronary atherosclerosis in men. Our data show that the prevalence of low BMD is very high in men undergoing coronary angiography. However, neither osteopenia nor osteoporosis is associated with an increased prevalence of angiographically determined coronary atherosclerosis.
Introduction:
The association of low BMD with angiographically determined coronary atherosclerosis in men is unknown.
Methods:
We enrolled 623 consecutive men undergoing coronary angiography for the evaluation of established or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). BMD was assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry. CAD was diagnosed in the presence of any coronary artery lumen narrowing at angiography; coronary stenoses with lumen narrowing > or =50% were considered significant.
Results:
From the total study cohort (mean age of 64 +/- 11 years), 207 patients (33.2%) had osteopenia and 65 (10.4%) had osteoporosis; at angiography, CAD was diagnosed in 558 patients (89.6%) and 403 (64.7%) had significant coronary stenoses. In multivariate logistic regression analysis neither osteopenia nor osteoporosis was associated with an increased prevalence of CAD (adjusted odds ratios (ORs) = 0.71 [95% confidence interval 0.40-1.23]; p = 0.222 and 1.03 [0.38-2.80]; p = 0.955, respectively) or with significant coronary stenoses (OR 0.74 [0.52-1.07], p = 0.112 and 0.72 [0.41-1.26]; p = 0.251, respectively). Also, as a continuous variable, BMD was not associated with angiographically diagnosed CAD.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of low BMD is very high in men undergoing coronary angiography. However, low BMD is not associated with angiographically determined coronary atherosclerosis in men.
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