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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 an independent risk factor for stroke and death
Anna Nordström1, Marie Eriksson, Birgitta Stegmayr
1Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. anna.nordstrom @ idrott.umu.se
Insights
Low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis are independent predictors of stroke and death. This study highlights a significant link between bone health and cardiovascular outcomes, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Bone Metabolism
Background:
- Emerging evidence suggests a link between atherosclerotic disease and osteoporosis.
- Osteoporosis is a growing public health concern, particularly in aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and the risk of stroke and death.
- To determine if decreased BMD is an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events.
Main Methods:
- Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in 4,302 individuals (mean age 59 years).
- Participants were followed for a mean of 5.6 years, during which strokes and deaths were recorded.
- Statistical analyses adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.
Main Results:
- Decreased femoral neck BMD and osteoporosis were independent predictors of stroke.
- The risk of death was significantly associated with lower femoral neck BMD and the presence of osteoporosis at baseline.
- Hazard ratios indicated a substantially increased risk for stroke and death in individuals with lower BMD.
Conclusions:
- Reduced bone mineral density, specifically at the femoral neck, and osteoporosis are independently associated with an increased risk of stroke.
- These findings underscore a significant connection between bone health and cerebrovascular/mortality outcomes.
- The identified relationship between osteoporosis and stroke/death merits further research due to its public health implications.
Background:
Recent studies suggest a relationship between atherosclerotic disease and osteoporosis. The aim of the study was to investigate whether bone mineral density (BMD) was prospectively related to stroke and death.
Methods:
BMD (g/cm(2)) was measured in 4,302 men and women (mean age 59 years, range 40-75) at baseline. The main outcome measures included validated strokes and death.
Results:
After a mean follow-up time of 5.6 years (range 0-15.8 years), 139 strokes were registered and 224 subjects had died. After adjustment for age, sex and body mass index, decreased femoral neck BMD and osteoporosis were found to be independent predictors of stroke (hazard ratio, HR, for each standard deviation decrease in BMD = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.01-1.49, and HR for osteoporosis = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.11-3.30). After adjustment for the same variables, the risk of death during follow-up was related to femoral neck BMD (HR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.21-1.64) and osteoporosis at baseline (HR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.28-3.29). Adjustment also for smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes did not change any of these results.
Conclusions:
We found that decreased BMD as well as osteoporosis of the femoral neck are independently associated with stroke and death. Given the impact of osteoporosis and stroke on morbidity and mortality, this relationship is of high interest for further studies.
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