Association between bone mineral density and C-reactive protein in a large population-based sample

Area of Science:

• Bone health research
• Inflammatory markers and skeletal integrity
• Population-based health studies

Background:

• Chronic inflammatory diseases are linked to reduced bone mineral density (BMD).
• Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels correlate with lower BMD in specific demographics.
• The association between CRP and BMD in the general population requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between BMD and CRP levels.
• To analyze this association in a large, representative US population sample.
• Utilize data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Main Methods:

• Included participants aged ≥20 years with BMD measurements (dual x-ray absorptiometry).
• Employed multivariate linear regression models to assess the association between CRP and BMD.
• Adjusted for confounders, comorbidities, medications, and serum vitamin D levels.

Main Results:

• The sample comprised 10,475 participants across diverse racial/ethnic groups.
• BMD was inversely and dose-dependently associated with CRP quintiles in both men and women.
• This association remained significant after adjusting for various confounders and vitamin D levels.

Conclusions:

• CRP levels are inversely and independently associated with total BMD in a dose-dependent manner.
• Findings are applicable to both men and women within a large, representative population.
• Highlights CRP as a potential indicator related to bone health in the general population.