Relation between bone mineral density, bone loss and the risk of cardiovascular disease in a Chinese cohort

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoporosis share some common risk factors such as old age, smoking, alcoholic drinking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. Although previous studies have investigated the association of bone mineral density (BMD) with CVD, the results were conflicting. There are limited studies on the association of BMD loss rate with CVD. We therefore conducted a 5-year prospective study to examine the relation among BMD, bone loss, and risk of CVD in a Chinese cohort. Of 9,657 community residents 30 to 75 years old, 6,092 were enrolled in the study and followed annually for 5 years. At baseline demographic data, BMD, smoking and drinking statuses, medical history, and blood samples were collected. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to evaluate the association of BMD and incidence of CVD. Over the 5-year follow-up period, CVD developed in 118 subjects. Baseline BMD, bone loss rate, current smoking, daily alcoholic ingestion, and higher osteoprotegerin and leptin levels were independently associated with increased risk of CVD, whereas higher baseline adiponectin level was associated with decreased risk of CVD in women and men. In conclusion, uncovering the relation linking osteoporosis and CVD is important for understanding the pathogenesis of these 2 common disorders.