Bone mineral density in adults with Down syndrome

Area of Science:

• Bone Metabolism and Endocrinology
• Genetics and Human Health
• Gerontology and Aging Studies

Background:

• Down syndrome (DS) is associated with a high prevalence of osteoporosis in adulthood.
• Bone mineral density (BMD) in individuals with DS may be underestimated due to short stature.
• Age-related decline in BMD and its gender associations in DS are not well-understood compared to the general population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess variations in BMD with age and gender in adults with DS.
• To compare BMD data in adults with DS against the general population, adjusting for anthropometric differences.
• To evaluate the rate of age-related BMD decline in DS.

Main Methods:

• Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to assess BMD in 234 adults with DS (aged 18+).
• Bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) was calculated.
• Data were compared with the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2010 dataset.

Main Results:

• Adults with DS exhibited significantly lower mean BMD and BMAD at both the lumbar spine and femoral neck compared to the NHANES cohort.
• Age was significantly associated with lower femoral neck BMAD, with a stronger association observed in the DS sample.
• No significant association between age and lumbar spine BMAD was found in either sample.

Conclusions:

• Adults with Down syndrome have lower bone mineral density than the general population.
• Individuals with DS experience a more rapid age-related decline in bone density, increasing fracture risk.
• Early screening for osteoporosis is recommended for the DS population.