Relationship between Bone Health Biomarkers and Cardiovascular Risk in a General Adult Population

Purpose/Introduction: Osteoporosis (OP) and cardiovascular (CV) disease emerge as closely related conditions, showing common risk factors and/or pathophysiological mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between bone health markers (BHM) and individual CV risk factors and overall CV risk (FRAMINGHAM-FRS, and PROCAM scores) in a general adult population.

In 103 subjects (21 males; age: 56 ± 12 years), vitamin D (25(OH)D), osteocalcin (OC), bone alkaline phospatase (BALP), procollagen I aminoterminal propeptide (P1NP), CTx-telopeptide, as well clinical history and life style were evaluated.

Aging (p < 0.001) and glycemia (p < 0.05) emerged as independent 25(OH)D predictors. Aging (p < 0.001), male sex (p < 0.05), and obesity (p < 0.05) represented independent OC determinants. Aging (p < 0.05) was the only independent BALP determinant. After multivariate adjustment, low 25(OH)D (<20 ng/mL) (Odds ratio OR (95% confidence intervals CI)) (5 (1.4-18) p < 0.05) and elevated OC (>75th percentile-16.6 ng/mL) (6.7 (1.9-23.8) p < 0.01) were found to be significant FRS predictors, while subjects with elevated OC and/or BALP (>75th percentile-9.8 μg/L) showed a higher CV risk as estimated by PROCAM (3.6 (1.2-10.7) p < 0.05). CTx and P1NP did not significantly correlate with CV risk factors or scores.

As we go further into bone and CV physiology, it is evident that a close relationship exists between these diseases. Further studies are needed to investigate mechanisms by which bone turnover markers are related to metabolic risk and could modulate CV risk. This knowledge may help to develop possible multiple-purpose strategies for both CV disease and OP prevention and treatment.