Relationship between carotid or coronary artery calcification and osteoporosis in the elderly

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between senile osteoporosis and calcified plaques in the arteries and to study the common potential risk factors for loss of bone mass and calcified plaques in the arteries.

Eligible patients (≥60 years old) who received treatment in our hospital from January 2016 to December2016 were included in this study. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Multivariate regression model was used to analyze the correlation of osteoporosis and loss of bone mass with the risk of calcified plaques in the carotid and coronary arteries.

Compared with plaque-free group, patients in the group with calcified plaques were older with a lower BMD, more cases of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, higher levels of osteoprotegerin and leptin in serum and lower levels of serum adiponectin and 25 (OH) D. Severe loss of bone mass, osteoporosis and decreased serum level of 25 (OH) D were correlated with the occurrence of calcified plaques in the arteries after confounding factors such as age were adjusted. Severe loss of bone mass was remarkably correlative with the risk of calcified plaques and coexisting calcified plaques in the carotid and coronary arteries after confounding factors such as age were adjusted.

Osteoporosis and severe loss of bone mass are closely related to plaques in the carotid and coronary arteries. The elderly population with severe low bone mass is the key target population for the prevention of cardiovascular events.