An update in bone mineral density status in Spain: the OsteoSER study

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Public Health
• Gerontology

Background:

• Established bone mineral density (BMD) reference data for the Spanish population originated from the 1989 Multicenter Research Project on Osteoporosis (MRPO).
• The OsteoSER study was initiated to update these crucial BMD reference data for the contemporary Spanish population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the distribution of BMD in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip for Spanish individuals aged 20 years and older.
• To compare the updated Spanish BMD data with established reference data from the MRPO and the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III).

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study involving 1522 White Spanish participants aged 20-80 years.
• Participants were recruited from urban and rural areas, with selection stratified by sex, age, and body mass index (BMI).
• Bone mineral density was measured using a Hologic® Horizon W densitometer.

Main Results:

• Peak bone mass was observed in both sexes between 20-39 years across all measured skeletal sites.
• BMD showed positive associations with height, BMI, and physical activity, and a negative association with smoking.
• Osteopenia affected 54.4% and osteoporosis 10.7% of adults aged 50 years and older, with higher prevalence in women and increasing rates with age.

Conclusions:

• The bone mineral density reference data from the OsteoSER study align closely with previous MRPO and NHANES III findings.
• Physical activity plays a significant role in achieving peak bone mass, whereas smoking exerts detrimental effects on bone health.
• The study highlights the high prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in the Spanish population over 50, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.