Inflammatory indices and bone density in osteoporosis: A cross-sectional study

Osteoporosis and osteopenia, prevalent metabolic bone disorders, increase fracture risk, particularly in postmenopausal women. Chronic inflammation may contribute to bone loss. The association between inflammatory indices and bone mineral density (BMD) was investigated.

A cross-sectional analysis involving 99 patients over the age of 40 at the Ilam Rheumatology Clinic (2019-2022) evaluated BMD using the Hologic Discovery Wi DXA and assessed blood indices with the Sysmex XN-1000. Statistical analyses, including T-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation, were conducted utilizing SPSS version 16, with significance set at P < 0.05.

Among 99 patients (78.8% female, mean age 55.8 ± 9.7 years), the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) exhibited significant elevation in cases of osteoporosis (2.710 ± 0.610, P = 0.001) and osteopenia (2.230 ± 0.530, P = 0.001) than in normal BMD (1.840 ± 0.450). The BMD exhibited a negative correlation with the NLR (r = -0.430, P = 0.001) and the PLR (r = -0.370, P = 0.002). Patients with osteoporosis exhibited the lowest bone mineral density in the lumbar spine (P < 0.001).

Increased levels of NLR and PLR correlate with diminished BMD, suggesting their potential as cost-effective biomarkers for osteoporosis risk assessment. Monitoring these indices could enhance early diagnosis and prevention strategies in at-risk populations.